86 



which was probably grooved along its under side to fit 

 over the sharp back of the knife. In common with the 

 other slate knives, this specimen was finished with care 

 and is perfectly smooth and well sharpened along its cut- 

 ting edge. 



Evans, in his instructive work on the "Ancient Stone 

 Implements of Great Britian," mentions (p. 311) that in 

 some Esquimaux knives the blade is tied to a wooden back 

 by a cord which passes through a hole in the blade. 



It would thus seem that our New England Indians, for 

 to them I think we must look as the makers and owners 

 of the knives I have specially described, were not satis- 

 fied with using simple flakes of stone and broken arrow 

 and spear heads for knives, but that with them as with us 

 to-day there were many, and often elaborate, styles of this 

 most useful implement, and who can say that to possess a 

 good knife was not as much the ambition of the men of 

 the departed race as it is with those who have succeeded 

 them? 



Messrs. Charles D. Styles, John H. Derby, George F. 

 Breed, Samuel Edson Cassino and Matthew Robson, all 

 of Salem, and John G. Barker of Lynn, were duly elected 

 resident members. 



A committee, consisting of Messrs. John Robinson, 

 James Kimball, E. S. Atwood and Caleb Cooke, was 

 appointed to nominate officers to be balloted for at the 

 annual meeting. The president and secretary were after- 

 wards added to the committee. 



Adjourned. 



