FROM CALIFORNIA. 



19 



10 represents a specimen which appears to fully bear out this idea. It 

 is sandstone, the rough surface of which admirably adapts it for grinding 

 purposes. On either side a cavity is pecked, which 

 is clearly intended to enable the fingers to firmly 

 grasp the object. With such a tool, a suitable piece 

 of steatite could readily be worked down to the 

 cigarshaped pipes, of which such large numbers 

 have been found on the islands and on the main- 

 land in the neighborhood of Santa Barbara. 



Weights for nets. — From none of these Indians 



* , , , , , . n o i.i i j- c Vla - U) - Perforated stoiio 



was I able to obtain proof ot the employment ot llscd aa a (Iil . Sil:l , 

 perforated stones as weights to fish nets or as club- Rosa island, California, 

 heads. All disclaimed knowledge of their use for these purposes. 

 This by no means proves, however, that these disks were not formerly 

 put to these or to other uses besides those remembered. Events, 

 habits, nay, even language itself, are readily forgotten by Indians, es- 

 pecially when, as in the present case, the survivors of a tribe are few in 

 number and memory of the past is not constantly revived by conversa- 

 tion with their fellows. As to the use of perforated stones as weights 

 to fish nets, it seems to be generally conceded that some at least of the 

 many found in various parts of the world, especially near fishing 

 grounds, are to be so classed. Generally, however, stones for this pur- 

 pose seem to be roughly finished and of comparatively little value. That 

 rings requiring the time and skill for their manufacture that many of 

 the California specimens must have involved should be put to such use 

 may be doubted. As of direct pertinence in this connection I may 

 quote the reply of a Santa Barbara Indian to the question, " Why could 

 not the highly finished stones called 'plummets' or 'sinkers' have been 

 used as sinkers to a fishing line?" "Why should we make stones like- 

 that when the beach supplies sinkers in abundance ? Our sinkers were 

 beach stones, and when one was lost we picked up another/ 1 



Many specimens have undoubtedly been classed as net weights for 

 no better reason than that nothing was known of their function and it 

 was evident that they might have answered for net weights. 



With reference to this tendency, Stevens remarks: 1 



Many instances of the modern use of circular stones with (trilled holes could bo 

 given which would show the necessity lor caution in attempting to class nil the 

 ancient specimens as net sinkers. 



Spindle whorls. — That perforated disks of stone and other material 

 have been used as spindle whorls in various parts of the world there 

 is abundant evidence. Such whorls are of small size and light weight. 

 Although many of the California specimens are well adapted to this 

 function, I am inclined to consider that they were not so used, but were 

 in the nature of ornaments or charms, or were children's playthings. 

 There is nothing whatever of an historical nature to indicate that any 



1 Flint Chips, \>. '.'•"». 



