46 STUDIES, SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL chap. 



Numbers of flat flint hoes have been found of consider- 

 able size, having a projection like that of the best-formed 

 arrow-heads for fastening to a handle ; and some of these 

 have the outer edge highly polished, evidently by use as a 

 hoe in fine alluvial soil. Fig. 14, b, shows one of 

 these hoes or spades about fifteen inches long 

 with a hole near the base evidently for the 

 purpose of tying it more firmly to the handle ; 

 while Fig. 13 is a curious tool notched on each 

 side at the base, perhaps for the purpose of 

 cutting through roots, and with a long pro- 

 jection, giving a very firm attachment to the 

 handle. This was formed of a tough black 

 stone, perhaps basalt, and was found in Louisiana. 

 Among other tools we find numbers of ham- 

 mers, pounders, grinders, pestles and mortars, rub- 

 FiG. 13. bingstones,crushers, club-heads, weight-stones for 

 diggers, as now used by some Indians to assist 

 in piercing the earth, and many others of unknown use. 

 Fig. 14, a, and c, are some kind of knife or cutting tool, 

 the lower edge 

 being finely 

 ground, and the 

 base fastened to 

 a wooden han- 

 dle to allow of 

 great pressure. 

 Fig. 15, a, and 

 b, shows two 

 small oval pebbles carefully grooved round the longer 

 diameter, to be used apparently as well 

 secured weights. 



The great variety of cutting tools, such as 

 axes, adzes, chisels and gouges, are often 

 beautifully worked, of the hardest fine- 

 grained rocks, such as syenite or h^iematite, 

 and are sometimes highly polished. The gouges especially 

 are often deeply hollowed out and ground to a perfect 

 cutting edge. 



The tools and household implements here noted show 



