No. 58. — 1907.] PREHISTORIC STONES IN CEYLON. 277 



The crystals seem to conform to no special rule. Some of the 

 purest nature have a fracture similar to the " engine turning" 

 on a watch. There are in my possession stones of a very much 

 -earlier age — still Palaeoliths.* They are composed of a material 

 that lends the extreme of uncouthness to these weapons. I 

 arrive at their earlier date from this circumstance alone, for I 

 cannot imagine a " hunter " once making use of such stone, 

 after the discovery of the valuable " vitreous " variety of 

 quartz (or crystals). 



Box marked No. la contains two arrow-heads (weapons). 

 The specimen numbered 33 is a very good instance of rough 

 workmanship ; and it is extremely difficult to imagine how this 

 implement was " insinuated " except by excessive force — the 

 negotiating point, probably lost, could hardly help this much 

 forward, and yet there are signs of much work expended on it. 



The specimen marked 43 is an ordinary surface flake with 

 the corners knocked off — a much more serviceable weapon ; 

 and after a view of No. 33 one can imagine the joy of the pre- 

 historic who secured it. These two stones show such a wide 

 difference in their nature that they fairly mark the extremes 

 in the use of the material obtainable. 



Box marked No. 2a contains 14 arrow-heads (weapons), of 

 which Nos. 36 and 37 were either spoilt in manufacture, or 

 spoilt on contact with a bone. I think the artizan was to 

 blame, for they were found on the some spot. The remaining 

 implements are of the usual " diverse forms " found up-country. 



Box No. 3a are forms of what I surmise are of older origin, 

 judging from the nature of the material. Eoliths are far more 

 likely to be found in the Northern Provinces, for, if the abori- 

 gines entered the Island from the North and gradually passed 

 South and East, the inference is that their vestiges in the 

 Northern Provinces would be of an earlier date. It is quite 

 possible that they entered the Island during the Palaeolithic 

 age. Therefore any flakes from the northern parts of the 

 Island should be of special interest. 



* These stones have suffered from the " weathering," and seem to 

 retain the outline only of the intended weapon. I think the correct 

 term for these stones should be " implements." We can only guess at 

 the purposes for which they were intended and used. 



