ANCIENT SOAPSTOISTE QTTABBY. 



121 



hand. In this wise, with some practical experience, a greater accuracy is 



attainable than at first might be supposed, especially if the work proceeds 



Fig. 41. 





/ 



Sketch of a portion of the steatite ledge, showing the method of detach- 

 ing the pot-forms. 



from a known thickness, to which reference can be taken, which is here 

 the case, as it progressed from the rim.* 



* It is of special interest, in connection with the manufacture of these pots on the coast, of Cali- 

 fornia, to note that the Indians of the Atlantic coast adopted the same method, though the pots made 

 were of a different shape, heiug generally oval and shallow, and having knobs for handles at each end. 

 This interesting fact I recently had the opportunity of observing on the land of H. N. Augell, in the town 

 of Johnston, near Providence, E. I. At this place Mr. Augell has uncovered an old soapstone quarry, 

 from which hundreds of these pot-forms have been taken in former times, as shown by the deep excava- 

 tions made in the soapstone ledge, and the remains of the pot-forms, the broken vessels, rude stone 

 implements, etc. Since this note was written other ancient quarries of the same character hflve been 

 found, particularly one in Virginia and another near Washington. — F. W. P. 



