160 



SlNKt:iis. These are stones ■vveigliing fiom a quarter of a 

 pound to three or four pounds, of various fanciful shapes and 

 always grooved, or having some means for attachment. It is 

 generally conceded that ihey Avere used in connection ^vith 

 the fisheries. 



Various Eelics. Under this head I include relics,* the 

 intent of -which is not vciy ceitaii. — ccir.j lising v>l.{it 

 Avere probably stamps for potteiy, stones piobaLly utcd 

 for pulverizing, stones pretty evidently used for sharpen- 

 mg pui'poses, circular stones about th]-ee inches in diameter 

 and an inch in thickness Avith a slight depression in the centie 

 of each face, and probably used as quoits, and "what appear 

 to be scalping knives, gun flints, &c. &c. 



Ancient Indian Graves are occasionally found. In the 

 vicinity of Nantasket beach, just at the entrance of a private 

 road leading to the " Atlantic House," may be seen numerous 

 depressions which have proved to be Indian graves. In these, 

 numerous highly finished relics have been found in a fine state 

 of preservation. 



North and South. The relics of the Southern States are 

 more numerous, of greater variety, and in a better condition 

 than those found in New England. From extended means of 

 observation I can confidently make this statement. 



In assigning names to the various relics, presented this 

 evening to your notice, I Avould remark, that great reliance has 

 been placed on the old adage " what everybody says must be 

 true " — the fair weight of which may be estimated when it is 

 considered that most of such names are traditionary, found in 

 the localities where the relics themselves Avere obtained. From 

 the study of the peculiar features of the individual relics, much 

 of the interest and profit of a collection springs ; but the proper 

 limits of this paper, and the want of means of further illustra- 

 tion, have compelled me to dwell sparingly on these peculiar- 

 ities. 



With a desire to express my sense of a profound gratitude 

 for repeated acts of kindness on the part of so many, to which 

 I have been so largely indebted while forming my collections, 1 

 close this extended article. 



Marblehead, {Mass..) 1857. 



