Haynes.) 
388 
[February 1, 
feet. On one side of this excavation my eye was attracted by a 
curved band of dark-colored soil, from three to five feet below 
the original surface of the soil, a few inches thick, and extending 
for a distance of a rod or two. It presented a striking contrast 
to the “hard-pan” in which it was contained, and at once 
reminded me of the appearance of places I had seen in Italy, which 
the archaeologists there call u fonde di capcinne delVeta della pie- 
tra ,” or “hut-bottoms of the age of stone.” These very marked 
spots indicate where man has long dwelt in ages far remote, and 
where he has left abundant traces of his presence, both in the 
band of discolored, nitrogenous soil, arising from the decomposi- 
tion of his food, and in numerous relics of his weapons and his 
tools. Such a likely-looking spot as this I was eager to investi- 
gate carefully, and the result was the finding of several imple- 
ments, some of which are here, and which you will perceive to be 
precisely similar to those from the other localities. This place 
also was one well adapted for man’s occupation. It was on a 
sheltered hill-side, by a fine spring, and near a small stream that 
must always have abounded in fish. 
Upon examination it will be found that these new types con- 
sist principally of simple forms of implements, one side of which 
was perfectly adapted to be held in the hand, while the opposite 
one could very well be used for chopping or cutting. Others dis- 
play a certain rough symmetry, and have evidently been brought 
to an edge all around, to such a degree that it is not possible to 
regard them as natural or accidental forms. They all, however, 
seem inferior in form to the more symmetrical shape of the 
St. Acheul axe, which shows plain indications of design and 
fashion. Some of the implements have an elongated form, 
rather resembling chisels in their shape ; while still others are 
much smaller and have more of the character of knives. Occa- 
sionally I have found with them the ordinary type of “skin- 
scraper,” abundant wherever the industry of the age of stone 
has been studied ; and sometimes little sharp-pointed “ piercers,” 
intended, I suppose, to make holes in the skins that were used for 
clothing. 
It will be noticed that all of these rude and simple tools have 
been fabricated out of the hardest, heaviest, toughest kinds of 
