for rheumatism. In the North of England, and in parts of Scotland, they are known as thunderbolts,[1] and, like flint arrow-heads, are supposed to have preservative virtues, especially against diseases of cattle. In Ireland the same superstition prevails, and I have myself known an instance where, on account of its healing powers, a stone celt was lent among neighbours to place in the troughs from which cattle drank.
In the British Museum is a thin highly polished celt of jadeite, reputed to be from Scotland, in form like Fig. 52, mounted in a silver frame, and with a hole bored through it at either end. It is said to have been attached to a belt and worn round the waist as a cure for renal affections, against which the material nephrite was a sovereign remedy.
In most parts of France,[2] and in the Channel Islands, the stone celt is known by no other name than "Coin de foudre," or "Pierre de tonnerre"; and Mr. F. C. Lukis[3] gives an instance of a flint celt having been found near the spot where a signal-staff had been struck by lightning, which was proved to have been the bolt by its peculiar smell when broken. M. Ed. Jacquard has written an interesting paper on "Céraunies ou pierres de tonnerre."[4]
In Brittany[5] a stone celt is frequently thrown into the well for purifying the water or securing a continued supply; and in Savoy it is not rare to find one of these instruments rolled up in the wool of the sheep, or the hair of the goat, for good luck, or for the prevention of the rot or putrid decay.
In Sweden[6] they are preserved as a protection against lightning, being regarded as the stone-bolts that have fallen during thunderstorms.
In Norway they are known as Tonderkiler, and in Denmark the old name for a celt was Torden-steen.[7] The test of their being really thunderbolts was to tie a thread round them, and place them on hot coals, when, if genuine, the thread was not burnt, but rather rendered moist. Such celts promote sleep.
In Germany[8] both celts and perforated stone axes are regarded
- ↑ Sibbald mentions two perforated cerauniæ found in Scotland. "Prod. Nat. Hist. Scot.," ii. lib. iv. p. 49. See also Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot., vol. xxiv, p. 379.
- ↑ Comptes Rendus, 1864, vol. lix. p. 713. Cochet, "Seine Inf.," p. 15. B. de Perthes, "Ant. Celt. et Antéd.," vol. i. p. 522, &c.
- ↑ F. C. Lukis, F.S.A., in Reliquary, viii. p. 208.
- ↑ Bull., Soc. de Borda, Dax, 1894, p. 159. See also De Nadaillac, "Les Premiers Hommes," vol. i. p. 12; Cartailhac, "La France préh.," p. 4.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Nilsson, "Stone Age," pp. 199-201.
- ↑ "Mus. Wormianum," p. 74.
- ↑ Preusker, "Blicke in die Vaterländische Vorzeit," vol. i. p. 170.
