KEWKES] CULTURE AREAS IN THE WEST INDIES 207 



" C. ELBOW STONE OF DOUBTFUL TYPE 



" There are one or two aberrant specimens that are doubtfully 

 identified as elbow stones. In discussing the Guesde collection Prof. 

 Mason figured and described an unusual object from Punto Duo (?), 

 allied to elbow stones but of highly aberrant form, as follows : 



■' ' Fig. 195. An oniameutal piece, of bluish green color. It is rare in form, 

 but not absolutely unique. In the American Museum at New York is a similar 

 specimen. The chamfering and fluting are gracefully blended. The left-hand 

 extremity is iierfoi-ated for suspension. Length of long limb, 8 inches: of short 

 limb, 5A inches." 



"The differences between this specimen [pi. 99, r, ("] and the 

 typical elbow stones lie mainly in the ' chamfering,' nevertheless it 

 shows certain characters peculiar to elbow stones. The ' similar speci- 

 men' in the American ISIuseum, referred to by Mason, is possibly 

 one of those above mentioned under group B. 



" The Guesde stone is exceptional in several particulars. The 

 figure shows no indication of a panel or a head, and the sulcus like- 

 wise is missing. On account of the absence of the panel it is diffi- 

 cult to tell whether it belongs to the right-arm or the left-arm group. 

 The fluting on the longer arm reminds one of the specimen in the 

 National Museum at Washington, and the perforated shorter arm 

 is like that of the Latimer specimen. The grooves of the smaller 

 arm extend halfway round the arm, while those of the longer arm 

 girt it entirely. 



" Morphology and Intebpketation 



" The many similarities between three-pointed zemis, elbow stones, 

 and stone collars would seem to indicate a corresponding similarity 

 in use, consequently any light on the morphology of one would aid 

 in the interpretation of the other types. The author believes that 

 the life figures on these three types of objects are symbolic repre- 

 sentations of zemis, or spirits, which were worshiped by the pre- 

 historic Porto Ricans. They were idols, and bore the name of the 

 particular spirit represented (as well as the general designation 

 'zemi') — a usage common to primitive religions. 



"A consideration of the differences in form, or the morphology, 

 of these objects is desirable before the many theories as to their use 

 can be intelligently discussed. 



"A forward step in the interpretation of the morphology of 

 stone collars was taken by Mr. Josiah Cato and later by Prof. Mason, 

 who recognized that the ' shoulder ridge ' faintly resembles a lashing 

 of the two ends of a hoop. 



"An important suggestion has been made by Mr. T. A. Joyce "*" that 

 the Antillean stone collar is a copy of an archaic zemi made of 



'""Prehistoric Antiquities from the Antilles, in the British Museum. Jour. Royal Anthr. 

 lu.stitute, vol. -xxxvii, pp. 402-419, pi. XLvni-LVi, 1907. 



