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v Hemispheres, Spheres. Small objects, 
usually of polished stone, the use of which 
has not been fully determined; they are 
therefore classed with problematical ob- 
jects. The more typical forms, found in 
the mounds, are often of hematite and, like 
the cones, rarely exceed a few ounces in 
weight. Hemispheres are comparatively 
numerous, but spheres referable to this 
group are rare. Hammerstones and 
stones used as club-heads (see Clubs, 
Hammers ) are often spherical, but usually 
they are not well finished, and occa- 
sionally large cannonball-like stones are 
found which can not be properly classed 
with the smaller polished objects. The 
base of the hemispheres is flat, rarely 
slightly hollowed out, and varies from a 
circle to a decided ellipse, while the ver- 
tical section departs considerably from a 
true semicircle. Typical objects of this 
g roup are most plentiful in the middle 
>hio valley. It is surmised that they 
served in playing some game, as talismans 
or charms, or for some special shaman- 
istic purpose. According to Grinned 
(inf n, 1906) small balls of stone are still 
used by some Plains tribes in a game. 
Little girls roll them on the ice in winter, 
trying to move a small stick resting on 
the ice in front of the opposing party, 
perhaps 20 ft distant. If the stick is 
stick is not moved, the ball 
Hemisphere of Hema- is rolled by One of the OD- 
tite: Wpst Virginia • . t 
rests on the ice in front of her opponent. 
A small stone sphere was used by the 
Pima of Arizona in a kicked ball game, 
and numerous small spheres, usually of 
soft stone, are found in prehistoric ruins 
in Salt river valley of the same territory. 
Consult Eau in Smithson. Cont.., xxti, 
1877; Fowke (1) in 13th Eep. B. A. E., 
1896, (2) Archseol. Hist. Ohio, 1902; 
PIrdlicka in Am. Anthrop., vm, no. 1, 
1906; Moorehead, Prehist. Impls. 1900; 
Cushing in Compte-rendu Internat. Cong. 
touched and moved, the 
side which rolls the ball 
may roll it again, and a 
point is counted. If the 
posing party who endeav- 
ors to movethestick which 
Am., vix, 178, 1890. 
(w. H. H.) 
