ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31 



In form the " turtle-backs " differ greatly from the ordinary 

 chipped celt. The base or head of the former is where we 

 find the blade or cutting-edge of the latter, while the head 

 or posterior projection of the common type corresponds to 

 the blade of the " turtle-back." The former is perfectly flat 

 on the inferior face, the upper side being flaked into the 

 form which its name irfiicates, but the chipped celt is 

 beveled and evenly finished on both sides, so that, if it were 

 possible to split it laterally, two " turtle-back " celts would 

 result. 



From a comparison of their form with that of many im- 

 plements now and formerty known to be in use among the 

 Indians, Mr. Reynolds concluded that these implements were 

 hafted in the manner of a stone adze, and employed princi- 

 pally in excavating dug-out canoes. It was not denied that 

 they may have been employed in all the multifarious pro- 

 cesses to which the fertile brain of the Indian enables him 

 to supply his scanty store of implements. 



The author adverted to the canoes of the northwest coast 

 and the sea-faring proas of the New Zealanders made with 

 stone implements and with the help of fire. 



Specimens of the " turtle-back " celts were exhibited by 

 the speaker, some of them hafted, in order to show the de- 

 sign of their peculiar form. The flat side doubtless, lay 

 against the wooden handle, and the projection on the back 

 would impart the greatest possible strength at the very 

 point where it was most needed. 



FIFTEENTH REGULAR MEETING. 



January 6, 1880. 



Shell-Heaps of South River, Maryland. 

 By J. D. McGUIEE. 



Wherever shell-fish are found in salt or fresh waters, the 

 lands adjacent thereto bear evidences that shell-fish were 

 used by primitive men as articles of food. 



