ARCHEOLOGICAL OBJECTS 



95 



America. In the author's collection of celts, numbering more than 

 000 specimens, it is rare to find one which is not nicked or broken at 

 the point or edge. This is due to the fact that the peons, from whom 

 the majority of these specimens were purchased, could not resist an 

 impulse to strike them against some other stone to see what would 

 happen. 



While the majority of the petaloid celts shown in plate xiii have the 

 same form, one of these is exceptional in having a depression worn on 

 two opposite edges, as if it were the beginning of a gi'oove for hafting. 

 This indentation is unique among prehistoric petaloid celts from Porto 

 Rico, but it occurs on ax-formed specimens from Santo Domingo and 

 St Vincent in the Lesser Antilles (figures ?> and -t). 



The celts shown on plate xiii have a petaloid form, but very rough 

 surfaces caused b}' erosion. Their form is not as common as that of 

 the more elongated, polished variety, and is less petaloid than that of 

 the preceding ones. Their shape is the characteristic Dominican ty])e. 



froui St Vincent. 



Flii. 4. St. me ax 1 



.In plate xiii are represented four rough axes from Santo Domingo, 

 one of which ((/) is petaloid in form. Here is shown also an unusual 

 specimen {>'), which has a notch at one side of the point. A similar but 

 somewhat exaggerated form occurs in several specimens that will be 

 considered later. The next specimen illustrated in this plate (/*) has 

 lost all semblance of the petaloid celt. It is circular in profile, with 

 notches on the opposite edges, and a rough, unpolished surface. It 

 apparently once had two cutting edges, and still shows notches indi- 

 cating the former place of attachment for the handle. The last speci- 

 men (h) has an obscure petaloid form. Imt is exceptional in having a 

 ridge at the hafting point. 'J'his form is rarely duplicated in collec- 

 tions from Porto Rico. 



The three hatchets figured in plate xiv ai'e forms seldom found in 

 existing' collections. Their essential characteristic is that shaft and 

 blade are made of one stone. There is in the Smithsonitin Museum a 



