10 



and the edge breaking away, a new hole was marie, further removed from the 

 edge. 



The holes are always bored from the two sides, being smaller in diameter in 

 the centre, showing that the boring instrument was rude, and probably consist- 

 ed of a fragment of rock or bone. 



Many fragments were finally matched and joined, by bringing together all 

 fragments having perforations in them. 



The economy of these people is again illustrated by the broken base of a ves- 

 sel which has had its fractured margin smoothly ground down. That such an 

 article as the broken bottom of one of the commonest forms of pots should be 

 treated in this way, is an indication of the difficulty experienced in making 

 these objects. 



The pottery is found in such great abundance, and with such an infinite 

 variety of form and ornamentation, that one would think that here at least was 

 the site of some ancient manufacture ; but thus far no unfinished vessels, or 

 masses of potters clay have been met with. The shell mounds of Tokio show 

 an equal abundance of pottery, and in many cases forms and designs similar to 

 those found at Omori. 



ORNAMENTS. 



In the remains of the work of pre-historic races in various parts of the world, 

 there are commonly found objects of stone, shell, bone and horn, which were 

 evidently intended for personal adornment. 



The entire absence of objects of this nature in the Omori remains, with one 

 exception, may be looked upo - i as somewhat extraordinary. Considering also 

 the highly ornamental and extremely diversified character of the pottery, the 

 absence of these objects must be regarded with interest. 



In various parts of Japan there are found many kinds of stone beads known 

 under the name of Cha-nsn-ishi, Mikawa-kuda-kara, Juto-tama, Ruri-tama, 

 etc. — some long and cylindrical, others globular, and the lluri-tama shaped 

 more like the shell beads of the United States. The well known Maga-tama 

 also, must have been an object of personal ornament. These various ornaments, 

 as well as many others, are associated with the polished stone age, which seems 

 well marked in Japan. Old accounts of the Ainos represent their wearing 

 beads and ornaments of various kinds, anil whenever these are found, they are 

 regarded by the Japanese as personal ornaments. In fact the Japanese antiqua- 

 rian regards objects of this nature as of the highest antiquity. 



Nothing of the kind, however, so far as I am aware, has been met with in the 

 Omori shell mounds, nor in the shell mounds in Tokio. In fact I have exa- 

 mined many shell heaps from the west coast of Yezo to the southern portions 



