1-EWKEs] ARCHEOLOGICAL OBJECTS 111 



TlIREK-PoiNTEU StONES 



The objects inrludcd in thi.s group are characterized by three pro- 

 jections or points. The form of these projections suggested mamnne 

 to Professor Mason, and led him to designate them in his catalogue of 

 the Latimer collection mammiform stones. But this appellation does 

 not apply, as will be seen later, to certain types of these objects, and 

 since all types possess three projections the name three-pointed is a 

 more appropriate terin by which to designate them. These three 

 projections may be called the anterior, the posterior, and the conoid. 

 The first two are situated at the ends of the slightly concave flat side, 

 which may be called the base. 



If we suppose the object set on this side the conoid projection is sit- 

 uated directly opposite the base. It will be found that its apex, except 

 in rare cases, tips slightly toward the anterior point. The anterior 

 projection in most instances is modified into a head, but in a type from 

 which this head is absent the conoid projection still tips somewhat 

 toward one point, which, on that account, may ])e called the anterior 

 projection. 



The geographical distril)ution of three-pointed stones is confined to 

 a single region of the \Vest Indies, nanielj', Porto Pico and the adjacent 

 eastern end of Santo Domingo. They have not been reported from 

 Cuba, Jamaica, the Bahamas, or the Lesser Antilles, and no specimen 

 has been found in North, Central, or South America. 



Three-pointed stones fall naturally into four classes: (1) Those with 

 a head on the anterior and legs on the posterior points; (2) those with a 

 face on one side of the conoid projection; (3) those with the conoid pro- 

 jection modified into a head or face; (4) smooth spei'imens, destitute 

 of head, face, legs, or incised superficial ornamentation. 



TYPE WITH HEAD ON ANTERIOK AND LEGS ON POSTERIOR PROJECTION 



The majority of these idols belong to this type, which is well marked 

 and readily distinguished from the one next following. It is not 

 always possible to recognize the form of the legs, for the posterior 

 projection often resembles a second head, but no specimen has yet been 

 found which is clearl}' bicephalic. The axis of the base is sometimes 

 warped, now to one side and now to the other, suggesting rights and 

 lefts, but as a rule is straight. The surface is generallj' smooth, but in 

 some specimens is marked by incised superficial decorations, pits, and 

 in one instance by a few wart-like excrescences. Remnants of a super- 

 ficial paint or pitch are found in two specimens. Only in rare instances 

 (figure 18) are anterior as well as postei'ior limbs cut on the stone. 

 The classification of this type is mainly based on the form of the head. 



The three-pointed stones of the first type may be divided into three 

 groups that may be readil\' distinguished: (1) Those with human heads; 



