BELIQULE AQUITANICLE. 



B. PLATE XXVI. 



Implements of cut Antler showing Owner-marks and other carving. 



Fi". 1. A long tapering Harpoon or Dart-point of Antler, oblong in section, and 

 showing on one edge, towards the butt, Marks of Ownership. These consist of 

 a set of curved and oblique notches, in four pairs, each pair nearly or quite 

 meeting, on one and the same side, at a sharp angle ; and all are surmounted 

 by a strong, slightly sinuous, longitudinal notch or furrow, half as long again 

 as the set of notches. See page 195. 

 From La Madelaine. 



Figs. 2 a, b. A small lanceolate Harpoon Point, with its base slit crosswise for the 

 insertion of the bevelled end of the stem. See B. Plate XIII. figs. 2-6, and 

 page 97. The edges of the upper or tapering portion of the weapon are scored 

 across with slight notches, which occur obscurely in pairs and other groupings. 

 These may have been grooves for poison; or possibly marks for recognition. 

 See page 193. 



When fresh and sharp-pointed, no doubt Ihese lanceolate points could be 

 propelled with sufficient force to drive them into an object beyond their widest 

 part, which would thus act as a barb. The transverse notch or slit in the base 

 of this and similar weapon-heads does not seem calculated to retain them on 

 the stem, but to allow them to be left in the wounded animal, whilst the shaft 

 could be regained and fitted with another head. Mr. Gay informs us that 

 some savages (New Guinea &c.) in the present day prepare their arrows so 

 that the heads may break off easily at incised rings or notches just below ; for 

 the stems take much time and labour in preparation, and are too valuable to 

 be lost should the prey or enemy bear them off when wounded. 



From the Gorge d'Enfer. 



Fig. 3. A tapering rounded Harpoon-head, broken at the point, bevelled at the 

 butt*. This bears on one side a row of six adze-like marks, consisting of six 

 pairs of notches : one of each pair is transverse ; and the other, cut broader, 

 crosses it at one end obliquely. The transverse notches are parallel, and are, 

 as it were, the handles of the adze-marks ; and the oblique blade-like notches 



* For an account of similar Weapons, more or less ornamented, see pages 68-72, descriptive of B. Plates 

 IX. & X. 



