“Prehistoric objects of polished stone having somewhat the shape of a canoe, the use of which is unknown. Some have straight parallel sides and square ends; in others the sides converge to a blunt point. A vertical section cut lengthwise of either is approximately triangular, the long face is more or less hollow, and there is usually a perforation near each end; some have a groove on the outer or convex side, apparently to receive a cord passed through the holes. Sometimes there is a keel-like projection in which this groove is cut. It is surmised that they were employed as charms or talismans and carried about the person. They are found sparingly in most of the states east of the Mississippi River, as well as in Canada. Those in the Northern States are made principally of slate, in the South and West steatite is most common, but other varieties of stone were used. In form some of these objects approach the plummets and are perforated at one end for suspension; others approximate the cones and hemispheres. Analogous objects are found on the Pacific Coast, some of which are manifestly modeled after the native canoe, while others resemble the boat-stones of the East, although often perforated at one end for suspension.” [Illustration: FIG. 359. (S. 1–1.) Phillips Academy collection. This figure shows an engraved spool in the upper right-hand corner, an L-shaped object below, and a peculiar slate ornament in which an angular opening has been cut. Whether the spool-shaped object should be classed with plummets or in the problematical series, I do not know. ] Dr. Thomas Wilson had a theory that these boat-stones were made to ward off evil and that in the hollow of the boat-stone was tied a wooden effigy of a human being; that boat-stone and effigy were put away for a certain length of time, and thus the evil was avoided or the influence of the effigy rendered of no effect. [Illustration: FIG. 360. (S. 1–2.) Andover collection. An interesting spool-shaped object in the centre, a highly ornamental plummet at the left, all of sandstone; rare slate bead at the right. ] [Illustration: FIG. 361. (S. 1–1.) From the collection of A. Setterlun, The Dalles, Oregon. ] CONCLUSIONS AS TO GORGETS, WINGED OBJECTS, ETC. In the preceding pages I have had so much to say about supposed use of problematical forms, that there is little need for lengthy conclusions. Moreover, in general Conclusions in “The Stone Age,” I shall consider the meaning of these and other things in more detail. [Illustration: FIG. 362. (S. 1–3.) Four beautiful boat-stones from the collection of B. H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky. All are highly executed and polished, from various portions of Kentucky. Materials: Greenstone and banded slate. ]