22 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



of material assistance in making a good polished surface. Lan- 

 ceolate knives, partaking more of the character of the Danish 

 specimens, are also most successfully worked. 



The latest development of the spurious implement trade, 

 however, is probably that by which ground and polished Neolithic 

 axes are made of plaster. The seat of this industry is somewhat 

 uncertain. The implements are remarkably well made of a plaster 

 composition, cleverly coloured and coated with gum, and are 

 difficult of detection if one is unsuspicious. A request to the 

 would-be vendor to be allowed to cut the article in question will 

 generally elicit an indignant denial, and thus open the eyes of the 

 purchaser. These plaster axes have been offered for sale in the 

 Suffolk villages of Eriswell, Brandon, and Lakenheath. Glass 

 arrow-heads may also be purchased at Brandon ; but few col- 

 lectors would view these otherwise than as modern curiosities ; 

 and it is doubtful if (as has been suggested) collectors could be 

 found who would purchase them as American weapons. 



I am also informed, although without personal experience of 

 the fact, that Paleolithic implements and weapons are made in 

 Stoke Newington, and passed round among the labourers wherever 

 excavations are going on. It is also stated that even the British 

 Museum authorities have been deceived by some of these imple- 

 ments, so perfectly are they made. As specimens of a modern 

 industry which is fast dying out, these spurious implements have 

 a certain interest ; but their value in furthering our knowledge 

 of prehistoric man is of course nothing, and collectors would 

 therefore do well to be on their guard. 



The writer must express his indebtedness to Mr. F. N. 

 Haward, of Chelmsford, for some of the foregoing information. 



