. The mound builders : being an account of a remarkable people that once inhabited the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, together with an investigation into the archæology of Butler County, Fig. 18.—Gorgets or has been supposed that they were shuttles used inweaving; and, again, as badges of authority. There isno doubt but that this people were , andwhy may they not have been used as charms to keep offevil spirits, or as safeguards against some unforeseendanger? If they had been used for domestic purposesthe edges of the holes would have been considerablyworn; bu
. The mound builders : being an account of a remarkable people that once inhabited the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, together with an investigation into the archæology of Butler County, Fig. 18.—Gorgets or has been supposed that they were shuttles used inweaving; and, again, as badges of authority. There isno doubt but that this people were , andwhy may they not have been used as charms to keep offevil spirits, or as safeguards against some unforeseendanger? If they had been used for domestic purposesthe edges of the holes would have been considerablyworn; but, on the other hand, they are sharp andperfect. ■WORKS OF ART. 71 Various other forms are foundsingle and double blades, etc., such as crescents,which have beenregarded as wands or emblems of authority. They arecomposed of variegated slate, are not numerous, and -Gaugfs or Ornaments. Tubes.—A great variety of stone tubes are picked upon the surface and found in the mounds. They arepolished with care and composed of a fine grain stripedslate. The short oval ones were doubtless ornaments,strung like beads upon cords. Others may have been 72 WORKS OF ART. used as wliistles, or, as some writers have thought^ as atelescopic help for distant views. Hoes and Spades.—The largest implements made outof chert or quartzite are the hoes and spades. They areslightly oval on one side and flat on the other, generallytapering towards the ends, the smaller end beingattached to the handle. Some of them are finelyfinished. The size and shape seem to indicate that theywere used for agricultural purposes. Discoidal Implements.— Numerous discs of stone arefound scattered over the country from the valley of theOhio to Peru, South America. A few of them also occurin the mounds. They are circular in form, capsule-shaped, and pierced in the center with a hole, an
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