“Personally, I have no doubt that these stones were objects of utility designed for several practical services in the economy of the Californian aborigines. In the course of time, by a process of evolution readily suggesting itself, a few of them, like the arrow and the pestle, passed from the sphere of utility into that of veneration and ceremony. Any one knowing the Indian character intimately will appreciate the ease with which such a change could be wrought. I but lately witnessed an illustration parallel. I was in attendance upon a ceremonial gathering that continued through five days and nights. The native game called ‘hand-game’ or ‘guessing-game’ was played. Before the game began, I bargained with a young Indian for his set of game-bones, to be delivered at the close of the game. The bones had never been used. The play continued for two days, and the team represented by this Indian won everything the opposition could put up. The time of adjournment had not been reached, but wishing to close my bargain, I offered the man the sum agreed upon. This he refused, and with many and earnest words explained that the bones were ‘good medicine’ and ‘lucky’; that he had never done so well before. If he sold them he could never get such lucky ones again, etc. After much talk he proposed to let me have them for twice the sum agreed upon. I declined, though I really intended to take them. I imagined I would lose nothing by delay. In the meantime a company of Pah-Utes came in and joined the losers. A stake was raised and a new game started, the Pah-Utes using their own songs and changing them often for ‘luck.’ But after six hours they were wholly defeated, losing everything to the same set of bones. After a while I hunted up my Indian and reopened negotiations for the bones. After beating about the bush I offered him his price. To my chagrin he refused the sum and would not listen to any offer. I was given to understand that no Indian could sell such lucky bones. I then called other Indians to my aid, men who had refused me nothing I was willing to pay for, but they gravely repeated the saying that the bones were ‘lucky’ and ‘good medicine’; that they could never be replaced, and it was useless to talk about buying them. Now any one can see how a few more successes with these bones would place them in the sphere of veneration. Any one having them in his possession would be considered an invincible player. Ultimately they would pass from the sphere of utility into that of superstition and become ‘charms.’
Fig. 384. (S. 1–2.) Stone Rings. Collection of W. H. Thacker, Arlington, Washington.
“So with the perforated stones I am considering. Suppose they were used as net sinkers, or line sinkers, as there is reason to believe they were, and remarkable catches of fish with that net or line would make for the stones the reputation of being ‘lucky.’ Continued successes would transfer them to the realm of veneration—they would become ‘charms.’ They need no longer be fastened to net or line. It would be enough to hang them over the water or from the canoe. Suppose they were used to twist bow-strings; and some were no doubt so used. Unusual success with that bow would sooner or later change the twister into a ‘charm,’ and so on.
Fig. 385. (S. 1–3 to 2–3.) Collection of B. H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky.
“When a stone would be regarded as lucky, it would begin to receive at the hands of the owner the finishing and polishing touches which at last produced the rare specimen of elegant finish, sometimes, but not often, found.”
The stone rings and circular stones (not discoidals) in which the centres have been cut out and other curious forms, similar to those shown in Figs. 384 and 385, have never been sufficiently studied. There are a great many of these found in the United States, but not many in one locality. There are little ornamented stone rings found in the mounds of the Scioto Valley, Ohio. Also, from Tennessee graves. There are large, clumsy rings from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. There are rings which are apparently finger-rings, not only in stone but also in shell and copper. I regret that I have not sufficient space to consider these more in detail.
Fig. 386. (S. 1–1.) Andover collection. To the left is a broken problematical form made into an ornament, but it is to the two other specimens that I would direct attention. This circular form of ornament is rare. It is my theory that having made this type the native enlarged the hole until but a rim remained. Thus developed the finger-ring and the bracelet. Materials: sandstone and black slate. Localities: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.