Stone Implements in Lateritic formations. 19 



; Occasionally the Implement is found to have been trim- 

 med all round, but the sharp cutting edge occurs only at 

 one end, and is then as in almost all cases caused by the 

 meeting of two large plane surfaces, each apparently the 

 result of one well applied blow of the trimming instrument. 



Whether these Implements were used as axes or wedges, 

 in other words were fitted with handles or held in the hands 

 only, it is of course impossible to decide, but they certainly 

 give the impression of having been effective instruments 0 

 There is no evidence yet to show whether or not the makers 

 of these rude stone Implements used canoes, but it seems 

 not improbable that they did. If they were acquainted 

 with the art of hollowing out tree stems with fire, the larger 

 and heavier specimens of wedge shaped Implements would 

 furnish admirable tools for scooping and chopping away 

 the charred wood from the sides so as to allow of fresh ap- 

 plications of fire till the excavation of the canoe had pro- 

 gressed sufficiently. The larger specimen of this form 

 would more especially have been suitable for such a purpose, 

 e. g. a specimen found by Mr. King at Kircumbaddy, 

 which measured 12 inches by 4 or 5 inches and is of consi- 

 derable weight. 



The smaller specimens such as those figured in Plates XI 

 and XII must have been very formidable weapons if fixed 

 to handles like axes — and would have served to inflict ter- 

 rible wounds on any foe. 



For cutting wood, if they ever were applied to such a pur- 

 pose, their power would probably be very inferior, as they 

 would most likely lose all their edge after a very few blows. 

 In some few specimens the cutting edge is quite on one side 

 and suggests the idea of their having possibly been used as 

 adzes, with the edge placed transversely to the axis of the 

 handle to which they may have been adapted. 



