622 THE ICE AGE IN NORTH AMERICA. 



The implements discovered by Dr. Metz and Mr. Cresson, 

 and now also in the Peabody Museum, are as palpable human 

 tools as any I ever saw, although, on account of the inferior 

 quality of the material of which they are made, they are not 

 equal in excellence to similar objects of like age in Europe. 

 I can not conceive of any one, who has a proper acquaintance 

 with the subject, entertaining a moment's question as to their 

 artificial character. 



By this frank expression of my conviction, I have en- 

 deavored, as best I can, to answer your questions, and remain, 



Sincerely yours, 



Henry W. Haynes. 



A still further question with regard to these implements 

 relates to their genuineness. Their present commercial value 

 offers temptation for their forgery, and there can be no doubt 

 that hundreds of implements of the very earliest type have 

 been made to order and sold to unsuspecting collectors. 

 Still, however perfect these forgeries may be in form, only 

 the inexperienced and the unwary can be deceived by them. 

 There are certain chemical changes affecting the superficial 

 aspect of an implement which time only can produce. A 

 fresh flake can readily be distinguished by a practiced eye. 

 As yet not enough is known of the rapidity with which 

 weathering takes place under stated conditions, to make it a 

 basis for chronological calculation ; but the difference be- 

 tween a very ancient implement and a very recent one is 

 easily enough detected. It is a significant fact early observed, 

 and supported by all recent discoveries (if we except those 

 in California, of which further mention will be made), that 

 in America as in Europe the implements found in glacial 

 deposits are all of a peculiar type. None but implements of 

 stone have been found in these deposits ; and of the stone 

 implements none are polished and smooth, but all are rude 

 in form and roughly flaked. From their evident antiquity, 

 as will be shown a little later, these rough stone implements 

 are called palceolithic (Gr. iraXcuo? "old," and \l0os, 



