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RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA.
1 •.\' I lARK'^ 1 •! ]^:KS.
Frtiin till 'rrinisdcHnn.-: i>l iln .Xmii Scu/ion lnslHiilr 'J Si-iiiir(.
!'(</. /.v. Srs.sinii !S:"r''.',.
jiiithin-'.^siiiiiriilis r--.s-i(M/, Miif'ih. n''i:.
l ^ I
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■V i
Vi V
i
IV.— Relics of the Stone Age in Nova Scotia. By
Harry Piers.
(limd 131 h May, 1S95.)
Not lonpf fin^o I !iiul the liouonr of reading before the Institute
of Science a paper (lescril)in<,m number of aborinrinal relies found
in tliis province. It was based on a study of the many excellent
s[)ecimens ])reserved in the cases of the Provincial Museum,
Halifax. Since that time, a (,uantity of undescribed and very
interesting nuiterial has been jjlaced in my hands, which I shall
herein describe.
A number of years ago the late Charles W. Fairbanks, Esq.,
C. E., formed a collection of stone implements which had been
discovered in Nova Scotia. Most of these relics were given to
him by William M. King who found them while clearing and
plowing the land on his farm at the head of Grand Lake,
Halif.ix County. The place was doubtless a prehistoric camping
ground, but I <lo not know whether the Micmacs continued to
re.sort there within the memory of man.
Mr. Fairbanks's collection is now the property of his son,
Charles R. Fairbanks, Es(j., of Halifax, to whom I am indebted
for permission to examine and describe the specimens. Very
unfoi'tunately none of them bear labels, and therefore the exact
localities where they were found are unknown ; but there is no
doubt that they are Nova Scotian, and probably nearly all were
found on Mr. King's farm.
I have also to thank several other gentlemen whose names
are subsequently mentioned, foi' ])ernnssion to study implements
in their possession.
These specimens, together with some in the McCulloch collec-
tion of Dalhousie College Museum, and others of my own,
constitute the material upon which the present paper is founded.*
* Judge DesHrisay of Bridgewiitcr, X. S., most co\irteously offered ine the privilege
of exaiiiiiiing iind dosiTibiiig his cxcenciit collection of aboriginal rcinaiiiH ; but I have
Ko far been unable to tiike advantage of his kindness.
(20)
27, KELICS OF 'JHE STONE A(JE IN NOVA SCOTIA — I'lERS.
LESCAKHOT's account of THE MICMACS.
Before entering upon a description of those implements, it
may be well to consider tli(^ habits of our Indians as described
in the writiuf^s of one of tlie early voyagers. This will helj) us
much to understand the subject with which we deal. The first
exact and extensive account of the Micmacs, and by far the most
interesting, is to be obtained from thedeso-iption of New France
written by the old French advocate, Mark Lescarbot, who in
KiOG accompanied Pouti'incourt to Acadie. He dwelt for some
time at Port Ro^al, now known as Annajwlis, which had been
founded in the previt)us yeai* by Pieiro du (Juast, Comte de
Monts From nn English vei'sion* of Lescarbot's rare book, in
the library of the late Dr. AUins, I have made some transcripts
which follow in the (|uaint language and spelling of the
ti'anslatoj-. These extracts will be of great interest to any who
sire studying the archa'ology of Nova Scotia, for Lescarbot wrote
at the pei'iod when iron im])lements were only beginning to
sup|)lant those of stone. ])i'. J. B. (iilpin has already given us
much information gathered from this writei", but seldom in the
hitter's language.
Speaking of the dress of the Indians, Lescarbot says they wore
"a skin tied to a latch oi- girdle of leather, which passing
between their buttocks joineth the other end of tlie said latch
behind : and for the rest of their garments, tliey have a cloak on
their backs made of manj' .skins, whether they be of otters or of
beavers, and one only skin, whether it be of ellnn, or stng's skin,
bear, or lucerne, whi ih cloak is tied upward with a leather
ribband, and the}- thi'ust commonly one arm out ; but being in
their cabins the}' put it ofi", unless i^ be C(Ul....As for the
women, they difi'er only in one thing, that is, they have a girdle
over the skin they have on : and do resemble (without compari-
^ "Nova Fi'iiiicia : or, (liu Dcscriiilioii Of tlint I'art of New Kriiiu-p. AVhioli is one
Continent witii Virginia .[by Alark Lescarbot, aiUocate]. Translated out of tho
Kreneli into KnKlisli. by P. K |ron('.elle]." Tlio Alvins eoi)y is Ixiiind se)>arately, but it
originally formed pj). 7!)o-"J17 of the swiiikI \oluine of Osborne's (nihdioii of I'oj/aiicN
anil Tfovcl.s, vomtnhd from the Vurioitu and Valuable Librar// ofthr F,arl of Oxford,
London, 174.')-}", •! vols., folio, generally called the Harleiun Collection of Voyages.
\
I'lEHS.
[>leinents, it
lis (loscribed
will hoi)) us
I. The Hrst
far the most
New France
■Itot, wlu) in
At for st)nie
h had been
t, Conite (le
ire l)0()k, in
' transcripts
iinr of the
to any who
carhot wrote
)oginnin<if to
(ly (riven us
]<U)ni in the
ysthey wore
hieh passing:;
he said hitch
k'e a cloak on
f (^ttei's or of
r stdg's skin,
Ith a leather
l)ut bein^ in
.As for the
uive a girdle
jut eonipari-
K'P. Wliii'h is one
ilated out of the
iciiiirately. but it
rfioii of 1'oi/u(icn
r Karl of Oxford,
of Voyages.
\
RELICS OF THE STONE A(iE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 28
son) the pictures that be made of St. John Baptist. But in
winter, they make ffood beaver sleeves, tied behind, which keep
tlu'iu very warm ... .Our savages in the winter, going to .sea,
era hunting, do ii-^e great atid high stockings, like to our boot-
liosen ; which they tie to their girdles, and at the sides outward,
there is a great number of points without taggs ...Besides
these long stockings, our savages do use shoes, which they call
nicbizm, winch they fasldon very ])roperly, but they cannot
dure long, especially when they go into watry places, because
they be not curried nor hardened, but only made after the
mannei" of butt', which is the hide of an ellan....As foi- the
head attire, none of the savages have atiy, unless it be that some
of the Idther lands truck their skins with Frenchmen for hats
and ca])s : but rather both men and women wear their liairs
Hitterii>g over thcii- shoulders, neither bound nor tied, except
that the men do tru.ss them up;jn the ci'own of the head, some
four fiiigei's length, with a leather lace, which they let hang
down behind." [Book II, chaj). i.x.]
Describing the complexion of the savages, Lescarbot says:
" T'.iey are all of an olive colour, or rather tawny colour, like to
the Spaniards, not that i\\^iy be so born, but being the most part
of the time naked, they grease their bodies, and <1() anoint them
sometimes with oil, for to defend them from the tiies, which are
very troublesome All they which I have seen have black
hairs, s(jme excepted which have Abraham colour hairs ; but of
Haxen colour I have seen none, and less of red." [Book II,
cliap. x.]
The Indiiins "have matacliin.s, hanging at their ears, and
about their necks, bodies, arms, and legs. The Brasilians,
Floi'idians, and Arinouchi(|uois, do make carkenets and bracelets
(called boii-re in Brasil, and by ours matachias) of the shells of
those great sea cockles, which be calleil vignols, like unto snails,
which they break and gather up in a thousand pieces, then do
smooth them upon a hot stone, until they do make them very
small, and having pierced them, they make them beads with
them, like unto that which we call porcelain. Among those
29 HKLICS OF THE STONE AfJE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
liends tlioy iiitcnnin^k' between spaco.s other bonds, hh black as.
those which I have spoken oi to be white, luado with jet, or cer-
tain ha)(l and bhick wood which is like unto it, which they smooth
and make small as they list, and this hath a very good grace. . . .
They esteem them more than pearls, gold or silver .... But
in Port Royal, and in the confines thereof, and towai'ds New-
foundland, and at Tadoussac, where they have neither pearls nor
vignols, the maids and women do iiiake iiHthwliuis, with the
quills or bristles of the porcupine, which they dye with black,
white, and red colours, as lively as possibly may be, for our
scarlets have no better lustre than their red dye ; liut they more
esteem the matacliias which come, unto them fi'om the Armcnichi-
(|Uois country, and they buy them \c^vy deai' ; and that because
they can get no gi'eat ([Uanity of them, by reason of the wars
that those nations have continually one against another. There
are brought unto them from France i>j(<^/r'A./«<.w made with small
(piills of glass mingled with tin or lead, which are trucked with
them, and itieasured by the fathom, for want of an ell." [Book
II, chap, xii.]
"Our savages have no base exercise, all their sport being^
either the wars or hunting ... or in m<U<ing implements tit for
the same, as Caesar witnesseth of the ancient Germans, or in
dancing . . . or in passing the time in play." Lescarbot then
describes their bows and arrows, but as I have elsewhere
referred to this account, it niay be here (nnitted. " They also,"
he says, " made wooden mases, or clubs, in the fashion of an
abbot's statf, for the war. and shields which cover all their
bodies As for the (piivers that is the women's trade.
For fishing: the Armouchi(|Uois which have hemp do make fish-
ing lines with it, but ours that have not any manuring of the
ground, do truck for them with Frenchmen, as also for fishing-
hooks to bait for fish ; only they make with guts bow-strings,
and rackets, which they tieat their feet to go upon the snow a
hunting.
" And for as much as the necessity of life doth constrain
them to change place often, whether it be for fishing (for every
been
but t
\\
trees
with
lik(!Wi
when
(in tlu
than
in hun
3'et CO
of the!
(Jr
ing 111;
troug
puttin
repine
chap.
lERS.
Mack jiH
et, or ciT-
vy siudoth
^fraco ....
r . . . . But
j-(ls Now-
|)i'arlH nor
with the
itli hhick,
, t'ijr our
thi'y more
Ai'inouchi-
at hecauso
the wai's
ur. Thoro
witli small
icked with
11." [Hook
iport Ijeing'
lents tit for
laus, or in
;arl)ot then
elsewhei'e
They also,"
hion of an
'V all their
ien'8 tra(ie.
make Hsh-
v'mg of the
for fishing-
)ow-strings,
the snow a
h constrain
■ (for every
i
RELICS OP THK STONK A«iE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIKIIS. .30
place hath its particular fish, which come thithtu- in certain
season) they have need of liorses in thtsir remove for to carry
their stufi! Those liorses he canoes and small lioats made of
hai'ks of trees, which go as swiftly as may hc! without sails :
when they ren\ove they put all that tln^y hav(! into them, wives,
children, dogs, kettles, hatches, iiutdw/iian, i)()ws, arrows, (piivi'rs,
skins, and tlu; cov(!rings of theii- liouses. . . . They also make
somi' of willows very propei-jy, which they cover with the . . •
gum of tirr-trees ; a thing which witnesscth that they lack no
wit, where necessity presseth them." [liook II, chap, xvii.]
Lescarhot says that anciently tlu! Souriipiois oi- Micmacs
nuide earthen pots and also did till the gi'ound ; " hut since that
Frenchmen do bring unto them k(!ttles, heans, pease, Uiskc^t and
other food, tlie^' are hecome slothful, and maki; no more account
of those exercises." [IJook II, chajt. xvii.]
Elsewhere in the voIuiik! the writer also tells us tlwit the
labour of grinding coi-n to maki! bread " is so great, that the
savages (although they be very poor) cainiot liear it : and had
rather to be without biead,than to take so much pains, as it hath
been tried, ott'ei-ing them half of tht; grniding they should do,
but they chused rather to have no corn." [Hook J, chap, viii.]
Writing of the women, he says, that " when the barks of
trees must be taken ott'in the spring-time, or in smnmer, there-
with to over their liouses, it is they which do that woi'k : as
likewise they labour in t\w making of canoes and small boats,
when they are to be made; and as for the tilling (jf the ground
(in the countries when^ they use it) they take therein more pains
than the men, who do play the gentlemen, and have no care but
in hunting, or of wars, And notwithstanding all their labours,
yet commonly they love tlu'ir husbands more than the women
of these our parts." [Book 11, chap, xviii.]
Once Lescarbot saw meat cooked b}' an Indian in the follow-
ing inanner. The savage " did frame witii his hatchet, a tubb or
trough of the body of a tree," in which he boiled the fiesh by
putting " stones made red hot in tiie tire in the said trough," and
replacing them by others until the meat was cooked. [Book II,
chap, xxi.]
31 RELICS OF THE STONE A(iK IN NOVA SCOTIA — I'lEIlS.
Si)('iil<in<,' of soiiM^ Tmliniis who follnwofl tlio French vpssp]
ftloni; the siiiids, " with their hows in hiitnl, iind theii* (|uivers
ujion their hacks, iilways sin;,'inf; iiiid (hinciii^', not tiikinj,' euro
with what they should live \>y the wii}'," the worthy ii<lvocato
exchiinih with enthnsiusni, "Happy ])eop|eI yea. a thousand
times more ha[)py than they which in these paits ina(h' thoin-
selvcs to be worshippcMl ; if they had the knf)wUMl^r(. of (Jod and
of their salvation." [Hook I, chap. xiv.J
We shall now leaves the old F'rench narrator and proceed to
discuss tlu! exaniph's of alti)ii;,dnal skill with which this paper
is chiefly concerned. In classifying; the specimens, [ haves jirinci-
pall}' adopted the arrnne;enient <;iven hy Dr. Charles Hun in his
account of the ai'cha'olofficMl collection of the rnited States
National Museum (\Vashin<:ton, I.S7().) In a few cases, how-
ever, I have found it necessary to depart sli^ditly from his
nomenclatuj'e.
A. — KLAKEI) AM) CHIPPED .STONE.
Arroiv-hcdds. — The collection before me contains eleven speci-
mens which I have so denominated (Plate I, Fi^'s. I to II ). This is
rather a small numhei-, hut it is very likely that several have been
lost or ^iven away since the formation of the collection. Some of
the implements arc Haked with ^'reat skill. With one exception,
to he hereafter noted, all are foi-med of silicious stones, mostly
jaspideous, such as are found in the western j)arts of the ])r()-
vince. None have been polished in any de<,'ree. All are the
result of thti ordinary })r()cess of Hakin<; by pressui'e. The
points are mostly unfracturecl. In len<,'th the specimens vary
from 1'25 it). (Fi^. H) to nearly 27.'3 ins. (Fi<i^. 4). Laj-ger imple-
ments of this kind are denominated " sjieai'-heads," The dis-
tinction, however, is an arbitiary one; for without the handle,
which almost invariably has utterly decayed, there is no means
by which an arclueoloj^ist, in the present state of our knowledge,
can form a fixed rule by which he may a.ssei't positively whether
a given head was used as a spear, an arrow, or a knife. It is
veiy likely that some of the larger so-called arrow-heads, as well
as many of the " .spear-heads," were hafted and employed aa.
I'lEllS.
RELIf'S OF TlIK STONE AfJE IN NOVA SCOTIA— PIRRS. 32
'ticli vossel
ii'ii- (|niv»'iH
tukinj,' euro
ly udvocato
)l tllOUNHIld
inudc tliciii-
oF (i()(| aiil
proceed to
til is |)iip('r
li)i\r [irinci-
Hau ill his
litfMl States
cnsvs, liow-
y f'naii his
L! I even speci-
11). Til is is
a! have hecai
>n. Some of
10 exception,
'iios, mostly
of the pro-
All are the
ssni-e. The
iinens vary
-r^'ci" imple-
The dis-
the handle.
i no means
knowledge,
sly whether
iiife. It is
ads, as well
II ployed aa
cutting,' tools. Owin^'to this uncertainty as to the method of uso,
Dr. Wilson of the U. H. National Museum, in his Study of Pro-
historic Arclueoloi^y (l(S!M)), treats of all these implements uiuler
th(( <,'oneral hea<l of "arrow- ^>l' s[)ear-heads, or knives."
Two specimens (Figs. I — 2) aro hsaf-shaped with roimded
(convex) liases. Tlu! pj-oportions and finish of one of theso
(Fig. 2) makes it possihlc that it may have boon a leaf-shapeil
im|)lement cither intend<;d IoIhj hafti'(| as a knife, or else insfsrted
in tht^ head of a cluh. In aj)pearance it resembles some of tho
pala'olithic implements of Kuidpc, and it jii-o'iably belongs to
that hitherto much negh'cted clas.s of aboriginal reinains which
])r. Wilson considers to bo indicative of a pala'olithic period in
American archaM/loi'v. Professor Wilson's i-e.searches in thi.s
direction are most intcu'esting and important, and op(Mi a new
and wide held for investigation.*
Another specimen (length IS in.) is straight-sided with a
slightly concave base (Fig. 'i). I"'ive well-formed specimens ( Figs.
4-(S)are notched at the sides near the base. This class includes both
th(! laigest and tin? smallest example (2'7r) — 1'2 ins.). 1'hefoi'iner
(Fig. 4) would have been grouped with the spear-heads but for
its slight proportions. A sixth specimen (Fig. U) is brt)ken, biit
po.ssilily belongs to this class. Only one (Fig. 10) is stemnu'd and
has a, slightly concave base. The stem, like tho notched sides
before mentioned, was to facilitate the attachment of the head
to a shaft. The last specimen to be considered, is barlu'd and
stenmied (Fig. 11). It is loO inch in length, and is neatly
chi[)ped fi'om an olive-green or slightly smoky-coloured mate-
rial, which from the smooth, curved surface of one side, and
other appearances, seems to bt; nothing but bottle-glass.
An interesting account of the bows and arrows of our Indiana
is found in tho (piaint accoinit of the old French advocate before
cpioted. The l)ows, saith Lescarbot, " be strong and without
finenes.s." " As for arrows," continueth he, " it is an adnnrable
* Vide "■'"■ -^inas Wilson's " Itesiilts of nn Inquiry as to the existence of Man in North
America \iy . . tlie Paleolithic I'eriotl of ti>o Stone Age." I Report of U. S. ^>'at.
Museum, 18i5"-88>.
33 RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
tiling how they can make them so long and so strait [sic] with
a knife, yea with a stone only, where they liave no knives.
They feather them with the feathers of an eagle's tail, ln'cause
they are firm and carry themselves well in the air : and when
they want them they will give a beaver's skin, yea, twain for
one of tiiose tails. For the hoa<I, the savages that have traffic
witli Frenchmen do head them with iron heads which are brought
to them ■, but t!)e Armouchiquois,* an<l others more remote, have
nothing but bones made like serpents' tongues, or with [.s*/c] the
tail of a certain fish called fiicnau. ... As for the quivers, that
is the women's trade." Row-strings, accor<ling to the same
authority, were made of intestines, and snow-shoes or rackets
were strunt; with the same matei'ial.
Spear-heads (or C'lfting Implements^. — Two stemmed
speci'Mi.'Ps (B^igs. 12-13), one perfect, the other without the point,
are in the Fairbaid<s collection. I'he uninjured one is three
inclies long, an(i tlie other, without doubt, was the same length.
Two fragments (Figs. 14-15), one of which (Fig. 14) had been a
ver>' beautiful and delicate weaj)on, may also be placed in the
present class. A fifth specimen (Fig. IG), 3;iO inches long and
somewhat thick, foruuMl f)f an argillaceous stone, rougldy fiaked,
may be a spear-heail or else a leaf-shaped implement for use as a
cutting tool ;>!" for insertion in the head of a club.
The McCulloch collection, Dalhousie College, Halifax, contains
a fsw stone implements, among which is a stemmed and slightly
barbed spear -head (Fis:. 82), 4 inches in length and k ^5 inches
in greatest breadth. The same collection also contains a leaf-
shaped implenipment (Fig. 81) of white quartz, 47;) inches long
and 2 inches in (greatest breadth.
There remain to be described a couple of implements which
may best l)e considered here, although, strictly speaking, they
are of polished stone. The inconsistency of placing tiiem under
the general head of flaked implements, is immaterial and may
be pardoned.
Ml
drawl
whiclj
mad el
ment|
been
regul
*Thc IiulianH who lived in what is now New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
— PIERS.
lit [fiic] with
' no knives,
tail, liccause
• : and when
I, twain fo»"
have traffic
are brought
•emote, have
ith [sic] the
uivers, that
) tlie same
or rackets
> stemmed
It the point,
^ne is three
ime lenrrth.
had been a
iced in the
!S lono- and
:bly flaked,
for use us a
X, contains
^d slinrjitly
' ^0 inches
ns a leaf-
iches long
nts which
:ing, they
em under
and may
setts.
RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 34
Mr Henry Sorette, of Bridgewater, N. S., has sent me a
drawing of a very remarkable implement of unusual length
which was found with other relics while e^-^avations were beincif
made for a canal at Milton, Queen's Couinv, N. S. The imple-
ment may be likened to a poniard blade. Apparently it had
been ground into shape. It is 18 inches long and tapers
regularly from 175 inch in width at the base, to about -75 of an
inch (according to the drawing) in width at a distance of about
three-quarters of an inch from the end, where it suddenly
diminishes to a point. Mr. Sorette's drawing seems to indicate
a central line of elevation from base to point. My informer
thinks it is made of hard slute. While being taken from the
ground, it was broken into four pieces. Doubtless this relic was
a ceremonial implement, such as some of the exquisitely flaked
blades, long and delicate, which have been found in California.*
Its fragile character would forbid an}' rou<^h usage such as that
of war or sport. Stranf^e to say, one or more other implements
of this type were discovered with it at Milton. Mr. John S.
Hughes of the Milton Pidp Company, in a letter to me relative
to tliis discovery, says, ' quite a number of lelics were found
when we were excavating for the canal ; they consisted of stone
chisels, gouges, and ' swords or fisli-spcars ' about 20 to 24 inches
long [i. e., poniard-shaj^ed stone blades, one of which has just
been descril)ed]. The aiticles were generally kept by the tinders.
Out of the lot I got one irou<je, and Mr. Sorette has one of the
swords."
In the McCuUoch collection already referred to, there is a
polished slate " spear-head " with a stem notched on the sides to
facilitate the attachment of a handle or shaft (Fig. 88). A
portion of the point, probably about three-quarters of an inch, is
missing. It measures nearly (JoO inches in length, by 1'35 inch
in width at the ba.se of the blade, from which place it tapers
very gradually to the broken point. The central portion of the
blade is flat. This flat part is bordered on both sides by con-
*.See Report of U. S. Ocographical Surveys west of lonth Mrri'finn, vol. vii,
(ArchBBology), page 49 et seq.
35 RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
= 1
spicious bevels, thus fonninfj the eilges. The specimen is
unhibelled, but all of the implements in the cnllecfion of which
it forms part are understood to have been found in Nova Scotia.
Ground stone implements of this kind are extremely tare in the
province. Dr. J. B. Gilpin in his account of the stone a^e of
Nova Scotia (Tranfiactionfi N. S. I. N'. S., vol. iii.) mentions an
arrow-head which was polished like a celt and made of hardened
slate ; and a spear-head also of slate, similarly fashioned, is
referred to in my account of the aboriojinal remains in the
Provincial Museum. These aro all which have come to my
notice.
Before passinj^ to the next class, I may repeat that I consider
it extremely unlikely that the implements now under notice
were actually used as spear-points. Arrow-shaped implements
more than 275 inches in length, have been denc^ininated
spear-heads in this paper moi'e from the general custom of
archa3ologists than my own inclinations. Lescarbot makes no
mention of spears as one of the weapons of the Micmacs or
Souriquois of his day, although he enumerates with a good deal
of detail their other implements of war, such as bows and arrows,
and clubs.* This negative evidence has not been sufficiently
noted. It is far n)oi'e probable that most of the so- called
spear-heads and leaf-shaped implements found in Nova Scotia,
are knives. Our Micmaos had stone tools for fashioning bows
and arrow-shafts and for skinning animals, and yet they aro
seldom recognized by collectors. This indicates that the Indian
knife has been confoundetl with some other implement which it
resembles. " Collectors are very ready," says Dr. Rau, '■ to class
chipped stone articles of certain forms occurring throughout the
United States as arrow- and lance-heads." Such has been much
the habit of our local writers. The spear-shaped implements mu'-t
be considered as being fairly arlapted for cutting. The Pai-Utes of
Southern Utah, up to the present time employ as knives, blades
whi<
cant
In.
Cou
his
ther
occa
' Ucv. John MocklcnbiirK. or as he clas.-iiwvlly wruU? his name, .lohannos Megapol-
ensis, in tils Short Account of the Ma'juas Indiatm in \ew Xethcrland, written in 1044,
also malies no mention of spears as weapons of w.ir among the Indians of that locality.
He speaks of bows and arrows, stone axes and mallets.
-PIERS.
jpeciinen is
>n of which
fova Scotia,
rare in the
one a^'e of
lentions an
of hatfiened
ishionerl, is
tins in the
ime to my
'• I coji.sifler
Jrier notice
mplernents
snoininated
custom of
makes no
lie macs or
I good deal
.n(i arrows,
lufficiently .
' so-called
va Scotia,
linjT bows
they are
he Indian
t which it
'■ to class
?hout the
een much
onts mu'-t
li-Utesof
2s, blades
B< Mogapol-
ttcii in 1044,
tiat locality.
RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 36
made of chipped stone and identical in form with what are too
frequently termed spear or arrow-heads. These are inserted into
short wooden handles. According to Major J. W. Powell, these
knives are very eftective, especially in cutting leather. The natives
of Alaska still occasionally use knives formed in a siinilar manner,
which they carry in a rough wooden scabbard. A most signifi-
cant fact is mentioned by the late Dr. Gilpin*. An admirable
Indian hunter named Joe Glode, once shot a moose in Annapolis
Count}'. Not having a knife, he immediately took the flint from
his gun, and without more ado, bled and dressed the carcass
therewith. Lescarbot. in a sentence before quoted, mentions the
occasional use of a stone in fashioning arrow-shafts.
B. — PECKED, GROUND, AND POLISHED STONE.
Polished Stove Hatcheis or Celts, and Adzes. — These two
groups I have classed together, for although the tools I shall
here describe are usually termed celts or, more correctlj^ stone
hatchets, in most arcin\3ological books, yet after a careful exami-
nation of a gieat many specimens found in this province, 1 have
come to the conclusion that nearly all of those specimens, in
form or otherwise, bear evidence of having been used as adzes,
mostly hafted ti- wooden handles in the manner still or until
recently exemplitied in the stone implements of the South Sea
Islands and elsewhere. This was accomplished in the following
manner. A branch of sufKcient stoutiiess was obtained, together
with part of the stem from which it sprang. The stem portion
was thqn split, forming a flat surface, and the superfluous wood
having been trimujed therefrom, the flat poition was applied
to the face of the stone tool which was then lashed to it r)y
means of rawdiide thongs or possibly withes. Owing to the
tapering form of the stone head, every blow would tend to
tighten the hold of the binding. A piece of skin was perhaps
interposed between the handle and the stone, as the Indians
of Dakota have been known to do in fashioning their bone
hoes or adzes.*f There cannot be a doubt that most of the
* '• stone Age of Nova Scotia." TrnnH. X. S. Inst. Xat. Sc, vol. iii.
t See Ran, Archteoloyical Collection of U, S. National Museum, p. 95, flg. 334. etc.
in
37 RELICS OF THE STONE AOE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
specimens, hereafter to he deserihed, were so hafted and used as
adzes, their form making it very manifest. Some may have been
encircled a couple of times with the central portion of a withe,
the ends of which when bound tojiether would form an adze-
handle, but one not so convenient as that just described. Occa-
sionally they may have been held directly in the hand, and used
as an adze, but I do not think it is at all probable.
The evident adze-like form of so-called celts or polished
stone hatchets found in Nova Scotia, has been larfjely or entirely
overlooked by writers upon the subject; neither Dr. Gilpin nor
Dr. Patterson having paid sufficient attention to this most
interesting fact. To me it seems of much importance. Scarcely
a " celt " can be found which does not give rise to a suspicion
that it had been used as an adze. Further attention will be
drawn to this in the pages which follow. Our Indians, like some
oriental peoples, seem to have preferred a drawing cut or one
made toward the body. This is very evident and remaikable
in the present drawing-method in which the Micmacs use their
home-made steel knives, a method whicl; is entirely at variance
with the practice of those about them.* This of course is the
survival of a very ancient habit, and must not be lost sight of by
investigators.
In answer to an inquiry upon the subject. Dr. Bailey tells me
that in all New Brunswick celts there is a difference of curva-
ture on the two sides — one being tlatt.. • than the other ; but the
amount of difference varies a good deal, and in some cases is
hardly perceptible.
Mr. David Boyle, wiiose name is prominent in Canadian
archaeology, also writes me that about nine-tenths of the " celts "
found in Ontario are flat, or comparatively flat, on one side, which
is more or less indicative of their having been adzes. One thou-
sand stone axes or adzes, at least, are in the museum of the
Canadian Institute, of which Mr. Boyle is curator.
He furthermore mentions a significant fact which shows how
prevalent among the Eskimo is the adze method of hafting. " It
* It resembles a good deal the manner in which a blacksmith uses hie knife for
paring hoofs.
has
hatcl
out
thoni
of
theyl
trou
betti
-PIERS.
RELICS OF THE STOXE AGG IJ^ NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 38
nd used as
liave been
af a withe,
1 an a(]ze-
ed. Occa-
I, and used
r polished
or entirely
Oilpin nor
this most
Scarcely
suspicion
n will be
ike some
lit or one
niaikable
use their
' variance
'se is the
Lrht of by
7 tells me
jf curva-
; but the
f cases is
.^anarlian
'■ " celts "
fi, which
rie thon-
\ of the
has been recently observed," he writes, " that when European
hatchets have been given to these people, they invariably take
out the handle and attach another sidewise, by binding it with
thongs or sinews through and around the eye."
Murdoch also says that the Indians of the north-west coast
of America always re-haft as adzes any steel hatchets which
they obtain by trade. In some cases they even go to the great
trouble of cutting away parts of the implement in order to
better adapt it to the new method of use.*
Lieut. T. Dix Bolles itj his catalogue of Eskimo articles
collected along the north and north-west const of America, men-
tions no axes among the many thousands of objects noted.
There were, however, twenty adzes, eighty -seven ailze-blades,
and eleven adze-heads. Dr. Wilson, of the U. 8. National
Museum, says that tiie same coridition exists all down tlie
coast to Lower California, no stone tools — save in one instance —
having been found which undoubtedly lunl been used axe-vvise.-f*
Among certain tribes, I understand a grooved implement is
found which is used as an axe, but among the Eskimo it is
replaced by the grooved adze. The line between these two
implements is now being investigated, Doe>i the pvevalence of
the adze-for7)i in Nova Scotid hidicate in any way the injtiience
or' presence of the more northern race ?l There is evidence to
show that the latter people once inhabited the countr}' much to
the south of the region in which they now dwell, and the Micmacs
at one time waged war upon them, as described by Charlevoix.
To return once more to the form and use of the so-called
celts found in Nova Scotia, it may be said that the few speci-
* See .)ohn Murdoch ill A7;i'/i Jiinital livport U. H. liiircdii of Kthnology, \)\). 105-
ICt), and Hks. V'S-l'Zf).
t Seo Lieut. T. Dix Holies, " I'reliiiiiiiiiry fatiiloKUo of Kskiino Collci'tioii in U. S.
Nat. Miisctini,' in I{c))ort of Sat. Mii.t. for 18.S" ; also Dr. Thomas Wilson, ".Stotie
(.'utting Iniplcnicnts,"4th paper, in The ArchieoUHiint for .lune, IS'.lo. (vol. iii. p. 179.)
{ I would like to draw particular attention to the jiossihility of many of our pre-
historic remains being relics of tlu! occupation of tiie country l)y Kskimo, previous to
their having been driven northward by the Micmacs. 'riie latter belong to the Algon-
(piin family, and doubtless pressed to the north in accordance with the general direc-
tion of migration in the east. The signillcance ,>( the form of Nova Scotian stone
implements as bearing upon the (juest ion of the occupation of the land by a northern
race, has not, I think, before been noted by writers.
39 REMCS OF THE STONE AGK IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
=1
mens which are not distinctly more convex on one side than on
the other, possibly were inserted in chibs or used as hatchets.
With a wooden mallet they could be used without a haft as
wedi^es to split wood, wliich mijj;ht sometimes be neces^sary ; but
they could never be struck with a stone hammer ns some sug-
gest. The more common ndze-like form, liowever, was well
adapted for very many uses to which it mi^ht Ite put by savage
man, such, for instance, as clearing away the charred wood in
the process of forming various hollow vessels by the action of fire,
cleaning fresh skins of adlu'ring particles of Hesh, and numerous
otlier operations. Lescarbot mentions that the Armouchiciuois
(Indians inhabiting what is now called New Hampshire and
Massachusetts), Virginians, and other tribes to the south, made
wooden canoes by tin. aid of fire, the b-rnt part being scraped
away " with stones."
Thirty-eight of these so-called celts or adzes, ciiher complete
or fragmentary, are in the Faiibanks collection (Figs. 17-54), and
nearly all show some indications of the adze-form to whicli I
have drawn attention. This will be seen by reference to the
side views of the implements shown in the accompanying plates.
In size they varj' from 4o0 to about ll'T^ inche.s in length. All
taper more or less toward the butt or end farthest from the
edge. Tlie latter isneaily always much rounded, producing a
gouge-like cut, well suited to such uses as forming hollows in
wood, dressing skins, etc.
Two typical specimens may be selected in order to exemplify
differences in form. The first (B'ig. 17) which illustrates the
bronder form, measures nearly 7o() inches in length and o 25 in
widtii near the cutting edge, thence tapeiing to 210 in width
close to the butt, where it rounds off. The greatest thickness is
1"60 inch. The implement has been intentionally formed some-
what flatter on one side than on the other. This is quite notice-
able. The flattened side is more polished tlian the other,
probably from the friction of i haft.
About eight or nine .-^tcimens resemble tliis form pretty
closely, a few others less so (Figs. 17 to 130). One (Fig. 25) is
neail
ounj
greek
V — PIERS.
side than on
I as liatchets.
it a liaft as
!ces.sai-y ; but
ns some suo.
r, was well
ut l)y savafre
red wood in
xction of Hie
id numerous
nioiic-lii(|uois
iipshire and
south, made
dnij;- scraped
er con)plete
• 7-54), and
to wliich I
Mice to the
yini,^ plates.
^n<rth. All
t from the
roducino- a
hollows in
exemplify
trates the
nd :i 25 in
in width
uckness is
ned .some-
ite notice-
bhe other,
tn pretty
'iff. 25) is
RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 40
nearly 11 inches long by 3 25 in greatest breadth, and weighs 57
ounces. Another specimen (450 X 2 25 x 75 ins.) is formed of a
greenish-tinted stone, fine in texture, and capable of bearing an
excellent polish and a fine edge (Fig. 19). It differs in material
fioni all other specimens in the collection, but resembles in this
respect, as well as in shape, a small felsite implement from
Sumnierside, P. E. I., which is described in my paper on the
aboriginal remains in the Provincial Museum.
To illustrate the second or viore elongated form, I shall take
a fine, well-foi-med specimen (Fig. 81), the production of which
must have cost its maker nuich skilful labour. It was originally
about ir75 inches lonx;, but an inch of the end bearin<j the edge
has been bioken oft". At tlu; bioider extremity, it measures
2 inches in width, from which it. lapers gradually and gracefully
until it measures 120 in breadth at the butt. The thickest
portion — about 4 inches from the cutting edge previous to being
fractured — measures 125, frou) which it becomes rapidly thin
in ordei' to form a sharp edge, and very graduall}' thinner
toward the opposite end oi' butt. Its weight is about 2G
ounces. One side of the tool is almost perfectly flat, contrasting
greatly with the lounded form of the other side. In the
present specimen and some others which lesemble it in this
respect, the central line of elevation from end to end, on the
convex side, is very noticeable and adds not a little to the beauty
of the implement; others are more regidaily rounded and do
not exhibit this i-idije. A section at litiht antrles to the leniith
would be plano-convex in outline. Tiie specimens which most
nearly resemble this tj'fiical one. have the e<lge very much
rounded or nearly si niicirctdai', and so produce a deep cut like
that made by a gouge.
Some twenty specimens (Figs. 31-50) — eleven of them being
parts of broken implements — may he described as evidently of
this forn), and a few others resemble it more or less. They are
without the slightest doulit adzes, and aie more plainly adze-like
in shape than those of the first type. Both forms giade into
each other.
41 RELICS OF THE STONE A(1E IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS
RI
i:i
One incomplete specimen of the second type bears a lonj^i-
tudinal groove on the flat side, extending to within nearly 250
inches of tlie cutting edge (Fig. 4G). I have never before seen a
groove thus cut on a Nova Scotian implement of this kind.
It may have been intended to lodge the crooked portion of a
handle, thus gaining greater firmness, or possibly it once extended
80 as to form a gouge at the missing end, as remarkably
instanced in two gouges, referred to hereafter. The latter
explanation, however, does not seem probable. It may bo that
the tapered end or butt having been broken ofl', the groove was
formed in order to again haft the remaining part in the utanner
just suggested ; otherwise the re-hafted fragment would doubtless
have slipped in its lashings. A short transverse groove, however,
would have answered the purpose, and probably could have been
more easily made.
A well-l'ormed specimen (Fig. 47) of the second type, propor-
tionately broader than other im[)lements of the kind, has a boss^
near the middle of the convex side, which would help to retain
the lashing in place. At the point of the butt there is a slight
prominence for the same purpose. This is additional evidence
of the adze method of hafting. An implement of the first or
broader type, exhibits a similar knob on the same side, near the
butt (Fig. 22). A gouge (Fig (58) in the collection also has two
well-defined bosses, one near the butt and the other near the
middle. One or two other gouges have slightly raised transverse
ridges for the same purpose. This indicates that some form of
gouges, at least, were hafted like adzes.
A couple of implements resembling the second tj'pe, are
.somewhat rectangular in transverse .section (Figs. 49 and 50).
A thin celt, 6 inches long and "65 of an inch thick, .shown in
Fig. 51, was possibly used as a chisel. Two other specimens
(Figs. 53 and 54), measuring respectively 11 '25 and 12 inches,
are very rough. One, palaeolithic in appearance, is merely chipped
into form. The other (Fig. 53) is doubtless a natural form, and
would have been rejected from the present account wore it not
for indications that the larger end had been artificially brought
to an
period I
been
Amerij
tion lu
Enciuii
Paleolj
Collect
forms
n\)peai
A — PIERS
bears a lonrri-
in nearly 250
before seen a
of this kind.
portion of a
mceoxtemlefj
remarkably
Tlio latter
may be that
e groove was
1 the manner
II M doubtless
:)ve, iiowever,
lid have been.
type, propor-
1, has a boss
3lp to retain
■e is a slifjlit
tal evidence
the first or
e, near the
so has two
er near the
1 transverse
me form of
iype, are
9 and 50).
, shown in
specimens
12 inches,
ly chipped
form, and
r'oro it not
y brouohfc
RELICS OF THE STONE A(JE IN NOVA SCOTIA — I'lEltS. 42
to an edfje. These two implements may belonjij to an older
period than those of finer workmanship.* Attention lias recently
been drawn to supposed evidences of ii palioolitbic a^e in
America, and Prof. Thomas Wilson {)f the Smithsonian Institu-
tion has dealt with the subjeci in a paper entitled " Results of an
EtKiuirv as to t'le existence of Man in North America durin<r the
Paleolithic Period of the Stone Aj^e " {Report U. S. National
Museum, 18S7-H8) which lias been leferred to on a previous pa<i;e.
Collectors in Nova Scotia should search closely for the ruder
forms of implem ents, which from their apparently unwrou<,dit
njipearance may have hitherto escapt i' notice.
The collection contains an interestinj,' implement wliich
possibly is an adze (Fig. 55). Jt measures 10"50 inches in len<,'tli,
250 inches in breadth near the cuttinj^ ed<^e, and 215 at the
butt, and its <»reatest thickness is about ITO. It is elliptical in
section ; and does not appear to be noticeably more flat on one
side than on the other. The cutting edge is battered and very
dull, and the butt is somewhat shattered from a blow. What
makes it particularly remarkable, is a slight groove which encircles
it entirely, a little more than six inches from the cutting edge.
Just above the groove are two prominences or shoulders, one on
each lateral edge of tiie tool, and from thence to the butt the edge
is slightly hollowed; all of which would assist in the attachment
of a handle. I do not remember ever to have seen a similar
example from Nova Scotia. It foiius a link between the celt or
adze and the ordinary grooved axe.
Besides the celts or adzes in the collection just referred to,
some other undescribcd examples which have come to my notice
may be here described.
TheMcCulloch collection contains eiglit specimens(Figs.S4,85,
87-92), all presumably from this province. Two (Figs. 89 and 90)
are fragmentary, the rest entire. About five of them (respec-
tively 10'5(), 9 50, 7, G,and 475 inches in length) may be likened
to the first or broader type (Figs. 84-85, 87-88, 92). One of these
(475 X 225 inches), showing the transition to the grooved axe,
^ A few rude celts in the Pi'oviii<!ial Museum resemble the two described above.
4.'i HKI.ICS OF THE STONE A(JE IN NOVA SCOTIA — IMERS.
is sli^^'litly iiidcntcd on (lie two latHi-ul e(ly(>s midway in the
lon<,'th (Fi;n". !'2). This was for t\',^1 purpose of hoMin^r the hishiiig
which hound the haftadzewi,'- 't a^jree.s in s'v/.n niui shape with
a syenite' implement i»i the I'k ,oial Miiseum, a description of
which will l)e found in a previcus paper.* The adze-like form
is more or less noticealde in tlie specimens in the McCulloch
collection. It is ditlicult to decide t(^ wiiich type the two frnj;-
nients ludotif,'. The collection also contains an extremely small
and frail " celt" (Fig. !)1) — the most slijfjitly pi-oportioned one
which I have seen. It is n t quite 4 2') inches lonj,', an inch in
fjreatest hreadth, and ■;")() of an inch in "greatest tluckness.-f Its
form is very symmetrical. I'ossildy it was intended for the use
of a child, or else for some liner work than that for wddch the
lar;,'er tools were adapted. In the Faiiiianks collection, the
shortest complete specimen, wdiich is distinctly of the second
type, measures a little more than 5"2.') inches in length (Fig. 85).
An implement (Fig. <S0), eight inches in length, found near
Margarie, ('a|)e Bieton.has been shown to me by E. C. Fairbank.s,
Es(j., of Halifax. It is evidently an ad/e, and belongs to the
broader form.
From my examinations of Dr. Patterson's large collection in
the museum of Dalhousie College,* I Hml that nearly every
.so-called celt or axe therein, exhibits, more or le.s.s distinctly, one
side wdiich is intentionally more convex or rounde(l than the
otlier ; which, with other occasional indications, tends to raise
a suspicion that tlu-y had been used as adzes. An adze (No.
40) in that collectioTi, labellcil a "stone axe, Middle River Pt.,
Pictou Co." (length !)".50 inches, greatest breadth 205), still retains
the worn places, on the flatter side, made by contact with the
adze-handle. Indications of this are also to be found in other
instances. No. 53 in the same collection, labelled a "celt or
!
chi "1,
a di'p
which
edge
Indici
freipii
tlie in
woul
tool t(
* AlioriKinal Hcinaiiis of N. .s., I'rans. X. S. Inst. \at. Sr.. 1st series, vol. vii, p. 282.
♦ In my paiicr iiiciitioiied in tlie aliove note, the ineasnrcincnts of three "celts ' were
uiisiirintfil as nnirli slioi'ler tlum tliis. Tiie Hgures in lines 17, 18. and 22, page 280, of
that pajier, sliould respectively read l"!l(i. t, and V'M inches.
t .V full description of tliis excellent collection will be found in Dr. Patterson's
paper on " Tlie Stone Age of Nova Scotia," Trans. X. S. Inst. Xat. Sc, series I, vol. vii.
riA — PIERS.
nidway in the
l'\u<f the hisliing
ni)(i shape witli
I description of
adzi'-like form
the McCulloch
B the two frnix-
xtremoly small
•oportioned one
Dili,', an inch in
liickncss.-f- Its
lied for the use
for which the
collection, the
of the second
nn;H, (Fi^'. 85).
h, found near
il. C. Fairhanks,
lelongs to the
! collection in
nearly every
distinctly, one
led than the
mds to raise
An adze (No.
lie River Pt.,
), still retains
tact with the
)Und in other
d a " celt or
ics, \()1. vii, 1). 282.
Iircc "celts ' wcro
11(1 22, page 280, of
II I>r. Putfcrson'n
, series I, vol. vii.
HEI.ICS OF THE STONE AOK IV NOVA SroTlA — I'lEllS. 414
chi t'l," is nearly tiat on one side, while arouml the other side is
a depression or sliallow jjfroove wherein where Iodised the thon<,'s
which hound it to an adze-haft. In nearly every case the cnttin<;
ed;fe is more or less rounded ; veiy rarely is it nearly strai^dit.
Indications of the prevalence of the adze-foi'tn of tool, are veiy
fieipient, and in many cases they leave not a doiiht as to liow
the implement was used. In an a.\e or hatchet the flat side
would have little or no ad vantune, e.xcept that it would allow the
tool to lie closer to the wood in making; cuts in one direction.
CliineU. — There is no implement hefore me which I care so
to desii^Miate, althouj^'h one thin celt, before mentioned, might ho
so considered by some (Fii(. ') I ). It seems doubtful whether our
Indians ever used an implement in the mannei- in which we
handle a chisel. A hafted iin|tleinent for strikinif lilows would
ho far more useful to a savaj^o people.
(foufjan. — ])r. Ran, in his description of the archio )lo,ijical
collection of the V. S. National Museum, says that these imple-
ments occur in the United States far less fre(|uentl3' than the
cells, and that they ap|)ear to be chieHy confined to the Atlantic
States. The latter circumstance sug<i;ests that the work in
which they were employed, was principally necessary or pos-
sible in the country borderini^ the eastern coast. They may
have been used in makinf; canoes, but we would then expect to
find them abundant on the I'aciHc Coast, unless another imple-
ment was there ap[)lied to the purpose, which is fpiite likely.
Their employment by certain tribes mav account for their more
I 4, f *■
frequent occurrence in particular parts of the continent. Of
course it is not probable that all <,'oui;es were put to the same
use. Doubtless many of them, perhaps even all, were hafted
adzewise, and employed in fornun*,' hollows in wood which had
previously been charred by tire and so rendert'd capable of beini^
worked by such fninile tools. They would thus l)e useful in
makiiiff wooden canoes, or in fashionin<^ various utensils from
the same material. I cannot agree with those who consider that
some of these easily-destructible implements (those with the
groove from end to end) were euiployed in ta{)ping and gathering
4.') HKI.KS OF TIIK STOXK MiE IN NOVA SCOTIA— PI KKS.
)lt
ciJttinji; impRMiients, shows tliat they were not ot'ttii taxed
lieyoiul their stieii<,rth.
Seventeen •»out,'es are in the FaiihanUs collection (Fiji's. oO-
72). In lenj^'th the perfect specimens vaiy fioni o.oO to 1()..'){)
inches. With perhaps one or two exceptions, all taper more or
less toward the extremity furthest from the crescent-sluijit'd
e(l<fe. The one which most plainlv exhihits this tajiered foiin,
measures 2 inches in widtii neai- the latter edi^e, and thence
tapers ref,'ularly to a small founded end at tlie otiier extremity ;
its total length heini,' (j'oO inches (Fiji;. G*}). These implements
are often of noticeable symmetry, and probably were once well-
polished. J hey are foimed of stones of only moderete hardness.
The extent of the groove winch gives them their characteristic
form, varies much. Such variations, doubtless indicate diH'erent
uses to which the tool was to be put.
In some, the groove is almost oitirch/ huUtitivyiiislidhle and
contined to the vicinity of the cutting edge. They thus pass
gradually into the adze-foi-m, which this tool otherwise greatly
resembles. Three or toui- of the jroutres before me, are of this
unpronounced shape (Figs. r)(j-58, 00). They vary from 8o0 to a
little more than G inches in length.
Six specimens have the groove extending about half the
length (Figs. oO, Gl-Go)*. They vary from G to 10 50 inches in
'A spociiiK'H (KiK. '.VM in tlie MiCiillocli collect ion. Diillioiisic ('ollcKc (litters a little
from typical examples of tliis form, and sliglilly cxliibits llic iransiiion to that in which
thogi'()()\c extends Iliroughont.
the sap of the I'oek maple. Surely the axes or ad/es were well
adapted to making the lecptisite incision in the bark, and this
having been done, a ])iece of bij'ch-liaik, always availHl)le, was
without doulit empl()y(!d to conduct the fluid so it should fall |
into a receptacle beneath. Dr. (iiljiin also wns mistakin in I
supposing that gouges, etc., were used in making aiiow-heads.
We must never lose sight of the fact that the Indian had a fragile
mnteiial from which to form his tools, and he had therefore to
handle them with much caie. The fair, and frecpiently very
excellent state of preservation in which we lind the edge of most
length
I wl
ai\i
(«•
IL'.
Wide
am
I i)
groove
end of I
The '
ndze-
liad
OTIA— I'lKH.S.
r adzes were well
■le hnvU, hikI this
y.s availttMo, was
so it sliotiM full
vns iiiistakfii in
in;,' anow-lieadN.
liaji liiiil n t'rnuilo
lad tlit'ivforo to
frcfUK'iitly very
tlie c'do-i! of must
lot c)ft«'n taxed
ction (Fi<rs. o(J.
ri 5..')() to 1 ()..')()
I taper more or
cresceiit-sliapi'd
s taj)eit'd form,
^'e, and thence
^hei- exti-emity ;
ese imploment.s
ivero once well-
lerete liardne.sH.
ir characteristic
dicate ditlerent
^guishnUe and
liey thus pass
erwise u-reatjy
ne, are of this
from 8o0 to a
ho at half the
50 inches in
(
loge. (lifters a little
Jii to tlmt in which
llF.rjrs OF THK STONE A(iK IV N'OVA SCOTIA — PI K US. 40
len;,'tli. Another specimen of this kind is in my own collection,
and WHS found at Waverley, near Dartmouth, hy Mr. Skerry
(Fiif. 04). It. toijjether with three of the six just mentioned, are
wide and exhihit a very deep, broa<l ^noove. Another, i\arrow
and n inches loni;, is very interestinjjf (Fig. 04). Althoufjh the
(,'ro()ve is (piite evident and extends for half the len«,'th, yet the
end of the tool Ixiars no cuttiiiijf ed^'e, that portion Imino' Munt.
The other extremity, however, has been rul)ljed into a narrow
a'l/t'-like edj^e. The implement may bo a disabled ;U'oui;«> which
had been altered into an ad/,e ; the fjfoufje jjroove, having' buen
utilized as a convenient restini,' place for the T-shaped portion of
a ha7iille, which was then whi[)ped round with thon^js. Or
possibly the <i;roove may have bL-en intentionally made in order
to assist in maintaininif tlie position of the haft. Another
specimen ( Fii,'. 0.')) nuich resemlilt's the one just described, but
the ;,'oiii,'i>-edL'^e is less blinit. r>oth may have been hafted in the
ujiddle like a modern piek-axe, and so used both as a iJfou<,'e and
and as an ad/e ; but this is not probalde. As a sliek-stont! for
dressinjij skins, the combination of two foinis would not be with-
out advantage. The frayuKUit of an ad/.edike implement (Firj.
40) which has been refeired to in my descri[)tion of polished
stone hatchets and adzes, resembles the two tools I have just
noticed, inasmuch as although the edtje is undoubtedly adze-like
in shape, yet tiie upper portion of the frat,nnent bears a shallow
but (listinct groove. Among the specimens in the cabinet of the
Canadian Institute, Toronto, is an implement having a gouge at
one extremity and a chisel at the other. It was found in Simcoe
County, Ontario, and will be found figured in the report of the
Institute for 1891, page 38. • ■
An examination of at least three gouges (Figs. 01, 03, 94,) of
the second or half-grooved form , puts it beyond doubt that the.se
three were hafted like adzes, with the concavity facing the user.
My own specimen (Fig. 94) from Waverley shows plainly on the
convex side two ridges for retaining the lashing, and another
(Fig. 03), well proportioned, exhibits two prominent nodules for
the same purpose. One or two adze-like " celts " bear similar
:i^i'
47 RELICS OF THE STONE AOE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
nodules (Figs. 47 and 22). Probably many other rjouges were
thus hafted. Without doubt it was the most reasonable method
of handling these tools when deliverino; excavating blows.
We shall now pass to tliose gouges in which the groove extends
fhroughoiU the entire length. Five well-defined examples (Figs.
06-70) are in the Fairbanks collection, together with two (Figs.
71, 72) which aio rough and very poorly formed. The groove
varies in depth from about OH of an inch (Fig. 72) to more than
•50 of an inch (Fig. OG), and in width from a little over '7o to
nearly 1"50, Three of the five well-formed examples are frag-
mentary, having been transversely broken near the middle.
The adze-like manner of hatting would not be quite so well
adapted to this particu lar form.
Grooved Axes. — These implements are rarelj' found in Nova
Scotia. Dr. Patterson has succeeded in obtaining but one speci-
men (7'25 inches long by 325 wide) which was discovered at St.
Mary's, Guysborough County. Two examples are in the Provincial
Museum, Halifax, and have been previously described.* One of
them is double grooved. In this respect it is probably unique in
Nova Scotia. The second groove was very likely formed in
order to shift the haft and so improve the balance of a faulty
implement. These, together with the examples which I am
about to describe, are all which have come to m\' notice in Nova
Scotia. It is quite possil)le that they were only introduced
through trade with other tribes or as trophies of war. They are
also rare in Ontarjo as compared with Ohio, Kentucky, and some
neighbouring states. Dr. Bailey informs me that of six axes in
the museum of the University' of New Brunswick, Frederioton,
four are grooved, and he has seen others of the same kind in the
St. Joiin collection and elsewhere in that province.
Two well-tormed, perfect specimens (Figs. 73-74') each with
a single groove, are in the Fairbanks collection. They agree in
outline and general proportions, and their form may be consider-
ed typical. The larger one (Fig. 73) is 7"50 inches long and 4
inches in greatest width, and weighs 49.V ounces. The smaller
one IS
Trnns. X. S. liint. Xat. .S'c, vol. vii.. p. 282.
)TIA— PIERS.
RELICS OF THE STOXE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS, 48
her frouges were
asonable method
ng bJows.
e groove extends
examples (Firrs.
with two (Figs.
The groove
2) to more than
ittle over To to
mples are f rag-
em- the middle.
e quite so well
found in Nova
g but one speci-
liscovered at St.
n the Provincial
ribed.* One of
>bably unique in
kely formed in
nee of a faulty
's which I am
notice in Nova
nly introduced
wai'. They are
Licky, and some
' of six axes in
^, Fredericton,
me kind in the
•74) eacli with
They agi-ee in
ly be consider-
es long and 4
The smaller
one is G'75 inches in length and 37o in greatest breadth, and
weighs 40 ounces. Both appear to liave been formed from
oval quartzite boulders such as are found on beaches. From
near the groove, to the edge, they are neatly " pecked " into shape,
while the whole of the butt, above the groove, is smooth, being
evidently the original sui-face of the boulder. The aboriginal
worker in stone, was doubtless always ready to take advantage
of such material as natuie had already partially shaped, thus
lessening bis labour. The odjrt's do not show signs of rough
usage. The butt of the smaller one is intact, but that of the
larger bears the marks of many light blows which piobably were
the result of its use in cracking bones in order to extract
the marrow.
These axes could have been employed in detaching birch bark
and in girdling trees and so killing them pieparatory to felling
them bv the aid of fire, the axe being again used in order to
remove the charcoal as it formed. The tool would also constitute
a formidable weapon. Prehistoric man made his few implements
answer as many purposes as possible.
An axe very similar to those I have described, is figured by
Dr. Rau {Arclu ('logical (■ollev.tion of If. S. National Museum,
figure 72). It was found in Massachusetts. I have never seen
a Nova Scotian ixe with the groove only on three sides,
as shown bv that writer in figure 73 of his work.
Hamriiers, — A beautiful ha>nmer-head (Fig. Uo) is in my own
collection. It is formed from an egg-shaped boulder, very
slightly compressed on opposite sides. Its length is 3'.)0 inches,
greatest breadth 2,50 inches, and its weight a little more than 19
ounces. Midway from either end, it is entirely encircleti by a
" pecked " groove, which has not been smoothed by friction.
This gi-oove was formed in order to attach a handle. Its
roughened surface would tend to increase the hold of the haft and
its lashings, and the intei-position of a piece of hide, which was
quite f)rol)al)le, nught accoinit for the absence of any smooth
Nuifaces in the grooi^e. Each ^md shows distinctly the denting
marks of numerous blows, but there are no large fractures. This
49 UELTOS OF THE STONE AOE INT NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
condition of the ends and tlie formation of the groove, are
evidences of the hand of man, but tlie oval shape of the stone is
the work of natural agencies, perhaps slightly improved by the
skill of the aboriginal craftsman. The implement was pro-
bably used as a weapon in time of war, while in the peaceful
occupations of savage life, it was put to any uses to which it was
adapted.
Grooved stone hammers are very rare in Nova Scotia, in
truth I do not remember to have met with another. They are
also, I believe, rare in the neighbouring province of New
Brunswick. My specimen was found in July, 1894, while the
foundation was being dug for a manse, two or three rods to the
northward of St. James's Presbyterian Church at Dartmouth.
A great number of human skeletons have been unearthed at that
spot, but after careful incjuiry and personal search for anything
which might serve to identify those who are there buried, I have
only succeeded in obtaining this hammer and a linear-shaped
piece of iron, 9o() inches long, which 1 think must have been a
dagger-shaped implement, or possibly a spear-point. A second
iron relic of the same kind was discovered, but I did not see it.
The bones were from one foot to two and a half or three feet
below the surface of the ground. In one instance I succeeded
in finding the remains of a nailed wooden box or rouirh coffin.
It was almost entirely disintegrated and chiefly appeared as a
dark-coloured line in the soil. The grooved-hammer was found
close to one of the skulls. After a good deal of investigation, I
have come to the opinion that there is no evidence whatever to
to .show that this was an Indian cemetery, except the presence of
the above-mentioned relics. Those v/ho are buried there, are
doubtless white men. Tlie theoiy that they were the victims of
the massacre at Dartmouth in 17ol, cannot be maintained.
Various reasons make me strongly of the belief that this spot
bears the bones of many of tlie Due d'Anville's plague-stricken
followers, others of wliotn were interred near the shores of Bedfoid
Basin. For further information on this point, the reader may
refer to a footnote on page of Mrs. Lawson's History of
Darti
Fren(
buria
weap
savai
.1
-i-^
DTI A — PIERS.
the groove, are
>R of the stone is
improved by the
>inent was pro-
in the peaceful
to which it was
^ova Scotia, in
)ther. Ti)ev are
'ovince of New
1894, while the
hree rods to the
at Dartmouth,
nearthed at that
cli for anythinrr
•e buried, I have
a linear-shaped
1st have been a
j"t. A second
did not sec i(.
If or three feet
ce I succeeded
or rough coffin,
appeared as a
nier was found
investigation, I
e whatever to
the presence of
■ied there, are
the victims of
»e maintained,
'liat this spot
iague-stricken
res of Bedford
e reader may
's History of
RELICS OF THE STONE AOE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS. 50
Dartmouth. It is known that the Micmacs assembled about the
French camp, and the presence of an Indian implement in the
burial-ground of their allies is not to be wondered at. The
weapon u)ay even have been placed in one of the coffins as a
savage mark of respect for the alien dead.
Pendants and Sinkers. — Two well-formed specimens of this
class — one perfect, the other nearly so — are in the Fairbanks
collection (Figs. 75-70). They are both somewhat pear-shaped
and much resemble plummets. The lower extremity is pointed,
and the upper end expands into a knob to facilitate suspen-
sion. They tlius resemble figure 106 in Dr. Rau's tlescription
of the archreological collection of the U. S. National Museum
The larger one (Fig. 70) is formed of daik led sandstone, and
measures four inches in length. Thegreatest diameter is toward
the lower end. 'J'he other is made of a dark hard stone. Its
length is three inches, and the largest part is situated about
midway between the ends. It is not so elongated as the other
example. The two sides, including the knob, are somewhat com-
pressed, thus making the diameter 140 inr' in one direction
and 1'70 in the other.
A third " sinker " (Fig. 80) has been kindly lent me by W. C.
Silver, Est]., of Halifax. It was found in the bed of the Salmon
Rivei', adjoining that gentleman's property at Preston, about
seven miles to the east of Halifax. He informs me that the place
where it was discovered was an old spawning ground. The
specimen is a very beautiful and peifect one, fashioned with
great pains from a i-eddi.sh stone, like sandstone, containing small
particles of mica. Its length is .325 inches, and its greatest
iliameter (I'^O inch) is near the upper end or point of suspension.
The groove just below the knob at the ti)p, is distinctly
smoothened by a thony bv means of which it must have once
been suspended. The discovery of the stone in a river, tends to
strengthen the view tliat it had in some way been employed in
connection with fishing. Whatever may have been its use, it
shows what skilful work our Indians bestowed upon the manu-
facture of some of their implements.
51 RELICS OF THK STONE AOE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS,
These so-called " plummets " or " sinkers " are very rare
in Nova Scotia, Dr. Gilpin Hgures one in his paper on the
stone age. There are but two in the Patterson collection : one,
3"7o inches long, well-shaped, with a pointed lower end, being
from Annapolis County ; ths other, two inches long, quite light
in weight, with a rounded end, from Lunenburg County. There
are none in the collection in the Provincial Museum. Dr. Bailey
in his " Relics of the Stone Age in New Brunswick," figures
four or five which had been found in that province.
It is worthy of remark that the sides of such specimens as I
have examined, exhibit more or less a tendency toward com-
pression, as has been already noted of one example. This slightly
flattened form was probably intentional. ]^r. Patterson's
Annapolis " sinker " has been ground down in one or two places
on the side, but I have not found any others in this condition.
I may say that although all specimens are carefully fashioned,
and of the same general appearance, yet they differ much among
themselves in detail of form. In no case have I noted any with
a hole for suspension, although such would have been a more
secure method of hanging tliem had they been used as weights
for fishinjj-lines.
These pear-shaped objects have long perplexed archaeologists
who have attempted to define their use. We find them variously
denominated sling-shots, sinkers for fishing-tackle, stones used in
playing some game, personal ornaments, sacred implements for
performing some religious ceremonies, plummets, spinning-
weights, etc.
In a paper entitled " Charm Stones; Notes on the so-called
'Plummets' or 'Sinkers,'" Dr. Lorenzo C. Vates has presented
the very interesting results of his investigation into tiie uses of
such implements. For reasons given in the paper, he discards
all the stated theories (,n the subject, except that relating o
their employment in sorcery.
A Santa Barbara Indian, Califotnia, when asked by Mr.
H. W. Henshaw why one of these stones could not have been
used as a line sinker, replied with Jiiuch common sense, " Why
TIA — PIERS.
are very rare
s paper on the
collection : one,
•vver end, being
on«r, quite light
County. There
I'll. Dr. Bailey
iswick," figures
ce.
I specimens as I
y toward com-
■ This slightly
J)i'. Patterson's
le or two places
I this condition,
fully fashioned,
iv much amon<r
noted any with
■ ^een a more
ised as weicjhts
1 archaeologists
them variously
stones used in
nplonients for
tits, spinniniT-
1 the so-called
has presented
to tile uses of
'r, he discards
it relating o
ked by Mr.
3t have been
sense, " Why
KELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
OS
should we make stones like that when the beach supplies sinkers
in abundance ? Our sinkers were beach stones, and when we
lost one we picked up another."
A very old Indian chief, of the Napa tribe of California., told
Dr, Yates that the plummet-shaped objects were charm-stones,
which were suspended over the water where the Indians
intended to tisli. A stick fixeil in the bank, he said bore a cord
which sustained the bewitched stone In a similar manner they
were employed in order to obtain good luck while hunting.
Napa Indians also state that they were sometimes laid upon
rocks or peaks, from whence it w^s supposed they travelled
through the water during the ni<'htand drove the fish to favourite
spots for catching them, or in other cases, drove the game of the
woods to the most advantageous hunting grounds.
Other Indians of California say they were medicinal stones,
and describe the method in which they were used by sorcerers
for curing the sick, bringing rain, extinguisliing fires, calling fish
up the streams, and for performing ceremonies preparator}"- to
war. A perforated stone was said to make its wearer impervious
to arrows.
The above statements inay help us to form our own opinion
as to the use of these very curious stones in Nova Scotia. Many
still hold to the belief that they were sinkers, but most of the
evidence seems to be against that theory.
Pipes. — Smoking utensils are somewhat rare in Nova Scotian
archioologicdl collections. Oidy three complete examples, and
one in course of construction, are among Dr. Patterson's specimens
in the museum of Dalhousie College. Four aie in the cases of
the Provincial Museum, Halifax, and will be found described in
a previous paper by the writer. One of these is probably of
European manufacture. Dr. Bailey mentions but a single
sfiecimen in his article on the stone-age in New Brunswick.
The Fairbanks collection, as now before me, contains no example.
Hon. W. J. Almon, M. D., of Halifax, possesses a large, well-
Formed pipe (Fig. 90), which is without doubt the most
t- ;;
53 RETJCS OF THE STONE AOE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
remarkable one yet fDuml in the Maritime Provinces. The
circumstances oi its discovery are as follows. In 1870, an
upturned copper kettle was unearthed by Mr. John J. Withrow*
in a piece of woodland to the westward of Uj)per Rawdon and
within ten rods of the line of an old French trail or road from
Shubenficadie to Newport, Hants County. The kettle was about
eighteen inches or two feet under the surface. Beneath it, when
lifted, were found the stone pipe just mentioned, two iron
tomahawks, five or six iron implements about eight or nine
inches long, very much rusted, and having a slight prominence
near the middle of their lenirth, also about seven ilozen oval V)lue
beads ornamented with lines, etc., each bead nearly the size of
a sparrow's egg, and lasth' a tooth which seems to have been
the curved incisor of a lieaver. There were no human bones or
other indications of a burial. The five or six iron implemeiits
Mr. Withrow thinks were knives, but they were so corroded as
to make identification veiy difficult or impossible. The kettle
was fifteen inches or so in diameter and about nine inches in
depth, and it had a handle for suspension, (/lose to where the
kettle was found, was a hendock, two feet in diameter. With
the exception of a few of the beads, which Mr. Withrow retained^
the relics subsequently belonged to J. W. Ouseley, Esq., barrister
of Windsor. Half of the beads were j^iven bv this gentleman to
the late Judge Wilkins, the remainder are still in his possession.
Dr. Almon obtained the pipe f'*om Mr. Ouseley.
The bowl and stem of this .splendid example of aboriginal
skill, are formed of one piece , thus somewhat resembling a
clumsy modern clay pipe. The intervening portion forms a
curve. The most noticeable feature of the article is a bold repre-
sentation of what is undou'otedly a lizard, placed with its
ventral surface on that side of the bowl which is farthest from
the smoker. The fore and hind legs clasp the bowl, while the
long tail lies upon the lower surface of the stem. The broad
head extends upward beyond the rim of the bowl. Two dots at
the exti'emity of the somewhat pointed snout, represent the
nostl
to t|
sentl
of til
lengl
l()n<,,
rest "
feetl
The I
lust
A 1.
the
is di
the
do>l
(hes
the
deco
* Now of South Uiiiacke Mines, Hants County, N. S.
\lx^
I
COTIA— PIERS.
RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA — IMERS. 54
Provinces. The
^■f. In 1870, an
■ohn J. Withrow*
per Rawrlon and
rail or road from
' kettle was al)oufc
Beneath it, when
tioned, two iron
It ei<,dit or nine
ifj^ht prominence
1 dozen oval blue
iarly the size of
IS to have been
human bones or
ron implements
e so corroded as
le. The kettle
nine inches in
)se to where the
liameter. With
i throw retained,
J, Esq., barrister
lis gentleman to
1 his possession.
3 of aboriofinal
t resembling a
irtion forms a
is a bold i-epre-
aced with its
< farthest from
owl, while the
n. The broad
Two dots at
represent the
nostrils of the ajiimal. The mouth is closed, and readies around
to the side of the head, beneath the eyes. The latter are repre-
sentotl by large, well-(letined, circular cavities. Across the back
of the neck appear a row of nve elliptical cavities, their greatest
length being in the direction of the length of the body. The
l(tng fore-legs are bent upwards at right angles, and the toes
rest on the sides of the bowl's rim. Incised lines divide the fore-
feet into rather long toes, seven of which are on the right foot.
The hind legs are shorter, slightly broader, and are graduall}'
lost in tlie contour of the bov\l, without any indication of toes.
A longitudinal line e.xtends from the thigh to the vicinity of
tlie hind foot. A round hole, about "Bo of an inch in diameter,
is drilled from side to side of the bowl, at the ventral surface of
the lizard and just anteiior to the hind-legs. This hole was
doubtless for fastening the pipe, by a thong, to the sii iker's
dress, in order to prevent its being lost or broken ; or else for
the attachment of an ornament. The rim of the bowl is
decorated on top by groups of from four to seven incised radiat-
ing lines. The cavity for the leception of the narcotic is nearly
circular, and is an inch in diameter. It gradually tapers down-
ward for about an inch and a half, where it is somewhat suddenly
constricted to nea-ly tlie size of a lead pencil, after which it
extends nearly an inch further downward until it meets the
perforation of the stem at a little more than a riirht antrle. The
total depth of the cavity, therefore, would be'nearly two and a
half inches. One side of the cavity is continuous with the
throat of the lizard.
The length of the stem from the extremity to the edge of the
bowl nearest the smoker, is about five inches. Its diameter at
the moutii piece is --iO of an inch ; and at the further portion,
near the bowl, a trifle more than an inch. The diameter of tlie per-
foration at the mouth-end is 28 of an inch. The bowl rises ISO
inch above the stem. The thickness of the bowl at the thinnest
pait, is about "17 of an inch. Taken generally, the whole pipe
may be said to be about seven inches long, but from the mouth-
piece to the tips of the figure's snout, it measures 7"G0 inches.
65 RELICS OF THE STONE AfJE IN NOVA SCOTIA — PIERS.
ft
The entire .specimen is in a very excellent state of preserva-
tion, anil witliout a Haw. It is fortnetl of a fine gray stone,
di^erent from any found in the province, and closely resemhling
tiie material of the remarkable stone tubes in the Provincial
Museum {Vide " Ahori<final Remains of Nova Scotia ;" Tni.va.
JV. S. I. N. »S., vol. vii.) Jt bears a fine polish. 1 did not
observe any tooth-nuirUs upon the st(Mn, as would probably have
been the case had it always Ijeeii placed in the mouth without
some protective material. A short tube of wood may have
origimiliy setved as a mouth -piece.
It is a uni(]ue specimen in this part of the Dominion. I
consider it almost beyond question that it is not the work of
Micmacs, but j)robal)ly came into Nova Scotia as a trophy of
war or else b}' trade with some distant tribe. The stone tubes,
just mentioned, probably owe their presence here to the same
atfency. 'J'rade was not unconmion among the prehistoric tribes,
and Lescurbot mentions that our Micmacs, or Souricpiois as lie
called them, greatly esteemed the mdtdcli i a >i, or stiings of shell
beads, which came unto them frojn the Armouchi(|Ui)is country, or
the land of the New England Indians, and they bought tliem
" ver}' dear." Tobacco itself must have been obtained by trading
with nations by whom it was cultivated.
Strange to sa}', in Dr. Rau's account of the collection of the
U. S. National Museum (cut 11)2) is figured a pipe about four
and a half inches long, which liears an e.xtremeh' close resem-
blance to the Nova Scotian specimen, both in the attitude of the
animal upon it and in general shape. Apparently, however, it
is much less boldly carved. It was found in Pennsylvania, and
is described by Dv. Ran as a very beautiful, highly polished
steatite pipe, carved in imitation of a lizard, the straight neck or
stem forming the anitnal's tail, and its toes being indicated by
incised lines. The siuiilaiity between the two specimens is
therefore remarkably pronounced.
Mr. David Boyle, in the report of the Canadian Institute
(session 1891, page 29), figures a similar pipe found in a grave in
the I
of it
The
half-
rei)ri
M
Ivsh
s))t'cii
on A — PIERS.
RELICS OF THE STONE AOK IS NOVA SCOTI.V— IMERS. 5G
state of preserva^
fine (rniy stone,
'sely resoiublinrr
n the Provincial
I Scotia ;" Tfav8.
'i^''- i <li'i not
prohaWly luive
i^ u) on til without
wood may liavo
10 Doniijiion. I
lot tlu! Work of"
. ns a tropliy of
TIio stone tubes,
ere to the saiuo
•reliistoric tribes,
"^oiiriqiiois as he
• strinirs of shell
<Juois country, or
ey bouf,'ht theni
nined by tradintr
collection of the
fiipe about four
'ly close reseni-
! attitude of the
itly, however, it
'insylvania, and
lii.i^hly polished
straight neck or
J? indicated by
specimens is
Kiian Institute
d in a grave in
tlie Lake Baptisto burying-giound, Ontario. Mr. Boyle speaks
of it ns exciM'dingly rare. It is made of a soft "white-stone."
The animal whose foini extends above the bowl and more than
Imlf-way along the stein, ho considers was probably intended to
represi'iit a li/aid.
Mr. Boyle also figures anothci' jiipe (Report Canadian
[vsfUute, session LS8(i-7, page 29,) which may be likened to our
specimen, although the resemblance, owing to the diflerent posi-
tion (>f the figure and the absence of a distinct l)ovv] and stem, is
not nearly so great as in tlu; two instances wo. have iust ^iven.
It was (liscovcrtMl at Milton, Halton ('oiuity, Ontario. The
material of which it is formed is a li ght-gray stone, very soft
and porous, containing miiiu'e specks, probalily micaceous, and
(|uite unlike anything in tin; geological formation of that pro-
vince. The cavities on the liody and long tail, resemble those
on the neck of the Nova Scotian specimen ; they are probabl}!-
intended to represent spots of colour such as the aboriginal artist
had .-,een on the animal he imitated. Several lizaids bear clearly-
defined sj>ots of bright coloui' ujion their bodies. Notwithstaiid-
inuf the length of the snout, Mr. Bovie thought that the
resemblance of the head to that of a njonkey was vei-y striking.
I am rather of the opinion that, like the figuies on otlier pipes
mentioned, the carving was intended to represent a lizanl.
Dr. Almon po.ssesses another stone pipe (Fig. fl8), which,
although most beautifully ornamented'and very symmetrical in
outline, is nevertheless of secondary interest, for the reason that
it is doubtless of comparatively niodern manufacture. It was
purchased from a Micniac on the Dartmouth ferry-steamer. In
general appearance it closely resembles one found at Dartmouth
in Jamiary, 1870, de.scribed by me in a paper on the aluirigitial
remains in the Provincial Museum (page 287), or another from
River Dennis, Cape Breton, which is figured in the plate
appended thereto. This form is considered by Dr. Patterson to
be the tj'pical one adopted by our Indians. The bowl, somewhat
barrel-shaped, rises from a base, laterally flattened. In the
57
UKLICS OF TIIK SIONF, A(iK IX NOVA SCOTIA- I'IKKS.
present .speciiiw.'n, tliis tlatteiieil Im.so or keel, when viowi'd »ii<l()-
wavH, is .s(juaro, not loltod, in outlitu', (iml litlow tlio centre it
contains a round hole for tlio suspension of an ornainont, or to
facilitate attaciinient to the owner's dress hy means of a thor.n;.
The howl and keel are most tastefully ornamented with sin«,de
and double stiaii,dit lines, dots, very short diai^omil dashes, and
conventional branches of foliage, all arraiu't'd in neat desi<>tis
which entitle tlu; carver to much credit for hi>- excellent work.
I have never seen a more comely Micmac pipe. Thi; style of
ornamentation much resembles that of a very <jraci!ful pipe of
fine ari,nllite which bflonjjfs to my father, ITenrv Piers, Esq.
This, for the sake of comparisnn, I hav(' illustiated in Fio'. !)7.
It ^"is made by a Maliseet Indian of New Ihunswick, and bears
the date Mar'jh .')tli, l!S.')!). 'I'he tij^ure on che fore part of the
bowl is excellently carveil, and represents a loiit,'-haireil Indian,
seated, with arms across his l)rea<t. The other decorations
manifest much taste on the pai't of their swarthy desii,nier.*
J)r. Almon's specimen, last referred to, is made of a blackish
stone, probably a close ^'raineil arj,nllite. 'J'he total leiiLjth is
nearh' 2"')0 inches ; and the heij^dit of bowl. 1 ^O. It is in a fine
state of preservation, and everythinj^ seems to indicate that it
was formed with modern metal tool.s. Possibly it is not a centiny
old.
Dr. Almon's lizard pi[)e and the; tlat-based specimen from
Musquodobcjit in the Provincial Museum, ai-e the most interestinj,'
examples of this class 1 have yet seen in our province. Neither,
however, are to be considereil as typically Micmac.
Incertiv Kedis. — Three specimens, which cannot be treated
under any of the precedin*.;' heads, yet remain to be ile.scribed. A
* Till' liiilf-tdiH- i>li'ttMl(U"< not show with stitlicicnr (listiiictiicss tlio dcsi^fiis on tiio
liilius rc'presLMitt'd in P'iys. !'" and !)S. il. Lcscarhot says thai " ouivSotiriiinois (.Micniaisl
and Arinoii<'hi<|Uois siivagc's liavc the industry both of paintinK and carving, and do
make iiicturesof beasts, Itirds. and men. as well in stone as in wood, as prettily as p)od
workmen in tlie-.e iiarts; and not withstanding? they ser\e not theinsehes with iliem in
adoration, hut only to please the sight, and the use of some pri\ale tools. a« in lohaeeo-
pi))es." (MooK II. cha]). v.]
I^-^
i
OTIA — PFKns.
KEMCS (•!• TIIK STONE A(1E IN NOVA HCOTIA I'IKUS. oH
sinj,Milar, rollcr-sliapiMl ohjcct, prcssuiiialily of ji'ioii^irml woik-
tiifui>4liip, wliicli I tiiiil ill tiie Mc(/iill()oh collection, is shovvri in
Fi<;. 70. The ends liave evidently been cut ott' wliih; tlu; stone
WHS rotatini,'. Another curious object (¥\i£. 7>i) is in the Fair-
banks coliectif^n. One face thereof is slightly h allowed, while
the other is coirespondin<,'ly convex. The widei- end has been
partially cnt away .'^o as to leave a short neck. I shall not
venture an opinion as to the use of these two relics. An oval
boulder ( i*'!^. 77), very rc^'ular in shape, is in the same collection.
Not the s!i},dite,st importance, however, can be attached to it, for
it is merely a natural forn» bearinu' '»o marks of man's work-
manship.
KXPLANATION OF PLATKS f. TO III.
Svnir: Fi</s. l-Z'l, !til-!)S, firo-snriif/is nitfiiral nize ; Figs. /7-.'W,
one-HCVcnth iidtunil size.
KiK. 1-11. AiTo-v-lieiidM. Kijif. 7!». IlDllor-Hluipod .-itone,
1:^-1U. .S|H!ar-li(MiilH or cutliiig iiiiple- Ml. Puiuliint or sinker.
iiiciitH. 81-83. Spear-heads or outtiiiK iinplo-
17-54. Adzes and celts. nients.
55. Grooverl axe or celt (?) 84-'J2. Adzes or celts.
56-72. (louKcs. S)3-»l. OouKOs.
73-74. Grooved axes. 05. Haninicr.
75-76. Pendants or sinkers. 96. Lizard pipe.
77. Oval stone. 97. Malisecl pipe.
78. Stone of unknown use. 96. Keeled pipe.
Tra:
d
15
iiiu.Ur
Trans. N. S. Inst. Sci., Vol. I\*.
FM.ATK I.
liiu.Urnting Mr. I'iers' I'apcr : " ();/ A\/i<s of tlw Sloiw ./;'(• /;/ Nova Scotiu
Trans. N. S. Inst. Sci., Vol. I\.
PlATK II.
Illustrating Mr. Tiers' Pa- ur : ''()>/ AWus of the Sto)u ./,;r /'/ Ninw Scotia.
Tkans. N. S. Inst, Si i., \(il. l.\.
I'lAlK III.
/
lllii^tijiin;^ Mr. I'iiT^' I'apcr: "('// A',I/,s of tlu- Sloiu- .It;; in Kova S,i>//\i.
^^Hz.