786 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895. 



and filed down to a narrower width than that hidden from view. The 

 point measures - 3 % of an inch in height and is only about 7^ of an inch 

 thick. The front edge is not at right angles to the sides, and thus 

 furnishes a better and sharper cutting edge. 



The third or middle specimen (fig. 3) is from the same locality as the 

 preceding. The handle consists of two pieces of bone, so arranged as 

 to unite smoothly and also to hold in place a piece of steel, which has 

 been sunk partly in each half of the handle by means of a slot made 

 by sawing. The two pieces are finally tied together with a sinew cord. 

 The apex of the graver is rather more acute than in the preceding 

 specimen. 



The back of the tool is also ground to a cutting edge, to be used 

 in scraping smooth such surfaces requiring treatment previous to 

 engraving. 



An interesting specimen occupies the fourth place in the series (fig. 

 4). This is from Port Clarence, where it was obtained by Mr. W. H. 

 Dall. The two pieces of bone composing the handle are secured to one 

 another by means of a peg passing vertically through them, and two 

 wooden pegs, of no special use apparently, are inserted in handle trans 

 versely. Like in the preceding, a slot has been made with the front of 

 each piece so as to secure the flat piece of metal constituting the blade. 

 The point is neatly finished, and it will be observed has a very acute 

 tip turned downward so as to afiford the best possible means for fine 

 engraving in hard material. The two pieces of handle are tied together 

 with a leather or skin thong. The entire length is 4J inches. 



The fifth and lower specimen (fig 5) is from Cape Nome, and was 

 secured by Mr. E. W. Nelson. The handle is composed of two pieces 

 of walrus ivory ; two pegs pass vertically through them to hold them 

 together, while the broad blade is, as usual, inserted in slots made in 

 both pieces of handle. The wrapping consists of sinew or hide, being 

 so covered with a layer of hard grease and dirt as to prevent identifica 

 tion. The front edge of the instrument is at an angle sufficient to 

 furnish an excellent cutting edge. The entire length is 4-^ inches. 



In addition to the above remarks concerning the second specimen, it 

 is of interest to call attention to the fact that upon the right-hand side of 

 the handle there occurs a rounded cavity, made with a rude implement, 

 which may have been intended for use in drilling by steadying the 

 drill at the top. Such depressions and for such purposes are not rare. 



Mr. L. M. Turner, Captain Herendeen, and others to whom reference 

 is made elsewhere state that formerly the natives used fragments of 

 flint or quartz with which to engrave and decorate specimens of ivory, 

 bone, and other materials used for utensils and weapons. The small 

 fragments of siliceous material were inserted in the end of wood or bone 

 handles, though sometimes they were large enough to use without the 

 aid of a handle. 



After a careftil examination of all the engraved specimens of Alaskan 



