32 INTRODUCTION 
query is Breuil’s—a l’hamegon. The gravure fails to convince, 
chiefly because Jes hamegons figured do not recurve in the 
proper sense. They seem to be more in the nature of gorges 
curved back and much improved in the course of generations." 
The evolution of the primitive gorge, in particular those 
with ends slightly curved, into a double fish-hook was, I 
suggest, probably an easy process, more especially with the 
discovery of the adaptability of bronze. But these gorges 
can never be properly 
termed hooks. 
The function of the 
hook is to establish a 
hold by penetration, 
that of a gorge by re- 
sistance — once down, 
vestigia nulla retrorsum. 
A shape with some but 
not too great curvature 2 
would increase such re- 
sistance, one with more 
would possibly give the 
additional safeguard of 
penetration. 
BONE GORGE OR BAITHOLDERS, taal . 
1. FromLaMadelaine. 2. From La Madelaine, Meditation on this 
grooved for attaching the line. 3 and 4. dyplicati i 
From Santa Cruz, California. The slight uplication of functions 
curving of 3 may be possibly the first might lead an enquiring 
step towards the more rounded gorge, and mind to conclude that 
eventually the bent hook. 7 : 
penetration alone might 
suffice for what was required. Thus farther curve might 
be added for this ostensible purpose, with the result that in 
1 L’ Anthropologie, tome xix. pp. 184-190, especially p. 187, where the 
author attempts une reconstitution hypothétique de la fagon, dont cette inter- 
prétation admise, on pourrait congevoir la fixation de ces ‘‘ hamegons.’’ The 
inverted commas do not suggest confidence. 
2 Tf both the ends of the gorge were as much bent up as a hook, the tendency 
would be for the gorge, when its points got fast, to be rotated by the pull on 
the line and to assume, owing to greater curvature, a bent-back position, 
which would allow of its easy withdrawal and defeat the object—the capture 
of the fish, Some Santa Cruz gorges are of an angular type, but with the 
points turned somewhat down. The double hook of bronze or copper, e.g. 
of Ancient Peru, seems to support my suggestion of gorge evolution, although, 
fair to add, it was suspended from the centre, 
