244 



The- West American Scientist. 



This may also be argued against Fig. 2. But from the fact that 

 the latter specimen contains a barb, some 

 archaeologists claim that it is a fish-hook. 

 Yet it is by no means clear to my mind that 

 it was designed for anything but an orna- 

 ment for the person. 



The true fish-hook, of what is known as 

 the Santa Barbara stock of Indians, is repre- 

 sented in figures 3 and 4, and was manufac- 

 tured from bone. Two slightly curved and 

 doubly pointed pieces of bone were tied 

 together at one end, the larger piece being 

 used for the shank on w^hich the line was 

 and the shorter piece to pierce the 

 similar to that still in use by the 



fastened 

 Its form 



Figure 2. 

 mouth of the fish 

 South-sea Islanders, and man- 

 ufactured from the shell of 

 the pearl oyster. 



Figure 5 represents a 

 metal fish-hook which the 

 writer found in an Indian 

 grave on the Conejo plateau, 

 in this (Ventura) county. 

 The shank was fastened into 

 an olivella shell which had 

 been notched as represented 

 in the engraving. The shell 

 was, doubtless, designed to 

 attract by its glistening and 

 shiny appearance. The spec- 

 imen is somewhat restored 



IS 



Figure 4. 



Figure 3. 

 in the cut, the original having been 

 eaten with rust, but is still sufficiently 

 perfect to show the outline and 

 character of the implement. 



