Bibliographical Notices. 419 
describing the methods now in use by the aboriginal tribes to pro- 
duce implements of stone of the same typical character as those of 
the Paleolithic period furnish most valuable bases for conjecture, 
not only as to the use, but as to the actual truth of the theories 
Med regarding the intention and formation, of the prehistorie 
relies 
Proceeding further with the subject, we find the remains of the 
“Neolithic” period, or that in which the implements have assumed 
both a higher artistic type and greater perfection of finish, largely 
represented in this account of the Blackmore Museum. Axes 
fect in form and workmanship, and composed of the hardest mate- 
rials, seem to have offered no resistance to the stubborn perseverance 
of the savage races ; and here, again, the parallel between the facts 
discovered as to the manufacture of similar implements in modern 
times is wisely furnished. We cannot do better than quote the 
writer’s words, as they serve to show how near an apparent relation 
exists between the customs and habits of modern savage races and 
those the date of whose history is lost in the mists of antiquity. 
He says, in reference to the orifices formed in the heads of the, stone 
axes or celts, **'That drilling has been effected in recent times with- 
out tools of metal, is proved by the experience of travellers. Mr. 
Wallace speaks of cylinders of rock-crystal four to eight inches long 
and one inch in diameter, which are still made and perforated by 
very low tribes on the Rio Negro. These are formed merely by 
rubbing; and the perforation is effected by twirling a flexible leaf- 
Shoot of wild plantain between the hands against the stone, and 
thus, with sand and water, boring through the stone. This is said 
to take years to effect. Such cylinders as the chiefs wear are stated 
5 
How easy becomes the deduction that, given the same character 
mounds in Ohio, These mounds, which are very numerous, occur 
in groups at various places on the American continent, and contain 
numerous stone implements of the Paleolithic type; but though 
pipe-bowls of various materials, such as siliceous slate, argilla- 
ceous ironstone, ferruginous chlorite, and marly Kor vue and 
; 
