56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



eighths inches long by seven eighths of an inch wide. The broad 

 surface is flat, the other two forming a ridge at their junction, mak- 

 ing the implement triangular in section. There is a slight tapering 

 toward the point, which is formed by a quick curving of the edges. 

 The base is a little contracted, and depressed on the upper side, 

 with slight notches for attaching it to a handle. The material is 

 bluish striped slate, and it was found near Brewerton on the Oneida 

 River. 



Fig. 132 is also reduced, and is of a similar article a little wider 

 and much shorter; the length being four and seven eighths inches. 

 The base is shorter and more contracted than the last, and the point 

 not as quickly curved. This is also of striped slate. It was found 

 near Brewerton, and also on low land. 



The two just described came from low ground, and are somewhat 

 discolored in this way, specially on one surface. They are as finely 

 polished as other implements of striped slate, and in excellent pres- 

 ervation. No signs of use appear upon them, and they may have 

 had little more than an ornamental character. 



AMUIiETS 



Bird and bar amulets are very rare south of Ohio, nor are the 

 latter frequent anywhere. One of the former has been found in 

 Virginia, one in Pennsylvania, and one in New Jersey. The latter 

 one has projecting ears, and is four and one half inches long. They 

 reach Wisconsin on the west, and occur sparingly in New England. 



The theories about their use seem fanciful, as some certainly are. 

 Two writers assert that they were worn by married or pregnant 

 women only, and many have accepted this statement. Others think 

 they were worn by conjurers, or fixed on the prows of canoes. It 

 is enough to say that some of the perforations are not adapted to 

 any of these uses. It seems better to class them with the war and 

 prey or hunting gods of the Zunis, some of which they resemble. 

 In that case, the holes, of whatever kind, would have given a firm 

 hold to the thongs which bound the arrows to the amulet, a matter 

 of importance in an irregular figure. 



