CALIFORNIA STONES WITH OVAL HOLES. 175 



like that represented by Fig - . 36 ; but, while it is a little smaller, the hole 

 is larger, measuring about § of an inch across the central portion, from 

 which it widens towards each end. The material is probably basalt, and 

 has been worked into a symmetrical implement. Though not polished, as 

 are so many others, one end is much smoother about the margin of the 

 hole than the other. The central portion of the hole has also been worn 

 smooth. 



Fig. 38 shows another (P. M. 9354) of the same material as the last. 

 It differs from the rest in having the hole 2 inches wide at the surface on 

 one face, and, as shown in the figure, the tapering is not so gradual to- 

 wards the centre as is usual. In the centre the perforation is a little over 

 an inch in diameter. At the other end, the hole is not over H inches wide. 

 The surface adjoining the widest end of the perforation has been consider- 

 ably battered as if by use. 



From the island of San Miguel I have seen three specimens which 

 were collected by Mr. Bowers and are now in the Peabody Museum 

 (13692). As these were received from the Smithsonian Institution, there 

 are probably others of the same character in that museum. The three 

 before me are made of what is probabty basalt, although its character has 

 been so greatly changed by decomposition as to appear now more like a 

 sandstone. They are each about 2 inches, or a little more, in thickness, 

 and vary from 3£ to 4 inches in diameter. The smallest part of the hole 

 is, in each, about an inch in diameter, and it increases in width at both ends, 

 though in the largest the sides of the perforation are straighter than in the 

 other two, and the hole is more nearly of equal diameter throughout. 



In all the specimens described in the foregoing pages the perforations 

 are circular in form. There are, however, six of these stones that have 

 come under my notice in which the holes are oval. They are all of soft 

 material, and it seems probable that the shape of the hole in each is due 

 entirely to the wear of the sides of the stone in a particular direction, 

 owing to some peculiar method of use. Two of these stones with oval 

 holes are shown on Plate X. 



Fig. 23 is a representation of one now in the Smithsonian collection 

 (20367), and was obtained at Das Pueblos by Mr. Schumacher. It is 



