306 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



hook formed. Most of the outside could then be fashioned in the 

 same safe way, the critical point being the cutting away of the last 

 outside support. Thanks are due to C. L. Mills, of Columbus 

 O. for photographs of relics showing this progressive work. 



A perfect series can not be given with New York specimens, but 

 some may be shown of a distinct or conjectural nature. Fig. 85 

 was probably an ornament, but will serve to show how a hook might 

 easily have been formed from it, had not the perforation been car- 

 ried so far. Fig. 227 may also have been designed for an ornament, 

 but may have been blocked out for a hook. In that case the cutting 

 would have been from the half-circular notch downward till the 

 point and curve were formed, and then upward along the shank. 

 Almost to the last there would then have been a firm piece to hold 

 it by. Dr Hinsdale found this on the island at Brewerton, where 

 perfect hooks of about this size were obtained. Fig. 229 better 

 illustrates the usual process, and has nearly the same outline as the 

 last. It is in the Buffalo collection. A hole has been drilled toward 

 the base, and from this grooves have been commenced for forming 

 the point and shank. Fig. 230 is in the same collection, and may 

 have been designed for either a large or a small barbless hook. 

 The intended point seems to have been broken off, causing a change 

 of plan. 



Fig. 343 is from the recent fort near Pompey Center, and is a 

 puzzling article if it is to be considered one which had been com- 

 pleted and then broken in using. It might have been a shuttle, had 

 such an article then been in use, but this is unique in form and size. 

 It is therefore suggested that the plan was to make two large hooks 

 from one piece, dividing them in the center when sufficiently 

 advanced. Unfortunately for this, it was broken at one end, per- 

 haps in the mad license of the feast of dreams, perhaps in some 

 accidental way. The curve of the hook is plainly seen at that end, 

 while the work at the other is very suggestive. This article is 

 reduced with the others on this plate, and is 7-J- inches long. For 

 its length it is quite thin. 



Most of the completed bone hooks are arranged on one plate ; 

 and for this reason fig. 313 will be mentioned first, being also of 

 uncertain locality though owned near Syracuse. It is much more 



