Some of the dagger-blades in use in Mexico in ancient times were of |355| much the same character as these, being in some cases of flint, in others of obsidian. A beautiful blade of chalcedony, 8 inches long, found at Tezcuco, is in the Christy Collection, as well as another of chert; but the most remarkable is of chalcedony, still in its original wooden handle in form of a kneeling figure, encrusted with precious materials, including turquoise, malachite, and coral.[1608] An almost similar specimen was engraved by Aldrovandus.[1609] There are Japanese[1610] stone knives and daggers polished all over and with the blade and hilt in one piece. Some are as much as 15 inches long. [Illustration: Fig. 267A.—Sewerby. 1∕2] A peculiar form of knife, closely resembling in character some of the crescent-shaped blades from Scandinavia, is shown in Fig. 267A. It was found in the parish of Sewerby,[1611] near Bridlington, and somewhat resembles the blade from Balveny, subsequently mentioned. I have described it in some detail[1611] elsewhere. A similar form occurs in Arctic America.[1612] A wider form from New Jersey[1613] has been regarded as a scalping-knife. Another form of curved knife—for as such it would seem the instrument must be regarded—seems to be more abundant in Britain than in other European countries, unless possibly in Russia. A somewhat similar form is known in Denmark,[1614] of which a highly finished variety is engraved by Worsaae[1615] from an almost, if not quite, unique example. Examples of analogous knives from other countries will also be subsequently cited. As the form has not hitherto received much attention from antiquaries, I have engraved three specimens slightly differing in character, and found in different parts of England. |356| Fig. 268 represents a beautifully formed knife, with a curved blade tapering to a point, and found in draining at Fimber, Yorkshire. It is preserved in the collection of Messrs. Mortimer, of Driffield, who have kindly allowed me to engrave it. It is about 7 inches in length, formed of flint, which has now become ochreous in colour, and exhibits a portion of the natural crust at the butt-end. The blade is nearly equally convex on the two faces, but thickens out at the butt, which seems to have formed the handle, as the side edges which are elsewhere sharp are there slightly blunted. The faces present no signs of having been ground or polished. [Illustration: Fig. 268.—Fimber. 1∕2] [Illustration: Fig. 269.—Yarmouth. 1∕2] I have two or three fragments of similar knives also from the Yorkshire Wolds; and one almost perfect, but only 4 1∕2 inches long, from Ganton Wold. In the Greenwell Collection is a fragment of one from Wetwang, and the point of another from Rudstone. I have one (5 inches) perfect except at the butt, found at North Stow, Bury St. Edmunds.