POLISHED STONE ARTICLES USED BY THE NEW YORK ABORIGINES 39 



Fig. 85 is a curious little implement of fine brown sandstone, from 

 the Seneca River. Although so small its form suggests a pestle, 

 but it was probably a paint muller, as it is more adapted for grind- 

 ing than any other use. It is rectangular both in section and out- 

 line, and is one and three eighths inches long, with a long diameter 

 of three quarters of an inch. Both ends are flat, and might be used 

 for grinding. 



POTSTONB 



Fragments of potstone vessels are found in many parts of the 

 State, but perfect vessels are now very rare. The material was so 

 easily worked that it was used for other things. Naturally the re- 

 mains of vessels occur oftenest near navigable waters, as they were 

 too heavy to carry far by hand. Among those in the Wagman col- 

 lection was one with a handle, and such handles are usually more or 

 less carved. The vessels are most neatly finished within, as a rule, 

 and are often quite shallow. Outside, the base is often left rough 

 and angular, perhaps that it may stand the better, or for finishing in 

 leisure hours. The material was not procured in the State, although 

 it occurs here, and probably most of the vessels come from Penn- 

 sylvania. Dr. Abbott mentioned none in New Jersey, nor have any 

 been reported in Canada, where steatite pipes are common. Many 

 fragments are perforated, and some have been worked over for new 

 uses. 



Fig. 77 is a section of a vessel restored from fragments found at 

 Rome. The pieces were saved, put together, and this is a reduced 

 figure of the vessel, which is 10 inches high and about 20 inches 

 across the handles. The greatest thickness at the bottom is one and 

 one half inches, and this is quite flat, although rounding quickly to 

 the sides. The rim is thin, and this is a common feature. Many 

 vessels are much shallower than this. One from the Oswego River 

 is angularat thebottom,andthe total outside depth in places is buttwo 

 inches, the bottom being three eighths of an inch thick and perfectly 

 flat. The curving rim of this is notched. Another, from the Seneca 

 River, is also shallow, broader at the base than at the top outside, 

 and nearly straight at top and bottom; the bottom diameter being 

 four and three eighths inches. The inner side is nicely curved, and 

 the fragment is perforated in one place. It may be that a better 



