The New England plummets are of varying lengths, and the body may be oval or almost globular. Occasionally, it is drawn to a point at the base, as is observed in the central one, Fig. 377. There are also, in this region, effigy-like plummets, and Fig. 414 shows one of these.
Fig. 381. (S. 1–3.) Plummet-shaped stones from various sites in Kentucky. Bennett H. Young’s collection, Louisville, Kentucky.
Fig. 380, Mr. William H. Foster’s collection, Andover, presents an interesting stone plummet, one third size, and also a flat, grooved slate object, in which distinct notches have been cut. Fig. 378, seven plummets of varying dimensions and form, from northeastern Ohio, and West Virginia, in the Andover collection. Fig. 382, a beautiful black granite plummet from Dr. Charles F. Noe’s collection. This represents the height of stone-age art in plummet-making. Fig. 383, ninety-five plummets from the collection of the late Mr. J. B. Lewis, Petaluma, California. Some of those hung on the lower row are perforated, some are grooved and also perforated. Those on the six upper rows are not only oval, but also slender, and yet
Fig. 382. (S. 1–1.) From Section 21, Monroe Township, Johnson County, Iowa. C. F. Noe’s collection, Amana, Iowa.
Regarding these numerous plummets and kindred shaped stones so common on the Pacific Coast, not a little has been written, as reference to the Bibliography will prove. Rev. H. C. Meredith[[43]] once wrote for me a page concerning these strange objects. As it is concise and to the point and as good as anything I have seen in print, I reproduce it here:
“The evidence seems to point to a variety of uses and not to one only. The view most commonly held now, I believe, is that these objects are ‘medicine-stones’ or ‘charms,’ supposed to bring good luck and success to their owners. Mr. J. G. Henderson, in an article published in the American Naturalist, in 1872, appears to be the first to suggest this use of the stones. Mr. H. W. Henshaw followed, in the American Journal of Archæology, with an elaboration of this theory. Others have followed with additional evidence in support of it. When a final conclusion is reached, however, I think it will be to the effect that while these stones were used as ‘charms,’ such use was not original and primary, but secondary, perhaps only occasional and incidental.
Fig. 383. (S. about 1–6.) California plummets and small mortars. J. B. Lewis collection, Petaluma, Cal.