FEWKEsJ CULTURE AKEAS IN THE WEST INDIES 135 



"Shall I designate as mortar that rounded concave stone with 

 regular grooves descending from the central point to the rim? 

 Although quite hollow on its lower surface, I do not think it could 

 have been anything but the lid of a large vase, grooved or fluted 

 in like manner. In fact, this mortar would have had no fixed posi- 

 tion. It could liot remain stationary in the position necessary to 

 make use of it. Or should we not rather think that the maker of 

 this piece wished to represent a miliform cactus so common in the 

 Antilles ? And in this case should we not rather class it among the 

 idols? 



" Dishes. — There are but two dishes in my collection : 1st. A large 

 one of rude workmanship. The concavity only is polished; the ex- 

 terior rough and very irregular. 2d. A small one of very remarkable 

 finish. It is in fact very well polished on all its inner and outer 

 surfaces. 



'' Harpoon. — One single harpoon, slightly broken at the three 

 extremities. The absent parts can, however, easily be restored in 

 following the lines traced on the body of the piece. This instrument 

 is very remarkable. 



'■^ Hooks. — I have two hooks very different in form. Both are a 

 little broken, but easy to reconstruct by following the method in- 

 dicated above. 



'■'■Awls. — Awls are rare. My collection includes only two of them, 

 but I must state that the material employed is harder than that of 

 the ordinary tools and instruments. 



" Chisels. — Chisels are numerous and of various forms and sizes. 

 The basil of the cutting edge is perfect. Some of them are made 

 of the same material used in the fine celts, and, like the latter, have 

 the handsome glazing mentioned above. 



" Vases. — I have only two vases. One is of guaiacum. The handle 

 is perfectly isolated from the body of the vase. This piece is of 

 very great interest. As the guaiacum is incorruptible, we need not 

 be surprised that it has come down to us. It was found at Bertram 

 Creek, the last quarter of Guadeloupe inhabited by the Caribs. Its 

 edges are worn and hacked, and bear evidence of having been a 

 long time in the earth. I have seen a small tortoise of the same 

 wood found in a cave at St. Vincent. 



" The other in my possession is of stone. It is an astonishing piece 

 from its general regularity and its contour. 



" Shall I class among the vases that small cup with a rather long 

 spout? It rather resembles a spoon, and I think that it might be 

 designated as such, taking into consideration the break, which leads 

 us to suppose that a prolongation forming a handle formerly existed. 



