68 ~NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
of the river. The peculiarity is in a sharp projection at the top 
and toward the handle. About Owego and along the Susque- 
hanna above that point, iron axes and tomahawks frequently 
occur. Mr A. F. Barrott has one from Owego of the general 
trade form, but angular above instead of rounded, which is 
probably of a later type. Dr A. D. Gould has a pipe tomahawk 
from Willow Point, and others have been found. 
Among the many tomahawks to be seen at Owego and vicin- 
ity is one belonging to Mr T. B. Reddish, which came from Mid- 
dleburg, Schoharie co., where there were Indian forts and vil- 
lages. in the 18th century. This has a broad cutting edge, the 
implement being narrow at the socket and terminating in the 
long curved point above. On the expanded surface of the socket 
are the figures 1711. It is the only one reported with a date, 
except one from Pompey, dated in 1715. 
Another Owego ax resembles the trade form, but has a neat | 
scroll pattern indented in the sides. It is probably more recent 
than the form would indicate, though many pipe tomahawks do 
little more than add the pipe to this early form. In some of 
these, at least, the pipe bowl is formed separately and fixed : 
by a screw. 
Knives 
It is surprising to see what delicate and beautiful work our | 
aborigines did with their simple implements of bone and stone, — 
but they were not slow to see the advantages of metallic tools — 
and gave an appropriate name to their makers. A simple steel 
knife had a value to them of which we can faintly conceive. | 
Fancy a white boy in the country without a knife! What won- 
derful things captives have been able to accomplish vith j 
one. It is almost the foundation of all civilized skill. | 
One early practice is commonly associated in our minds with | 
the knife in the savage life of this land. It is that of scalping th 
dead. Fairly understood it has a different character from what 
many suppose, being the simple attestation or record of the war 
rior’s prowess. It was not cruel, for no man intended to scal 
the living. It was not intended as a savage mutilation, but t 
