INTRODUCTION 



The preliminary paper on our aboriginal articles of stone com- 

 prised those which were simply chipped, and these are much more 

 abundant and widespread than those treated of in this bulletin. The 

 latter, however, show almost incredible patience and skill in their 

 higher forms, as well as taste in selecting materials. They also give 

 hints of superstitions and ceremonies not yet thoroughly understood, 

 and therefore not now discussed. As before, this paper has been 

 prepared and illustrated by the Rev. W. M. Beauchamp, S. T. D., 

 the figures being from his large collection of original drawings, 

 made in nearly all parts of New York, but mostly from the central 

 portion. It is probable that the southwestern counties might add 

 a few forms, as that region included a portion of the mound build- 

 ers' country, and was a border land. A few illustrations might 

 have been added from other writers, but neither these figures nor 

 the descriptions were deemed accurate enough for the present pur- 

 pose. Those given have been carefully prepared, and every detail 

 has been represented wherever opportunity was afforded. 



