232 



IMPLEMENTS MADE OF WOOD. 



but slightly altered, except toward the point, where it has been cut or ground 

 away so as to make a rather sharp point and double edge, which is better 

 adapted for thrusting than for cutting. The later explorations on the islands 

 have furnished so many specimens of these weapons as to prove that they 

 were formerly in common use. From the graves on the island of Santa 

 Catalina alone over twenty specimens were obtained by Mr. Schumacher 

 (P. M. 13125-15126). Several of these have small holes on the margin of 

 the bone at the " hilt," and it is hardly to be questioned that these blades, 

 made of porpoise-jaws, were mounted in handles, very likely of wood. One 

 small jaw about 6 inches long (P. M. 13392) has been worked into a regu- 

 lar dagger, and when furnished with a handle must have been an efficient 

 weapon. Similar dagger-like blades made of other kinds of bones are also 

 in the Peabody Museum ; one obtained by Mr. Bowers on the island of 

 Santa Cruz (P. M. 13766) is a good example of these. 



A fine- specimen of a wooden sword was obtained by Mr. Schumacher 

 from a grave on the island of Santa Cruz, and is now in the Smithsonian 

 collection (No. 18312). It is shown, of one-quarter of its length, in Fig. 



Wooden sword, with an inlaid handle, J. 



J 14. The blade is very thin and not quite 2 inches in width at its widest 

 part. The total length of the weapon is 18 J inches, of which the handle 

 forms about one-fifth. The blade is well and symmetrically pointed, and its 

 edge was formerly sharp. It is probable, however, that the weaTpon was 

 used, like the thin swords of bone, more for thrusting than for cutting. 

 Additional interest attaches to this weapon on account of the elaborate 

 ornamentation of the handle, as indicated in the figure. Many pieces of 

 brilliant abalone shell, each about -& of an inch wide and -rw of an inch long, 

 are arranged side by side, in seven rows on each side of the handle. This 

 inlaid work is neatly done, and the pieces of shell are held in place by a 

 thin cement of asphaltum, the whole forming a piece of ornamental work 

 of considerable excellence. 



