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136 which were detached, and of the core from which they were struck, is shown in Fig. 19, 3-5 and 9. Broader flakes were worked up by secondary flaking to form delicate arrow-heads and graceful spear-heads, while large slabs were polished to form mirrors, the surface being carefully finished by continuous rubbing with a handful of reeds. Masks were also made from this material, and details such as teeth and eyes were inlaid with shell and other substances. Stone axes (Fig. 20) were carefully ground by rubbing on a block of hardstone, probably with sand or emery and water, the surface in the more highly-polished specimens being finished with bamboo. The shapes show some variation, but the implement usually tapers slightly towards the butt, which is rounded off more or less abruptly; some specimens are long-oval in transverse section, while others are quadrangular. They were hafted by being simply thrust into a wooden handle, as shown in Fig. 4,f; p. 35. The finest specimens are made of some kind of jadeite, and are often beautifully polished, especially those from the Mixtec country. In the Tarascan country, and northward to La Quemada in Zacatecas, are found types closely akin to those of Arizona and California, viz. heavy axes, coarsely ground, with one or two grooves partially or entirely encircling the butt (Fig. 20, 4,7 and 8). These must have been attached to the haft by thongs, or a stout twig must have been bent round the implement and secured by a lashing below. Such forms as these are not found in the Mexican valley or further south, until Ecuador is reached, but are in reality characteristic of the northern portion of the continent. In the same area are found peculiar blades in animal form, as shown in Fig. 20, 5. Great masses of stone were handled with considerable facility, and it is only necessary to call attention to the objects shown in Pls. III and VI-VIII, as evidence of the skill of the

Mexico mason. The large coping-stone with a figure