INTRODUCTION 



In 1896, the legislature appropriated $5000 to be^ used by the 

 regents of the University for increasing the state collection illus- 

 trating New York aboriginal life, and for preserving such facts as 

 might seem to them of most value. Most of this appropriation has 

 been judiciously used by A. G. Richmond, esq., honorary curator 

 of this department of the state museum, in securing several collec- 

 tions of great value. It was also thought advisable to issue some 

 bulletins of a popular nature, illustrating the antiquities of New 

 York, especially the implements and ornaments of the aborigines. 

 In furtherance of this plan the Rev. W: M. Beauchamp, S. T. D., 

 of Baldwinsville, N. Y., was consulted and his aid secured. He had 

 been engaged for a quarter of a century in this study, and had 

 accumulated a vast amount of available material. His suggestion 

 was that such work might be distributed under suitable heads, each 

 subject complete in itself, but forming a series if desired. The first 

 would be that of the chipped stone implements of New York, and 

 a paper on this is subjoined. A second would be on those polished 

 articles of stone, in which New York is so rich; the paper on this is 

 nearly completed, and will be an important contribution to science. 

 Others might treat on the articles of clay, bone, horn, shell and 

 metal, so abundantly found in the state. 



It was thought that, in this way, not only would clearer informa- 

 tion be afforded, but that the state museum would be the gainer, by 

 valuable contributions of many things altogether uncared for now. 

 Such has been the result elsewhere, and the local pride of our 

 citizens may confidently be relied upon to make the state collection 

 one unsurpassed. The illustrations are selections from the thousands 

 of drawings which Dr Beauchamp has made, and show both rare 

 and common forms. 



For this valuable bulletin the state is indebted solely to Dr Beau- 

 champ to whom its publication has been wholly entrusted. For the 

 admirable work done in increasing the archeological collection, the 

 state is indebted to our honorary curator, A. G. Richmond, presi- 

 dent of the Canajoharie national bank, who has for years given his 



