of these sharp-rimmed flakes were used to
assist in this primitive process of tanning.

Illustration of Flint Flakes.--------

When the piece of flint itself was chipped into form, it was one whose
shape would indicate a spear-head or hatchet. We present illustrations
of each. Forms intermediate between these two are found. Some have such
a thick heavy base that it is believed they were used in the hand, and
had no handle or haft.

Others, with a cutting edge all round, may have been provided with a
handle. M. Mortillet, of France, who has had excellent opportunities of
studying this question very thoroughly, thinks that the hatchet was the
only type of implement they possessed, and that it was used for every
conceivable purpose--but that their weapon was a club, all traces of
which have, of course, long since vanished away.<38>

Illustrations of Spear Head Type and Hatchet Type.------

These few implements imply that their possessors were savages like the
native Australians. In this stage of culture, man lived by hunting, and
had not yet learned to till the ground, or to seek the materials out of
which his implements were made by mining. Re merely fashioned the stones
which happened to be within reach in the shallows of rivers as they were
wanted, throwing them away after they had been used. In this manner the
large numbers which have been met with in certain spots may be accounted
for. Man at this time appears before us as a nomad hunter, poorly
equipped for the struggle of life, without knowledge of metals, and
ignorant of the art of grinding his stone tools to a sharp edge.<39>
Of course we can not hope to learn much of their social condition other
than that just set forth.

DePerthes found some flints which show evidence of their human origin,
and yet it would be very difficult to say what was their use. He thinks
they may have a religious significance, and has set forth a great
variety of eloquent surmises respecting them. It only need be said that
such theorizing is worse than useless. That while it is very probable
these tribes had some system of belief, yet there is no good reason for
supposing these flints had any connection with it. It has been supposed,
from another series of wrought flints, that the men of this epoch were
possessed of some sentiments of art, as pieces have been found thought
to represent the forms of animals, men's faces, birds, and fishes; but
as very few have been able to detect