though we may take . it as certain that stones were used 

 in order to trim the Archaeolithes subsequently used for 

 cutting purposes; and though with a certain amount of 

 prolDability we can consider a certain group- of spherical 

 Diabas pebbles as hammerstones, it will be almost impos- 

 sible to distinguish those which were used in trimming the 

 implements from the Archseolithes used for general cutting 

 purposes. 



4. ANTIQUITY OF THE AMORPHOLITHES FOUND 



IN TASMANIA. 



Having described the general features of the Amor- 

 phblitheis and their use, the question of antiquity arises, 

 as a matter of course. Even the most casual observer will 

 notice two facts, viz. : 



a. That no implements of a higher stage (Palaeo- 



lithic or Neolithic) have been found in Tas- 

 mania- 



b. That the race which used the Amorpholithes 



must of necessity have migrated to the island 

 previous to its separation from the mainlaxid 

 of Australia. 

 The fact that no stone implements of the 

 higher order have been found in Tasmania up 

 toi the present time may be taken as certain. 

 Of course this does not prove that they do not exist, but 

 inasmuch as numerous collectors have lately interested 

 themselves in these relics of the past, it is only fair to' 

 assume that stone implements of the higher orders had come 

 to light if they existed. If they exist at all, they must be 

 buried deep in the soil, or in cave deposits hitherto unex- 

 plored ; but I have the greatest doubts as to their exist- 

 ence, because if such implements were found in Tasmania 

 they would prove that either a higher civilised i^ace lived 

 in Tasmania previous to the arrival of the Aborigines, or 

 that that race degenerated since their aiTival from a 

 higher state into a lower one. Though not impossible, I 

 think both theories to be highly improbable. 



The second point is at once clear. We know that the 

 Aborigines of Tasmania possessed no knowledge of sea- 

 faring ; it is therefore absolutely certain that they cannot 

 have crossed Bass Strait, but must of necessity have 

 migrated to the present island previous to its separation 

 and inhabited it when this great geological catastrophe 

 took place. 



Now, if we examine the camping grounds on which 

 the implements are found, we notice several other interest- 



