Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-20
Tur,Ie-Back Celts and Their Use.

Who sits forever with an appraised
JOHN SAyARY.
TurtIe-Rack Celts and Their Use.
At the last meeting of the Anthropological
Society Prof Elmer r. Reynolds the secretary,
read an extended paper on new class Of abo-
rigtnal implements which has given rise to
much conjecture among Psychologists who have
attempted to read their history in the geological
structures with which they were associated
when first brought to light.
DR.. Charles Abbott, of Trenton, n. j., was the
first to point out their peculiar form and classify
them as a new and distinct type of celts. The
speaker stated that 1t was not his intention to
subscribe to or attempt to controvert Dr.. Alb
bolts theory respecting their pre-glacial origin:
but simply to offer his views with reference to
their use:after having made careful studyof the
feature wherein they differ and which character
ICES them from the ordinary group OF celtS COM
mon TO all cabinets. The origin OF their name is
not difficult TO conceive when consideration Is
given to their suggestive shape. Their average
length is about four inches, by two inches In
breadth, and from one to one and a-half inches
In thickness. Their under surfaces are per-
fectly flat, while the upper portion rises from
all points TO meet In central prominence bear
ing faint resemblance to that ..guileless am
phibian" which, having no dedicated place
amongst the stars, Will ever have a corner to
himself In the annals of archaeology.
Dr. Abbott claims to have found about sixty
members Of this family In the Trenton gravel
banks, along the Delaware river. They were
OF the q -, at various delt s. ranging from five
TO more than twenty feet below the surface
from which he advances the theory that they
are the
REMAINS OF A PRIMITIVE PEOPLE,
who occupied the eastern shore of this CONT
nent previous to the advent of the Indians
They dwelt in the river valleys along the coast,
but were finally driven southwark by the en-
croaching glaciers, which formed these gravel
beds from the accumulated wreck and debris
fyp1,
their way.
These implements have been found quite
sparingly In this lora}ity when we consider the
were associated. Not more than three or four
dozen have been cound between this city and
the Chesapeake bay. during the authors four
teen years OF exploration and research, and-aS
If confirming his views respecting their use
they have always been found along the banks OF
the river.
A sagacious selection seems to have been
made in all cases by employing only the hardest
material obtainable. Those mentioned in Alb
bolts Stone Age OF New Jersey" are made of
very compact Argillite, while the specimens eX-
hibited are formed OF metamorphoSed new red
sandstone, the original color having been
changed to bluiSh-gray by the heat and chemi-
cal agencies by which the transformation was
effected.
Attention was called to the ordinary type of
Clipped celts by way of illustrating the differ
ence between them and the turtle-backS. In
shape and general appearance the two appeared
to be nearly alike, yet close examination, with
reference to finish, shows them to be entirely
diSSimilar. The base or heGd OF the turtle-back
Is where we find the hldde.or cutting part OF the
common celt; while the head or posterior pro-
lection OF the ordinary type corresponds to the
Is perfectly fiat on the inferior surface the upper
rise being bevelled only; while the common va
r1ety Is evenly beyelled on both sides.
WITH REFERENCE TO THEIR USE
the Professor remarked that he thought it quite
probable they were hated, and used as an ordi-
nor ynfcr.a S.fT-n tyN
charred coal while engaged In burning out and
excavat1ng canoe. These Implements from
their peculiar shape, would answer this pur-
pose in a very effective manner-and probably
d1d-for both early and recent authorities have
established the fact that among our aborigines
this mode OF making canoes or dug outs" was
universally practiced. AS already indicated,
only minerals OF the utmost hardness could be
used In this form to remove and successfully re-
Sist the action Of the carbonized portions OF
wood. The Indians Of the North Pacific coast
with no other tools than celtS OF deerS' horn
and stone used In conjunction with fire. They
would attack cedar tree five feet In
siege OF weeks, having nothing but celts with
which to accomplish their tedious work. The
tree was then followed out in the mode already
Indicated, after which the exterior was slowly
burned. and scraped into shape with shells.
SOME OF THE ENORMOUS REDWOOD AND CEDAR
CANOES
OF the Haidah, ChenOOk and Cape Flattery
Indians, were more than a hundred feet in
ength, with four feet depth and eight beam;
they were capable of conveying twenty tons of
provisions at Oae cargo-Gt Sed-and when thus
laded required hundred men at the paddles
In the proceedings of the New Zealand institute
TOT ISIS, On page IS ct seq, is an article on the
"Maori Canoe" In this paper-which was read
before the Observation-Disclosures author. r. c.
Barstow, OF the Royal ANNIVERSARIES that he
has seen New zealand canoe in heavy sea-
way freighted with three-and-a-half tons of pOta-
toes. These canoes he relates bOl1nwal
OUT with fire, stone axes only being used to re-
move the charred portions of wood. When the
material was situated long distance from the
sea-shore. they were not finished entirely on
the spot for fear OF splitting during transit to
the water; "a Accidents did happen at times, not
as a set{ the eea Of the The w saf
Hill, in Whangaroa harbor, N. H.,
few years ago, he saw the two
Toned on the elevated plateau above the bay.
Whilst party OF some thirty slaves were en-
gagged in lowering it TO the foot OF the hill the
vine separated and the canoe rushed rapidly to
the bottom splitting from end to end. The
unfortunate slaves were Immediately Slaugh-
tered on the spot He also mentioned carved
war canoe one hundred and fourteen feet In
length, which was sold for fIO0 or 500 U. s.
currency. 1t was subsequently used for the
purpose OF landing Prince Alfred on the occa-
sion OF his fiTst visit to Auckland, and is now
deposited In the museum.
Having shown on good authority that ceits
and axes OF stone have been used In the con-
Vi CstuOt1S IN America ana AuStr AHA:
and further that the
PECULIAR CONFORMATION OF THEPoToMAC VALLEY
CELTS
admirably adapted them for such work, the
Professor next proceeded to express his views
with reference to the uni lateral projections
which characterize them from other types
That they were left there by design seems
unquestionably evident, as the finished
implements themselves testify. In using
one of them as an adze-as was practically
shown by HATED implement-two-thirds of its
strength centers in the bevelled side. Force Is
impaired by striking downward and with the
same effort, drawing the adZe or celt slightly In
ward toward the operator. The vibrations OF
the blows while extending over the whole sur
facewould converge principally at the posterior
middle, or junction OF the superior two-thirds
and fracture OF the point-which would ire
Quenty occur-w0uld naturally follow the wave
OF vibration and extend obllquely upward and
backward, In a ratio corresponding to the force
OF the blow.
The Indians would, from experience readily
understand this rule inaSInuch as IL governs to
great extent the whole system OF chipping and
taking by percussion. Recognizing the point In
this celt where an accident would be liable to
occur and wishing so far as possible to prevent
1t, they made the front portion perfectly smooth
as little strength was here required, and also be-
cause such surface was necessary In order to
permit the handle to embrace 1t firmly-and
then placed the principal support where the
maximum amount Of no, Htyalv