23 
good forgery of a flint core (the nucleus from which a series of 
flakes has been struck off, plate 4, fig. 1), although he attempted to 
do so several times. 
The position in which 44 Flint Jack” is represented, as sitting, is 
that in which he regularly works, substituting a bank in some 
secluded spot for the stool given in the photograph. His mode of 
work is simple in the extreme, and his tools are of the most 
primitive description. His success arises entirely from the skill 
acquired by long practice, although there is no doubt that he 
possesses natural abilities, which, properly directed, would have 
made him not merely a useful member of society, but a most 
valuable assistant to the Geologist or the Archaeologist. 
The specimens exhibited were made with the hammer which he 
is represented as holding in his hand. There is, however, no 
peculiarity in the form of it, and, indeed, it is an old one which 
Dr. H. P. Blackmore gave him. 
After jiaking off suitable pieces with his hammer, 44 Flint Jack” 
works away the edges of the flakes by chipping them first on the 
one side, and then on the reverse, the tool used being merely an old 
iron staple, doubtless stolen from some gate. Should he wish to 
give a notched outline to his arrow points (at best but a miserable 
imitation of that exquisite /serrated edge seen to perfection in 
Scandinavian specimens), he presses the stump of an old bradawl 
skilfully against the edge of the arrow point, which cuts out the 
notches as seen in Nos. ( ) 
• “ Flint Jack,” like the pre-historic tool makers, can form these 
arrow points and weapons, simply by using another flint of con¬ 
venient shape, but, of course, he would merely do so to show the 
possibility of accomplishing the result with such a tool. Mr. 
Evans, f.s.a., f.g.s., so well known in connection with the drift 
flint implements, has practically demonstrated the possibility of 
forming these implements with tools of stone only; and a gentle¬ 
man in this city (Mr. Shorto), whose collection of flint sponges 
has attracted so much attention, was able to fracture flints with 
extreme precision, using another flint only for the purpose. Had 
he been so minded, he could have made as good arrow-points as 
44 Flint Jack,” for whilst he possessed great scientific knowledge, 
he also had a most thorough practical acquaintance with the weight 
and the direction of the blow necessary to attain any particular 
result. 
4 4 Flint Jack” is a most disreputable character; he is a most 
inveterate drunkard; and so long as he has money will remain in 
a state of intoxication frequently even for several consecutive 
days. His health appears to be rapidly giving way, in consequence 
oi this habitual intemperance; he is, of course, frequently in a 
state of destitution and positive want, and, indeed, says himself that 
he rarely makes any of his best forgeries unless he is absolutely 
starving. 44 Flint Jack” can assume an air of almost idiotic 
simplicity, and it is at such times, or when he professes to treat 
