In the _middle Aurignacian_ the flake industry reaches its perfection of form and technique; the edges of the flakes are shaped all around with the 'grooved retouch' resulting in symmetrical forms such as the oval, double-ended 'points,' the leaf-shaped 'points,' and the double scrapers; this, in fact, is the culmination of the 'Aurignacian retouch,' which afterward begins to decline. The retouch of the long flakes is fine and parallel, but as yet the flakes themselves are generally thick and heavy, so that their ends are, perforce, much broader than those of the Solutrean and Magdalenian fashion. One of the most distinctive forms of this middle Aurignacian industry is the 'keeled scraper' (_grattoir caréné_) with an abruptly grooved retouch (Fig. 150). [Illustration: FIG. 150. Implements suitable for the dressing of hides and for sculpture. The keeled scraper or planing tool--_grattoir caréné_--characteristic of the Aurignacian culture. After Breuil. About two-fifth actual size. 1, 2, 3. Short and broad types appearing in the middle Aurignacian. 4, 5. More elongated types of the advanced middle Aurignacian from Crô-Magnon, Dordogne. 6. Elongated type (_pic_) of the close of the middle Aurignacian. 7, 8. Small _grattoirs_ with handles, suitable for sculpture.] Still more significant in connection with the rapid artistic development of these people is the remarkable increase in the number and variety of graving-tools, including numerous curved gravers. Almost all the chief types of gravers (burins) have now been invented, and tools of bone have become extremely numerous and varied. To engraving and linear design have been added the art of sculpture and the primitive use of color (Breuil,(29) Schmidt(30)). In the Dordogne region this evolution of the middle Aurignacian is exemplified at Le Ruth, Le Roc de Combe-Capelle, and the principal layers of the Abri Audit as well as at the shelter of Laussel. It is well developed also at Le Trilobite, on the headwaters of the Seine. In the _late Aurignacian_ (Breuil,(31) Obermaier(32)) there is a notable departure from the Mousterian fashion of chipping the flakes; even the distinctive blunt 'Aurignacian retouch' is somewhat weakened; but at the same time the work on the elongated flakes becomes more facile and skilful. For delicate, artistic work there appear extremely small implements or 'microliths' of various shapes. _Art._ Microlithique, microlith. Burin, graver. Ciseau, chisel (of stone and bone). Gravette, etching tool. Pic, pick (triangular or quadrangular, for sculpture). _Ceremonial._ Bâton de commandement, ceremonial staff (first appearance). _New Industrial Implements._ Grattoir, planing tool [AP]long but not thick. Aiguille, needle (bone, first appearance).