64 



STONE ART. 



|ETH ANN 13 



figure 29, of chlorite schist, from Sullivan county, Tennessee). Tlie axes 

 of this class in the Bureau collection are shown in the following table: 



In the second class the groove is formed by pecking into the body 

 of the ax after the latter is dressed into shape; in this jiattern a regu- 

 lar continuous line from edge to poll would touch only the margins of 

 the groove, leaving it beneath. An apparent medium between the two 

 is sometimes seen, in which there is a projection on the lower side of the 

 groove only; this is due, usually, to dressing the blade down thinner 

 after the implement was originally worked to a symmetric outline. 

 By contiiinoits or long use the edge of the ax becomes broken or 



blunted and requires sharpening, and in 

 order to keep the proper outline to make 

 the tool efficient, it is necessary to work 

 the blade thinner as it becomes shorter. 

 No such change is reqirired lu the poll, 

 consequently a projection is formed where 

 originally there was no trace of one. 



There are dift'erent methods of finishing 

 the ax, which may appear with either 

 form of groove. The poll may be worked 

 into the shape of a flattened hemisphere, 

 may be flat on top, with the part between 

 the groove and the top straight, convex 

 or concave, or may be worked to a blunt 

 point, with straight or concave lines to 

 the groove. The blade may taper from 

 the groove to the edge, with straight or 

 curved sides, which may run almost parallel or may be drawn to a 

 blunt-pointed edge. This latter form is probably due to breaking or 

 wearing of the blade, which is reworked, as shown in figure 30, of gran- 

 ite, fi-om Boone county, Missouri. 



There are a very few specimens, as noted below, in which the ax 

 gradually increases in width from the poll to the edge; but such speci- 

 mens seem to be made of stones which had this form approximately at 

 the beginning, and were worked into such shape as would give a suita- 

 ble implement with the least labor. 



In nearly every instance the groove of an ax with a groove projection 

 extends entirely around with practically the same depth, and the blade 



FlQ. 30. 



-Grooved ax. showjiiy 

 edge. 



linted 



