146 



ISLAND CULTURE AREA OF AMERICA 



[ETH. ANN. 34 



and existence of grooves, the ordinary grooved axes of North 

 America, but we can not suppose that they are significant enougli 

 or sufficient in number to modify the theory that the Lesser Antilles 

 are archeologically cemented with South rather than with North 

 America. 



As the petaloid celt is the most abimdant implement in the Greater 

 Antilles, to which the engraved celt is confined, the ax is typical of 

 the Lesser Antilles from Anegada Passage to Trinidad. Petaloid 

 celts also occur in the Lesser Antilles, and the axes of the Carib- 

 bean islands occur sporadically in the Greater Antilles, but the 

 celt and ax are practically limited in their distribution in the way 

 indicated. As in the case of the petaloid celt 

 we have specimens with heads or figures en- 

 graved on one face, so we find engraved axes 

 or those in which figures are incised on their 

 faces. These figures are, however, geometric, 

 and in no instance known to the writer are faces 

 or human outlines depicted. We find, however, 

 instances of an animal head cut on the poll 

 of an ax which seem to be a connecting link be- 

 tween the petaloid with the head or face and 

 the ax with geometrical design. This group is 

 represented by the so-called fish idol from Cuba 

 (pi. 03. ^). first figured by Poey. The general 

 shape of the body recalls those of several axes 

 in the Heye collection, the only difference being 

 in the fish head cut on the pointed end. It will 

 be described under engraved celts. 

 Figure 21 represents a rare form of ax found in the Guesde collec- 

 tion in the Berlin Museum, in which the two opposite siirfaoes are 

 decorated with incised geometric figures which are duplicated. Be- 

 giiming with the notch on the margin of the implement they form 

 graceful curves, recalling scrolls on a ceremonial baton, which will 

 be described later in this article. 



This specimen is described by Prof. Mason, who writes : °' " A highly 

 ornamented specimen, one portion of which is plain, resembling the 

 edge of a cleaver; the remainder is covered with ornament. Let us 

 imagine this to be a stone ax, the most beautifid in the world. The 

 following characteristics claim our attention : The hafting notches 

 are extended, that on the upper part by a narrow gutter almost par- 

 allel with the edge; that on the lower part sweeping outward in a 

 curve which combines the lower portion and both faces in a continu- 

 ous pattern. This is assuredly M. Guesde's jewel in the ax class. 

 Length, 5i inches." 



Fi«. 21. — Inoisi'd ax 

 from Guadeloupe. 

 (5.5 inches.) 



'Op. cit.. pp. 824-825, flg. 196. 



