not grooved, and illustrate the various shapes that occur in varying numbers. A majority of the axes found in New Jersey are water-worn pebbles of sandstone, porphyry, granite, serpentine, etc., that have originally borne more or less resemblance to some one of the shapes then in use. Such cobble stones are usually grooved, on each side and beneath, and the stone worn smooth upon the upper edge (Fig. 10), which is a common shape; or the groove circles the stone (Fig. 11). In a number of specimens, the original surface of the stone has been ground or chipped away from the groove making it a more marked feature in the implement (Fig. 12). This specimen has had considerable work put upon it, as is seen by the general elegance of the outline. There is no indication of its having once been polished; and the edge, which is now mutilated, was probably never very sharp. As a

Fig. 15.

1-2 natural size (end view).

rule, these cobble stone axes are not polished except upon the edge; the axe (Fig. 10) and the beautiful specimen (Fig. 15) being exceptions. In size, axes of this description vary very much, the little specimen (Fig. 13) being but three inches in length by two in breadth, and is the smallest grooved example that we have. It is of sandstone, and a repetition in outline of the more accurately made specimen (Fig. 10). On the other hand, the uncouth axe (Fig. 14) is an example of the maximum size of this style. While this specimen, unquestionably, is an axe, it is of such rude workmanship, that we can scarcely imagine any man so primitive, as to be willing to make use of it. Its greatest length

We will not include perforated stone axes in our description. That they occur occasionally in New Jersey is probable from the fact of other perforated stones occur. ring, but we have never met with a specimen.

is eight inches; greatest width five inches. In thickness the stone varies little from two inches. The cutting edge has been broken off too much to determine if it was ever very sharp or not. The grooved axe (Fig. 15), found in Salem county, New Jersey, is the handsomest specimen we have ever met with. As will be seen in the drawing, it has a second slight groove or depression in front of the main one intended for the handle fastenings. The whole surface has been beautifully polished, the edge is still perfect, equidistant from each side, and describing a very nearly accurate

Fig. 16.

circle. Comparing such beautiful workmanship as this with the rude axe (Fig. 14) we can scarcely believe men of the same day and generation used them both.

We will now take up axes without grooves, and find at the outset that they are neither as numerous nor as varied in outline as the grooved, cobble stone specimens. Ungrooved axes, however, are more generally polished, have better defined edges, and usually the end opposite the cutting edge is more or less pointed. The specimen (Fig. 16) is typical of the great majority of smooth, ungrooved axes as found in New Jersey. They vary but little from this in shape or size, some few being but one half its length and the back tapered to a rather sharp point. The dimensions of this specimen are: greatest length, six inches; greatest width, scant three inches; thickness in centre, one inch and a half. Occasionally, an axe of this shape was chipped out, and the beautiful mass of many colored jasper (Fig. 17) is an illustration of this fact. Rough in outline as it unquestionably is, its intended use is unmistakable. As the chipped edge extends beyond the end, both above and below, it may be that it should have been classed as a hatchet. It forms a good connecting link between these two forms. Of small axes we have three fine specimens that present a good idea of the prevailing styles of small weapons. The axe (Fig. 18) is of por

1-2 natural size.

phyry, and has been very carefully chipped and ground from a water-worn pebble such as are now so very abundant in the bed and along the shores of the Delaware River, at and below Tren

Fig. 18.

Natural size.

ton, N. J. Prof. Nilsson (vide "Stone Age in Scandinavia") would call this specimen a wedge, undoubtedly, and such may have been its use. It certainly does not appear to us how a handle could have been attached to it; but its cutting edge, which has been sharp, has induced our calling it an axe. Its length is about two inches, and its breadth two

Fig. 19.

and one-quarter inches; its thickness at the commencement of the polished surfaces one and three-eighths inches. Another small axe, of rare shape, is that figured next (Fig. 19). It is of a fine grained porphyritic stone and has been polished over its whole surface. Its dimensions are nearly the same as the preceding, though it is not quite as wide as the former. The cutting edge was originally good. The back has a ridge running obliquely across it, from which the surfaces slope at angles of forty-five degrees. Had this been used as a wedge for splitting wood, certainly the back is not favorably fashioned for receiving a hard blow; and the ridge, which in that case would have been much battered, in this specimen is still in moderately good state of preservation. This double faced condition of the backs of axes is not unfrequent among the

Natural size.

Fig. 20.

grooved cobble stone specimens. A third specimen of diminutive axe is that given in Fig. 20. It is of a chocolate colored slate not commonly found in use among our antiquities. It has been very carefully polished and probably had a fine edge. Its size varies little from the preceding, and its general appearance rather indicates it as an ornament, "a victory stone or charm," rather than a weapon. They are not uncommon, and sometimes occur of a somewhat smaller size. Lastly, we figure (Fig. 21) a very rude axe or that and hatchet combined. As will be seen by the illustration, it presents many points of resemblance to both a hatchet proper and a spear head. That it is not the latter, however, is evident from the fact that the base, being the natural surface of the stone, is uncut, and sufficiently broad to enable the specimen to stand upon it on a level surface. The cutting edge being on both sides and running into an obtuse point, gives some points in common with a hatchet. It is, perhaps, even more than the jasper specimen (Fig. 17), a connecting link between axes and hatchets, and to these we will now direct our attention.

Natural size.

HATCHETS. What we here designate as hatchets, as distinguished from axes, are carefully cut jasper specimens, having no blunt edge with which to give or receive a hammer-like blow. They are usually smaller than axes and vary less in shape. Before going into details with reference to the jasper specimens, we will mention the crude hatchet (Fig. 9) and ask a comparison of it with the plate of a flint instrument given by Lubbock in Nilsson's Stone Age." (See foregoing foot-note.) We consider this a very ancient implement," and it is one of several that rolled out of the gravelly bluff that skirts the Delaware River near Trenton, N. J. Having no blunt edge, we call it a hatchet, and from it have in succeeding years been evolved, through accumulated skill, the more elaborate specimens. Prominently in this list stands the magnifi