The reduction of the harder hematites to symmetrical plummets and cones must have been a severe task for workmen possessed of no metallic tools. Truly the ancient artisan who had the patience to cut and grind gray hematite (the hardest of all) “worked at his task with a resolute will.” It must be remembered that there are not a few but hundreds of these hematite problematical forms worked from most refractory iron ore. CHAPTER XXXIV MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS After one has attempted to describe and illustrate most of the types of ancient artifacts occurring in America, one discovers that there are numerous objects which scarcely fall under any of the classifications. These I have placed under this chapter devoted to miscellaneous objects. At some future time I hope to consider these at greater length, for it will be quite possible to devote an entire chapter to the club and paddle-like implements of the Pacific Coast, another to the slate knives of New England, and additional ones to the arrow-shaft straighteners, or the cup-stones—all of which are illustrated in the ensuing pages. In Figs. 702, 703, and 703 _A_ are shown some of the curious stone club and paddle-like implements of the Pacific Coast. Reverend H. C. Meredith, a collector of some experience in California, called these “stone ceremonial swords,” and described those shown in Fig. 702 as follows:— “This figure shows two rare ceremonial knives. No. 2 is of fine sandstone, about sixteen inches long, with a broad blade that is reduced to a sharp edge. It was found on a village-site near Vacaville, and would make a formidable weapon. “No. 3 is a double-edged and beautiful specimen. The material is mottled green and white serpentine. It is finely polished, and not much less than eighteen inches long. It is in the collection of Mr. A. B. Carr, Etna Mills. Two specimens similar to this one, but not nearly so fine, are in the Jewett collection. All three specimens are from Siskiyou. Like the chipped ceremonials, these knives are of extreme age, if not prehistoric. Work of this class is not done by the Indians of to-day.” Whether the paddle-shaped implements in the two following figures are to be considered as “ceremonial swords,” I am not sufficiently familiar with California archæology to state. Fig. 703 presents three remarkable specimens from Oregon and Colorado; collection of E. D. Zimmerman, Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The purpose of these strange objects is unknown to me. They are wrought with considerable skill and evidently performed some function in ancient times. [Illustration: FIG. 702. (S. 2–7.) Stone ceremonial knives. California. Collection of A. B. Carr and H. C. Meredith. ] [Illustration: FIG. 703. (S. about 1–3.) Stone clubs, from Oregon and Washington. Collection of E. D. Zimmerman. ] [Illustration: