64 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Grooved weights. In certain localities naturally formed ovate 

 pebbles of quartz or other water-washed stone are grooved around 

 the long diameter. The grooves are distinct and are picked or 

 beaten in by percussion. Just what these objects are is not certain 

 for they may have been used as bola stones, as net weights, or 

 inclosed in rawhide envelopes as loose heads of small war clubs. 

 They are found in western New York sparingly, along the Genesee, 

 about Irondequoit bay, in the Mohawk valley (rarely), in the 

 Schoharie valley, about Otsego lake and along the Hudson. Many 

 specimens have been found on Algonkian sites near Coxsackie. 

 Skinner illustrates some from coastal sites in New York. 



Sinew stones. Sandstone pebbles are sometimes found, having 

 the surfaces and edges abraded and worn in such a manner as to 

 resemble large pieces of beeswax upon which cords or shoemaker's 

 thread had been rubbed. Many of these implements are neatly made 

 and the grooves are regular. They are commonly called sinew stones 

 from the idea that they were used for smoothing thongs and sinew 

 cords. This seems to be a possible use. A surprisingly large 

 number are abruptly broken so that complete specimens are com- 

 paratively rare. Complete sinew stones are rarer than bird stones in 

 New York. (See plate 136.) 



Plummets. Stone plummets are among the rarer of the prob- 

 lematical objects found within the State. A number of specimens 

 have been found along the Seneca river and near Oneida lake, 

 others northward along Lake Champlain. Two fine specimens found 

 by Prof. D. F. Thompson are of picked limestone. They were 

 found at Green Island, N. Y., and are similar to specimens 

 from Maine. Other specimens of this variety have been found 

 along the Hoosick river which flows as a boundary between Wash- 

 ington and Rensselaer counties. Two specimens from Brewerton 

 have necks less well defined with a groove running over the top. 

 Another variety of plummets made of polished talc comes from 

 Jefferson county. One specimen is cigar-shaped with a knob 

 formed at the blunt end probably as a means of suspension. One 

 from Lysander made from a natural pebble slightly worked has 

 this same characteristic, but with the addition of tally marks on one 

 side. A finely finished specimen is from Caughdenoy, Oswego 

 county. None of the plummets from this area are polished. Plum- 

 mets do not occur on all Algonkian sites, and indeed it is a question 

 whether or not some of them do not belong to another culture quite 

 different from that which we recognize as Algonkian. Ungrooved 

 axes, gouges, wide arrow points and spears are associated with 

 plummets. (See plate 10.) 



