72 MOETAES AND PESTLES. 



broad and flattened bottom. The surface, as in the preceding example, has 

 been pecked to its present shape, and purposely smoothed, or worn so by 

 use. There is also a projecting rim, but extending inside only. On this 

 projecting rim are ten short longitudinal grooves, which were intended, as 

 other specimens have shown, for attaching, by means of asphaltum, cypreas, 

 and fragments of abalone (Haliotis) shell. These were intended, of course, 

 for ornaments only. 



This mortar varies but little from the preceding in exterior measure- 

 ments, though of smaller capacity. The diameter is 20.8 inches ; height 

 exteriorly, 10.2 inches; depth of vessel inside, 8.9 inches; breadth of rim, 

 1.6 to 1.9 inches. 



It may be possible that these large ornamented mortars were used for 

 ceremonial more than for useful purposes, as utensils so ornamented, if in 

 every-day use, would, probably, not long retain the lamina? of so fragile a 

 shell as the Haliotis. 



A third specimen from La Patera is more in common with the general 

 character of these Californian mortars. This example is made of a medium 

 hard sandstone, and has a uniformly pecked surface. In outline, the mor- 

 tar is regular, with a slightly defined rim extending along the inner edge. 



The greatest diameter is 20.5 to 21 inches; the height outside, 12. G 

 inches; depth of the vessel inside, 9.5 inches; the breadth of rim, 1 to 1.5 

 inches. 



A specimen of these large mortal's varies from the preceding in being- 

 shallow and more basin shaped. This example is made of medium hard 

 dark sandstone. It is very regularly shaped, the surface uniformly pecked. 

 The bottom is flattened for a small portion only. The rim extends inwardly 

 about .2 of an inch. 



The measurements are as follows: Greatest diameter, 20 inches; height, 

 outside, 9.2 inches; interior depth, 7.8 inches; thickness of rim, 7.8 inches. 



A fifth example is also of compact sandstone partly scaled off in many 

 places, probably owing to alteration chemically of the material subsequent 

 to burial. The outside, as in all these large mortars, is pecked over the 

 entire surface. The bottom is flattened, but is not so broad as in others. 

 The rim slopes inward, but is not very sharply defined. 



