194 



PREHISTORIC FISHING. 



Illinois River, near the mouth of the Sangamon (Illinois), while United States 

 engineers were engaged in dredging-operations. This stone consists of compact 

 carboniferous sandstone of yellow color, and weighs thirty-four pounds and a 

 half. Its dimensions, as given by Dr. Snyder, are as follows : 



Diameter 



Thickness in the middle 

 Width of groove - 

 Depth of groove - 



12 inches. 

 6i " 

 li inch. 

 I " 



FIG. 342. Anchor-stone. Fouud in the Illinois River, Illinois. 



" The anchor-stone of which you have a drawing," observes Dr. Snyder, " is 

 altogether a work of art. It is not smooth, but ' pecked ' all over, probably with 

 a sharp-pointed flint. It evidently has been worked to its present dimensions 

 and shape from a rough block of sandstone by long-continued, patient labor. 

 The groove in it is neatly cut, and also shows the traces of pecking. 



" I have secured two other anchor-stones from the banks of the Illinois 

 River, since I. sent you the drawing of this one ; but neither of them is as sym- 

 metrically shaped. The largest of the two is unfinished, and consists of the 

 same kind of sandstone. The angles of the rough block have been only partially 

 pecked down, and the groove is not deep. I did not weigh it ; but I think it will 

 bear down forty-five or fifty pounds. 



" The other one is apparently natural in its form : a smooth, water-worn 



