SMITHSONIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 43 



There are short pestles in which the round base is much enlarged, insomuch 

 that the object may be compared to a cone with an inwardly curved side- 

 surface. In many, however, the working part is not convex, but perfectly even, 

 which proves that they were not used in connection with mortars, but were 

 made to operate on a flat surface. Some show, moreover, a small concavity in 

 the centre of the working part, undoubtedly produced by cracking nuts or 

 other hard substances (Fig. 168, greenstone, Pennsylvania; Fig. 109, syenite, 

 Ohio). A very fine specimen from British Columbia, pertaining to the class 

 here described, is encircled by a ring-like projection below the upper end 

 (Fig. 170, greenstone). Another specimen of somewhat recent aspect, and 

 derived from Washington Territory (Fig. 171), is described on the accompa 

 nying label as an &quot;Indian hammer used to drive wooden or horn wedges to 

 split wood.&quot; This implement consists of a beautiful silicious stone of a light- 

 green color, and is worked with great care. 



The most curious and elaborate specimens of the pestle kind were brought 

 from Alaska. These tools are provided with horizontal handles terminating 

 in round plates, slightly convex on the outside. The base or working part in 

 these implements is perfectly even and smooth (Fig. 172, greenstone; appar 

 ently an old tool). 22 



Two pestles from Alaska are ornamented at the upper end with rude carv 

 ings, representing, respectively, the heads of a bird and of a quadruped, both 

 unrecognizable. A fragmentary pestle from Massachusetts bears at its upper 

 extremity the well-executed figure of a raccoon, and another specimen from 

 the same State is fashioned in imitation of the male organ of generation. 23 



It seems proper to mention in this place more or less carefully worked disc- 

 shaped stones of a size to be conveniently grasped with the hand, which, to 

 judge from the smoothness of their flat faces, were applied in triturating grain 

 or other substances (Fig. 17.3, greenstone, Georgia). In conclusion, reference 

 should be made to a class of small conoid-shaped mullers, sometimes made of 

 hematite, which may have been used for rubbing paint (Fig. 174, greenstone, 

 Ohio). Specimens of this description are not very abundant. 



17i TllbeSi Among the aboriginal relics of somewhat enigmatical char 

 acter are stone tubes of cylindrical and other shapes and various lengths, 

 which sometimes terminate at one end in a sort of moiith-piece. &quot;While the 

 smaller ones, which often measure only a few inches, have been thought to 

 represent articles of ornament, or amulets, diiferent purposes have been 

 ascribed to the larger specimens. Schoolcraft seems to consider these latter 



&quot;The writer was Informed by Mr. W. II. Dall, that sucli pestles were formerly used by the natives of 

 Alaska for mixing berries, flsh-oil, fat, etc., in the preparation of an article of food. Such implements are 

 no longer made. A few .specimens are still in the possession of the aborigines, who preserve them UK heir 

 looms. 



Several carved stone objects of this class, not forming parts of pestles, are in the collection. They 

 seem to indicate a love for the obscene rather than anything like phallic worship. 



