“Mr. Moore concludes his remarks as follows: ‘Mr. Thruston reports a number of these implements from various parts of Tennessee, and rightly, we think, classes them as ceremonial. We consider them of too infrequent occurrence to suggest their employment for any practical use. We have been able to learn of none showing breakage or signs of use and some are too small in size to render them useful as weapons. Moreover the tally-marks on certain specimens connect them with the ceremonial class.’ “In closing this chapter the author desires to present the following conclusions and remarks which, though at variance with much that has been written concerning the purpose of this class of implements, are, he believes, worthy of consideration:— [Illustration: FIG. 372. (S. about 1–6.) Wisconsin Archæological Society collection. ] “He is convinced that further researches in the field and examination of the thousands of public and private collections of our country will show that these implements are of more frequent occurrence than we entertain any idea of at present. The very considerable amount of additional data which he has been able to collect in his own and adjoining states would indicate as much. “Contrary to what has been supposed some broken and mutilated specimens have been found. “Such specimens as have come to his notice and which he has been able to examine were generally so substantially fashioned and their blades so edged as to suggest their employment for a practical purpose, though possibly not for all or any of those which have been suggested. [Illustration: FIG. 373. (S. 1–2.) Black stone spud ceremonial. From Kyle mound, near Columbus, Georgia. Collection of H. M. Whelpley, St. Louis, Missouri. ] [Illustration: FIG. 374. (S. 2–3.) Collection of C. B. Moore. Ceremonial axe of stone. Mound C, Black Warrior River, Alabama. Plutonic rock. ] “The presence of notches or incisions upon the blades and handles of some examples does not imply a relationship with objects of the so-called ‘ceremonial class,’ any more than do the flutings upon the polls and blades of a fairly numerous class of Wisconsin grooved stone axes, which, notwithstanding their often artistic ornamentation, are of equal value for service and present the same evidence of hard usage that other stone axes have received. “Class B. See Fig. 372. Blade generally short, crescent-shaped or oval, convex or flat, reduced to a sharp cutting edge, shoulder when present also partially edged; handle generally of short or medium size, of nearly uniform width, circular, elliptical, less frequently square or somewhat rectangular in section. “Diorite, diabase, and granite appear to have been most employed in the making of these implements. Specimens made of slate, sandstone, and other materials are known.