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134 the tablet, beginning at the top, forming a slip noose through the two top perforations, then following the direction of the abrasions with the tied end, we find the cord placed on the stone as in Figs. 3 and 4, which shows it better than any description could give. One slight abrasion above the third hole on Fig. 3 has not been covered by the cord; that place has been made no doubt by hanging up the tablet when not in use or by reversing the cord. This was evidently the way the string was placed on the stone originally, for in no other way could those abraded places in the tablet have been made.

The puzzle part of this tablet is to get the string off, with some one holding fast the knotted end, then to put it on again with the end still fast.

The puzzle is solved by following the cords with the loop over the top down through the two lower perforations with plenty of slack; after getting through the perforations slip the loop over and clear around the tablet, then the loop will be found separated from the two strands, then the cord can be drawn from the tablet quite easily. In putting the cord on again the process is reversed, and consequently more difficult.

Fig. 5 represents an ivory heart-shape puzzle from China. The reader will see that the cord is put on in the same way, and that the perforations bear the same relation to each other as they do in the former illustrations.

In offering the above to the scrutiny of those who have made these objects of stone almost their life study, I wish to say that I know I am invading their domain to assert that these tablets with four perforations are puzzles. But I think I have made out a good case in favor of this tablet of mine, and hope the subject may be investigated still further, and that others of the same form and number of perforations may be extant that will show the cord marks as perfectly as mine does, and thus corroborate my assertion that this tablet of stone is a puzzle.

To the many contributions in regard to the problematic uses of these tablets I offer the above mite, trusting that it will solve partly the problem that has puzzled so many.

 

There are no remains of aboriginal structures in this vicinity. The indications of a former occupation by the aborigines are scattered relies found in the soil. These relics are to be found anywhere, but are not remarkably abundant in any one locality. The most promising places for search are dry sand knolls, in the vicinity of some river, brook, or large spring.

The caving of the banks of the Connecticut River occasionally 