Fig. 372. (S. about 1–6.) Wisconsin Archæological Society collection.
“He is convinced that further researches in the field and examination of the thousands of public and private collections of our country will show that these implements are of more frequent occurrence than we entertain any idea of at present. The very considerable amount of additional data which he has been able to collect in his own and adjoining states would indicate as much.
“Contrary to what has been supposed some broken and mutilated specimens have been found.
“Such specimens as have come to his notice and which he has been able to examine were generally so substantially fashioned and their blades so edged as to suggest their employment for a practical purpose, though possibly not for all or any of those which have been suggested.
Fig. 373. (S. 1–2.) Black stone spud ceremonial. From Kyle mound, near Columbus, Georgia. Collection of H. M. Whelpley, St. Louis, Missouri.
Fig. 374. (S. 2–3.) Collection of C. B. Moore. Ceremonial axe of stone. Mound C, Black Warrior River, Alabama. Plutonic rock.
“The presence of notches or incisions upon the blades and handles of some examples does not imply a relationship with objects of the so-called ‘ceremonial class,’ any more than do the flutings upon the polls and blades of a fairly numerous class of Wisconsin grooved stone axes, which, notwithstanding their often artistic ornamentation, are of equal value for service and present the same evidence of hard usage that other stone axes have received.
“Class B. See Fig. 372. Blade generally short, crescent-shaped or oval, convex or flat, reduced to a sharp cutting edge, shoulder when present also partially edged; handle generally of short or medium size, of nearly uniform width, circular, elliptical, less frequently square or somewhat rectangular in section.