26 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL. 81 
At one point, in the course of tanning, the wet hide is hung over 
the top of a post and the hair and small particles of flesh are scraped 
off with both of these types. The curved part of the blade varies 
in size and perhaps more than one scraper was used; the difference 
in the curve making it possible to get a better scraping surface. 
The third type is that of the chisel form (pl. 26, A), alarge bone 
sharpened at one end and having the joint cut off. This kind of a 
scraper or tanning tool is used to-day by many of the Indians to soften 
a hide when the tanning process is nearing the end. The form is not 
an unusual one. 
Bont BREASTPLATE 
The finding of the remains of what was unquestionably a bone breast- 
plate is of great interest, as it assists in establishing the fact that this 
form of ornament or protector is of an early date and not as recent as 
some would have us believe. The one found at Po-shu was composed 
of five or more pieces of rib bones with holes drilled a short distance 
from each end. The ribs are all graduated as to length, the longest 
being 165 mm. long and the shortest 133 mm. long. Whether the 
five pieces recovered constituted the entire breastplate or whether 
there were more pieces we are not able tosay. Careful search failed 
to reward us with any more pieces. They are all well polished and 
the ends slightly rounded. A small tip of buffalo horn accompanied 
the breastplate, but this crumbled before it could be taken out They 
were found in room 4, location 6. (PI. 27, C.) 
* 
Bone Dirks 
The length and general character of Plate 27, F,G, would indi- 
cate that they were bone dirks or daggers. The long, slender form 
of these, when in good condition, would provide a weapon that would 
be very effective at close quarters. Fis 222 mm. in length and was 
originally longer, as the point is broken off. G is 228 mm. in length 
and also has a broken point. 
Bonet TusBes or BEADS 
Tubular bone beads present a large variety of form and size; in 
length they vary from 10 mm. to 176 mm. and in diameter from 3 
mm.to 23mm. (PI. 28.) All are nicely polished and show wear. 
Plate 28, A, B, C, are interesting in that they were found together in 
room 10, location 7, and appear to give various steps in the prepara- 
tion and manufacture of the bead. D, on the same plate, has a hole 
bored through the sides in opposite direction to the hole running 
through the bone. This was found in room 238, location 3. 
There is a possibility that some of the longer tubes were not in- 
tended for beads, but might be unfinished turkey calls or flutes. Again 
