12 
yielded us some flint-cores (see Nos. 41 to 45), whilst the speci¬ 
mens of flaking in the collection are very numerous. 
All collectors are aware that dozens of ill defined, and (for the 
tool-maker’s purpose) useless flakes, occur to one of a well-marked 
and definite form; yet, shapeless as these rejected or spoilt flakes 
look to an ordinary observer, they bear the stamp of human work 
in a manner not to be mistaken. 
In order to make a core, the outside rough surface must be 
dressed off before work can be commenced to much purpose. You 
naturally expect, therefore, to find these rejected proofs of the 
ancient tool-makers’ trade, and whether in bone cave, site of old 
settlement, or even beneath the Sarsen stones at Avebury, such is 
the case. In striking off flakes from the core, it is necessary to 
give a smart shock to the mass rather than a heavy blow; this 
shock should be given with a pointed tool, and many of the flakes 
in this Case show that they ivere struck off with such a tool. 
Practice alone can teach the operator how to measure the force he 
employs. If the tap (which should be given as it were and with¬ 
drawn) is too heavy, the flake splinters out from the core abruptly, 
and does not taper off as should be the case ; here are more waste 
flakes to mark the site of the operation. If the blow is not smart 
enough, the flake will exhibit a series of waves upon its inner 
surface, bearing evidence of the want of skill in its production. 
The experience of travellers is to the effect that with modern 
stone tool makers, time being of little object, chipping flint affords 
much the same amusement as whittling a stick is said to furnish to 
a people by no means in their “ stone age.” We may believe that 
this held good in ancient times; what wonder then that so many 
chips exist. The material was abundant enough, the winter 
evenings tediously long, whistling “ for want of thought” possibly 
had not come into fashion, and chipping flint, perhaps, stood in the 
stead of the mental process or its physical substitute. 
Viewed in this light, apparently un-tool-like flint flakes, if only 
they exhibit a trace of design in the manner and direction of the 
blow which severed them from the mass, become of interest, and 
are not so readily found on any heap of wayside stones as may be 
imagined by a person who has never tried the experiment. 
41 to 45. Flint “ cores,” found by Dr. H. P. Blackmore, in a field 
at Petersfinger, near Salisbury. 
46 to 51. Rough outside flint flakes, with a cutting edge worked 
off on one side, and the thick back left, found at Petersfinger, 
by Dr. H. P. Blackmore. Flakes of this form could be used 
in the hand without inconvenience, as knives or skin scrapers. 
That sharpened stones are used for such purposes is well 
known; thus the aborigines of Australia prepare their kan¬ 
garoo skin mantles, by cutting them into shape and scraping 
away the inner surface until the skin becomes soft and pliable, 
and this is done with sharpened stones only. 
