“So with the perforated stones I am considering. Suppose they were used as net sinkers, or line sinkers, as there is reason to believe they were, and remarkable catches of fish with that net or line would make for the stones the reputation of being ‘lucky.’ Continued successes would transfer them to the realm of veneration—they would become ‘charms.’ They need no longer be fastened to net or line. It would be enough to hang them over the water or from the canoe. Suppose they were used to twist bow-strings; and some were no doubt so used. Unusual success with that bow would sooner or later change the twister into a ‘charm,’ and so on. [Illustration: FIG. 385. (S. 1–3 to 2–3.) Collection of B. H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky. ] “When a stone would be regarded as lucky, it would begin to receive at the hands of the owner the finishing and polishing touches which at last produced the rare specimen of elegant finish, sometimes, but not often, found.” The stone rings and circular stones (not discoidals) in which the centres have been cut out and other curious forms, similar to those shown in Figs. 384 and 385, have never been sufficiently studied. There are a great many of these found in the United States, but not many in one locality. There are little ornamented stone rings found in the mounds of the Scioto Valley, Ohio. Also, from Tennessee graves. There are large, clumsy rings from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. There are rings which are apparently finger-rings, not only in stone but also in shell and copper. I regret that I have not sufficient space to consider these more in detail. [Illustration: FIG. 386. (S. 1–1.) Andover collection. To the left is a broken problematical form made into an ornament, but it is to the two other specimens that I would direct attention. This circular form of ornament is rare. It is my theory that having made this type the native enlarged the hole until but a rim remained. Thus developed the finger-ring and the bracelet. Materials: sandstone and black slate. Localities: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. ] The rings may be divided into two classes: those for ornamentation and those for use in certain pursuits. Regarding the large rings found in California and Arizona, several theories have been advanced, chief among which are that they were weights for making more serviceable digging implements; that they were put on clubs and used as defensive weapons. Regarding the ornamental rings such as are shown in Fig. 385 from Kentucky, these were finger-rings. Sometimes large ones are worn as bracelets, but most bracelets were made of copper or shell. The rings with concave sides such as Fig. 384 were probably made use of in ceremonies concerning the nature of which we are ignorant. CHAPTER XXIV GROUND STONE—PROBLEMATICAL FORMS BICAVES, OR DISCOIDAL STONES, TUBES, ETC.