Page:The Ancient Stone Implements (1897).djvu/197

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SMALL HAND CHISELS.
175

grubbing in the ground. Some rough instruments of this character are found in Ireland,[1] but are usually more clumsy in their proportions than the English specimens that I have figured. They are often of a sub-triangular section, and pointed at one or both ends, though rarely ground. I have, however, a tapering pointed tool of black chert, and belonging to the same class of implements, found in Lough Neagh.[2] It appears adapted for boring holes in leather or other soft substances.

A very remarkable implement belonging to the same group is shown in Fig. 109. It was found in the Fen country near Burwell, Cambridge, and was given me by the late Mr. J. W. Flower, F.G.S. At the broad end it is much like the instruments just described. A portion of both faces has been polished, the sides have been rounded by grinding, and though it has been chipped to an edge at the broad end, this also has been rendered blunt in the same manner, possibly with

Fig. 109.—Burwell. Fig. 110.—Near Bridlington.

the view of preventing it from cutting the ligaments by which it was attached to a handle. The narrow end is ground to a chisel edge, which is at right angles to that of the broad end. In form and character this chisel end is exactly like that of a narrow "cold chisel" of steel, in use by engineers. Whether it was used as a narrow adze or axe, or after the manner of a chisel, it is difficult to say.

Fig. 110 is still more chisel-like in character. It is of flint weathered white, but stained in places by iron-mould, from having been brought
  1. Wilde, "Cat. Mus. R.I.A.," p. 27.
  2. Archæologia, vol. xli. p. 402, pl. xviii. 7.