77 



points of the same t3'pe. But with the Aleuts the form soon became nearl}^ 

 symmetrica], as figured in 13023 and 13023 a. Some of these points from 

 the middle and upper parts of this stratum are beautifully finished and sym- 

 metrical. They are alwa3-s thinner than the Eskimo weapon of the same 

 type, and for this reason probably, were not weakened by a hole in the 

 butt. If secured by a cord it was probably made fast to the haft just 

 in advance of the butt. Again, however, as a general proposition, the 

 modern Eskimo weapon of the same type is more cleanly and sharply finished, 

 and always stouter and stronger. Instead of being flattened, like the Aleut 

 weapon, it is cai-inated on each side, thereby much increasing its strength. 

 The Eskimo Aveapons more generally have a conical haft, wdiile the Aleuts 

 made theirs more commonl^^ with a wedge-shaped square haft. 



The final improvement in dart-points was made, as far as we can 

 judge, about the time of formation of the uppermost Mammalian strata, 

 none of the examples occurring in the lower or middle layers. This 

 was the pointing of the bone-dart with obsidian or stone. As compared 

 with the rude implements of the Fishing Epoch previously figured, 

 Nos. 16058 and 16062 show'much better workmanship, and the final type 

 to which the stone points gravitated is shown by No. 12095. Stone dart- 

 points, except the small ones for bone hafts, are not abundant after the early 

 part of the Hunting Epoch. The bone article served the purpose nnich 

 better, and hence was universally used. Still we find occasional specimens 

 of stone heads, even to nearly historic timfes. An unusual modification, 

 offering many objections to its general use (and as a type, I believe, unique), 

 was found in the uppermost stratum at Port Moller, and is figured with the 

 others (No. 16083 a). The final form of the stone-pointed bone dart is shown 

 by figure 14937, while the Eskimo weapon of the same type is represented 

 by 1568, below the first. The Eskimo have worked out the same type of 

 weapon, finely finished, but their less restricted environment made its use 

 less miiversal than it became among the Aleuts. A specimen of one of the 

 slate whale-harpoon heads carefully ground is also figured (No. 14918). 

 It came from the later deposits of this period. In the middle Mammalian 

 laj-ers at Ulakhta Spit, I Avas puzzled by certain round bone or ivory articles 

 which I found. They were made of that part of the walrus tusk or sperm- 



