142 STONE ART. [eth.ann.13 



It may not be out of plat^e in this couiiectiou to give a few quotations 

 in regard to the length of time required for making an arrowhead. 



According to the Marqui.s de ^fadailhic, the Mexicans could turn out 

 a hundred flint knives (probably only unworked obsidian flakes) an 

 hour,' while Crook says tliat the Plains Indians with only a knife for 

 nicking oft' the edges, will make from fifty to one hundred arrows in 

 the same period.- Chase found that a Klamath Indian required five 

 minutes to complete a perfect arrowhead;^ though Stevens observes 

 that a Shasta Indian spent an hour in chipping one from a flake of 

 obsidian,^ and Lubbock states that the most skillful Indian workmen 

 can not hope to complete more than a single arrow in a day's hard 

 work.-"' Powers also speaks of the aborigines of California as "using 

 that infinite patience which is characteristic of tlie Indian, spending 

 days, perhaps weeks, upon a single piece;'"^ and Tylor notes "that 

 utter disregard of time that lets the Indian spend a mouth in making 

 an arrow.''" 



The last two references are probably to the large and finely worked 

 ]jieces used for ceremonial or ornamental i)urposes. 



Classification of the Implements. 



The only practicable division of the greater part of the smaller flints 

 is into stemmed and stendess, the former having a ijrolongatiou at 

 the base for firmer attachment to a shaft or handle, the latter being of 

 a triangular or oval shape. The stemmed implements may be barbed 

 or not, and the stem either narrower or broader toward the end. 



The name "arrowhead" so commonly applied, fits only the minority 

 of specimens, as none but the smaller ones could be so used; the larger 

 are too heavy. The longest stone arrowpoint in the extensive collection 

 of arrows in the National Museum measures two and five-eighths inches 

 in length and is narrow and thin. An arrowpoint two inches in length 

 is seldom seen. The larger specimens were probably knives and spear- 

 Leads; but it would be diflicult to assign any certain use for a particular 

 type, the markings on so many indicate usage for which their shape 

 would seem to render them unsuitable. It is probable that a single 

 specimen served a variety of purjjoses. 



Wood, bone, and shell were also used to a considerable extent, in 

 tlie manufacture of implements for which flint would seem much better 

 adapted. Thus for fish spears the southern Indians used canes, sharp- 

 pointed, barbed, and hardened iu the fire," while knives were formerly 

 made of flint or cane; these are still used when the hunting knife has 



'Prehistoric America, p. 170. 



"Smithsonian lieport for 1871, \k 4*2U. 



"MS. Shell Monnds of Oregon. 



' Flint Chips, p. 77. 



^Prehistoric Times, p. 106 (from Dodge and Biackmore). 



••Contribution.s to N. A. Eth., vol. in, p. 104. 



'History of Mankind, p. 188. 



^ Adair; American Indians, p. 403. 



