126 ISLAND CULTURE AREA OF AMERICA [eth. ANN. m 



which was the double crescentic form, unitetl midway in the two 

 convex surfaces, the point of union being perforated. 



In a form (pi. 71, A) resembling celts of the northern Antilles, 

 except that the body is less tapering, the blade when seen in profile is 

 lenticular. This is supposed to be the same as that figured by Prof. 

 Mason, whose description applies to this object. He says: "A bell- 

 shaped blade of brown patina and elongated body. It is difficult to 

 conjecture how such a blade could be fastened in a haft. There are 

 found in the Antilles frequently implements for smoothing, shaped 

 like this specimen inverted. This form with the edge at the small 

 end is unique." ''^ 



It is difficult to tell to what class of implement Mason refers this 

 specimen, but it is here placed, not among grinders but among celts. 



The various objects obtained from Dominica belong to the same 

 type as those used by an agricultural people, and probably belonged 

 to a race antecedent to the Carib. This points the same way as 

 the archeological material from the other Lesser Antilles, and sup- 

 ports the theory that the original inhabitants of these islands had 

 a kinship with those of Santo Domingo and Porto Rico. 



The existence of an agricultural race allied to the " Carib " in 

 the island of Dominica is thus stated by Da vies : '^ " The Savages 

 of Dominico affirm, that it proceeds hence, that when the Car- 

 ribians came to inhabit these Islands they were possess'd by 

 a Nation of the Arouagues, whom they absolutely destroy'd, save 

 only the Women, whom they married for the re-peopling of the 

 Country ; so that those Women having retain'd their own Language, 

 taught it their Daughters, and brought them to speak as they did; 

 which being practised to the present by the Mothers towards their 

 Daughters, their Language came to be different from that of the 

 Men in many things. ... To confirm what we have said 

 concerning the cause of this difference of Language, it is alleged, 

 That there is some conformity between the Language of the 

 Arouagues who live in the Continent, and that of the Caribbian 

 Women: But it is to be observ'd, that the Caribbians of the Con- 

 tinent, as well Men as Women, speak the same Language, as having 

 not corrupted it by inter-marriages with strange Women." 



In the following quotations'* from the same author we have the 

 legend of the introduction of cassava as the food plant. 



" They say then. That their Ancestors were poor Savages, living like 

 Beasts in the midst of the Woods, without Houses or places where 

 they might retreat, living on the Herbs and Fruits which the Earth 

 produc'd of itself without manuring; whilst they were in this 



'2 Mason, op. cit., p. 753, flg. 24. 



" The History of the Caribby Lslands, p. 261. 



" Ibid., p. 287. 



