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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIX. 



of those shown in No. 14. This is pure conjecture, but the 

 suggestion is made, not alone for the value of the idea, but 

 because the material of No. 14 is so decidedly different from 

 the vitreous flakes, and that the forms are so peculiar. The 

 stones are much less frequently met with. At the same time 

 we are aware that in those districts where this rock is common 

 it is possible that these flakes may be also of common occur- 

 rence. This we have to discover. 



On reading this to a friend who was much interested in the 

 subject he remarked that it was a pity a little more was not 

 written. My only apology must be that very little more 

 should be written, pending the issue of the Drs. Sarasins' book ; 

 they will probably give us something not merely conjecture, 

 which anything written at this date must surely be. 



Like most men of some experience in life, I have formed 

 opinions regarding the great changes in the past ; but I have 

 no wish to force these views upon others. What is offered, 

 diffidently, is a general, and it is hoped, a not altogether 

 uninteresting selection of ideas, which may at some future 

 time assume shape, and form some foundation for a wider 

 knowledge of these ancients. 



Notes on the Second Selection. 



N.B. — I have endeavoured to forward in this, my last lot 

 of prehistoric stones, none but those which show undoubted 

 signs of the hand of man. To all who have become acquainted 

 with the beautifully worked " flints " with which we were so 

 familiar in our school days, these " attempts " must present a 

 great surprise. The stone is not so workable as the English 

 flint, though really of the same nature. Flint is composed of 

 silica in a purer state perhaps than the coloured crystals of 

 the East. 



Our stones do not seem to lend themselves to " flaking " so 

 well, and really must have exercised the patience of the 

 aborigines, sometimes far beyond usual limits, for rough and 

 apparently unworked as they seem it is difficult at this present 

 day with the present age tools to obtain a flake as desired. 



