In [figure 278] is shown a small knife of the pattern so common in specimens mounted in antlers, from the Swiss lake dwellings. In outline it resembles the arrowheads having straight edges and a convex base; but the side view shows the purpose for which it was made. Similar pieces are found throughout central Ohio, and along Ohio river from the Kanawha to the Miami.
Notes on beveled Flints.
In the beveled flints the side-chipping producing the bevel is always to the left, as may be seen in [figure 235]; only one exception to this has been found. It has been supposed that this is done to give a rotary motion to an arrow. Morgan[210] says that “arrowheads are occasionally found with a twist to make the arrow revolve in its flight;” and the same statement has often been made by others. It may be objected, however, that very few of these beveled specimens are small enough for arrowheads; and modern archers have shown that the shape does not affect the flight of the arrow.
Schoolcraft,[211] Powers,[212] Morgan,[213] and Cheever[214] say that the modern Indians sometimes have a spiral arrangement of the feathers on their arrow to produce a rotary motion or “rifling.” This rotary motion is supposed to keep the arrow in a straight course, as without it a deviation from the direct line would tend constantly to increase. But as showing that the rotary motion is not always desired, Dodge says that sometimes the blade, in regard to the string notch, is set so as to be perpendicular, to go in between the ribs of game; again, so as to be horizontal, to go in between the ribs of an enemy.[215]
The beveled flints were probably used for skinning game, as they are better fitted for this than for anything else, and would serve such purpose better than almost any other form of the smaller chipped flints. The bevel is such as would be necessary if the implement were held in the right hand and pulled toward the user.
There are a great many specimens in the collection, both in the ground or pecked and in the chipped implements, which can not be classified with any of the objects herein described; but they are to be considered as due rather to individual whims than as representative of a type.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Anahuac, p. 101.
[2] Ibid., p. 98.
[3] Dawson, Sir William; Fossil Men, p. 121.