642 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



It would become iutensely interesting if, now that tlie attention of the 

 l)ublic is directed to these implements, they should be found so associ- 

 ated with other paleolithic implements, or with the fauna, or under cir- 

 cumstances which would jioint to their belonging also to the paleolithic 

 period. 



Note. — Between the time of the preparation of this paper and the 

 reading of its i)roof, I have prepared for the Museum, a classification of 

 arrow or spearheads or knives, a short description of w^hich is as follows : 



LF.AF-SHAPED. 



Sub-class A : Thin and finely-shaped implements of the form of a laurel leaf; ellip- 

 tical and pointed at both ends. They correspond substantially with the French 

 Solutrian tyx^e of the paleolithic period of the stone age. 



Sub-class B : These may be thicker and ruder than subclass A. Some are more 

 oval, and the bases are not pointed, but are either straight or convex. The class in- 

 cludes the leaf-shaped argillite implements found by Dr. Abbott in the Delaware 

 River gravels of Trenton, N. J. 



Sub-class C: These are long, thin blades with nearly straight edges, more like a 

 dagger or poignard. The base may be either convex, straight, or concave. Many of 

 them show traces of attachment to a handle by means of bitumen or gum. They 

 are j)eculiar to the Pacific Slope. 



TRIANGULAR. 



This class includes all forms approaching a triaugle,'whether the bases or edges be 

 convex, straight, or concave. They are without stems, and cousequently without 

 shoulders, but in some specimens the concavity of the base produces barbs. 



STEMMED. 



This class includes all varieties of stems, whether straight, pointed, or expanding, 

 aud all varieties of bases and edges, whether convex, straight, or concave. 



Sub-class A : Lozenge-shaped. 



Sub-class B : Shouldered, but not barbed. 



Sub-class C : Shouldered and barbed. 



Note. — Nearly all of the convex bases are smooth, as though they had been worn. 

 The purpose or cause of this is unknown. 



PECULIAR FORBIS. 



These have such peculiarities as distinguish them from ail other classes, but by rea- 

 son of their restricted number or locality cau scarcely form a class of themselves. 

 Sub-class A: Beveled edges. The bevel is usually in one direction. 

 Sub class B: Serrated edges. 

 Subclass C: Bifurcated stems. 



SCRAPERS. 



Thick iiakes of flint, obsidian, etc. Worked at one, extremity to a 

 convex edge. They were inserted in a handle and used for scraping 

 any needed substance, but principally for dressing skins. Kos. 38 and 

 41 are from Texas 5 39, 40, and 319 from Ohio. 



