32 RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IX NOVA SCOTIA PIERS. 



cutting tools. Owing to this uncertainty as to the method of use, 

 Dr. Wilson of the U. S. National Museum, in his Study of Pre- 

 historic Archaeology (1890), treats of all these implements under 

 the general head of " arrow- or spear-heads, or knives." 



Two specimens (Figs. 1 2) are leaf-shaped with rounded 

 (convex) bases. The proportions and finish of one of these 

 (Fig. 2) makes it possible that it may have been a leaf-shaped 

 implement either intended to be hafted as a knife, or else inserted 

 in the head of a club. In appearance it resembles some of the 

 palaeolithic implements of Europe, and it probably belongs to 

 that hitherto much neglected class of aboriginal remains which 

 Dr. Wilson considers to be indicative of a palaeolithic period in 

 American archaeology. Professor Wilson's researches in this 

 direction are most interesting and important, and open a new 

 and wide field for investigation.* 



Another specimen (length 1*8 in.) is straight-sided with a 

 slightly concave base (Fig. 3). Five well-formed specimens (Figs. 

 4-8) are notched at the sides near the base. This class includes both 

 the largest and the smallest example (2'75 1'2 ins.). The former 

 (Fig. 4) would have been grouped with the spear-heads but for 

 its slight proportions. A sixth specimen (Fig. 9) is broken, but 

 possibly belongs to this class. Only one (Fig. 10) is stemmed and 

 has a slightly concave base. The stem, like the notched sides 

 before mentioned, was to facilitate the attachment of the head 

 to a shaft. The last specimen to be considered, is barbed and 

 stemmed (Fig. 11). It is T50 inch in length, and is neatly 

 chipped from an olive-green or slightly smoky-coloured mate- 

 rial, which from the smooth, curved surface of one side, and 

 other appearances, seems to be nothing but bottle-glass. 



An interesting account of the bows and arrows of our Indians 

 is found in the quaint account of the old French advocate before 

 quoted. The bows, saith Lescarbot, " be strong and without 

 fineness." " As for arrows," continueth he, " it is an admirable 



* Vide Thomas Wilson's " Results of an Inquiry as to the existence of Man in North 

 America during the Paleolithic Period of the Stone Age." (Report of U. S. Nat. 

 Museum, 1887-88). 



