Fig. 52. Fig. 53.
Sharpening-Stones (1⁄2).
Sharpening-Stones or Whetstones.—Four or five whetstones were collected from various parts of the island, three of which are here engraved (Figs. 52, 53, and 54). They are made of a hard smooth claystone, one only being made of a fine-grained sandstone, and vary in length from 5 to 7 inches. Fig. 54 represents what is supposed to be a hone 61⁄4 inches long, and containing a smooth groove. It was found on the site of the crannog by Captain Gillon, long after the explorations had been brought to a close, and is now deposited in the National Museum (see page 126).
Fig. 54.—Hone (61⁄4 inches in length).
Besides these hones we noticed a large block of a coarse sandstone, having one side covered with deep ruts, supposed to be caused by the sharpening of pointed instruments.
Polished Celt.—Only one polished stone celt was found. It is a wedge-shaped instrument, 51⁄2 inches long, and 2 broad along its cutting edge, which bears the evidence of having been well used, and tapers gently towards the other end, which is round and blunt. It is made of a hard mottled greenstone (Fig. 55).
Circular Stone.—Fig. 56 represents a peculiar circular implement manufactured out of a bit of hard trap rock. It presents two flat surfaces, 3 inches in diameter, with a round periphery, and is 1-3/8 inch thick.
