32 



INTRODUCTION 



query is Breuil's — a I'kaniefOJi. The gravure fails to convince, 

 chiefly because les hamefons figured do not recurve in the 

 proper sense. They seem to be more in the nature of gorges 

 curved back and much improved in the course of generations. ^ 

 The evolution of the primitive gorge, in particular those 

 with ends slightly curved, into a double fish-hook was, 1 

 suggest, probably an easy process, more especially with the 

 discovery of the adaptabihty of bronze. But these gorges 

 /^ can never be properly 



termed hooks. 



The function of the 

 hook is to establish a 

 hold by penetration, 

 that of a gorge by re- 

 sistance — once down, 

 vestigia nulla relrorsion. 

 A shape with some but 

 not too great curvature 2 

 would increase such re- 

 sistance, one with more 

 would possibly give the 

 additional safeguard of 

 penetration. 



Meditation on this 

 duplication of functions 

 might lead an enquiring 

 mind to conclude that 

 penetration alone might 

 suffice for what was required. Thus farther curve might 

 be added for this ostensible purpose, with the result that in 



^ L'Anthropologie, tome xix. pp. 184-190, especially p. 187, where the 

 author attempts une reconstitution hypotMtique de la fafon, dont ceite inter- 

 prdtaHon admise, on pourrait confevoir la fixation de ces " hamefons." The 

 inverted commas do not suggest confidence. 



2 If both the ends of the gorge were as much bent up as a hook, the tendency 

 would be for the gorge, when its points got fast, to be rotated by the pull on 

 the line and to assume, owing to greater curvature, a bent-back ijosition, 

 which would allow of its easy withdrawal and defeat the object — the capture 

 of the fish. Some Santa Cruz gorges are of an angular type, but with the 

 points turned somewhat down. The double hook of bronze or cojjper, e.g. 

 of Ancient Peru, seems to support my suggestion of gorge evolution, although, 

 fair to add. it was suspended from the centre. 



BONE GORGE OR BAITHOLDERS. 



From La Madelaine. 2. From La Madelaine, 

 grooved for attaching the line. 3 and 4. 

 From Santa Cruz, California. The slight 

 curving of 3 may be possibly the first 

 step towards the more rounded gorge, and 

 eventually the bent hook. 



