Pre-Colombian Jamaica: Caribbean Archeology and Ethnohistory

256 / Appendix D.
Fig. IX. [Listed also as Plate II]. Axe- blade, from Grenada.
liceous rock, and has taken a very high polish. Examples of this kind are much
prized by collectors.
The celt represented in Figure 8 is constructed of a reddish limestone, the
fossil corals and shells being distinctly seen. It is a perfect example, apparently
as if just turned out by the manufacturer, having some of the scratches produced
by the smoothing and polishing still visible. A similar, but thin, highly
polished, petaloid example, made of quartzite, is in Dr. G. J. Neish’s collection
from St. Thomas- ye- East. Its donor suggests its being a “hatchet of ceremony.”
Figure 7 is a unique specimen of the petaloid type, having a central, rounded
protuberance or boss, perhaps to afford greater security or firmness in using.
It is 9 1/2 inches long, and 3 7/8 inches at its greatest breadth. A not uncommon
type is the one represented by Figure 4. The body of the celt is almost cylindrical,
but it tapers at one end and is edged at the other. An almost similar
one is represented by the spindle- shaped form in Figure VII, p. 32, but a chisel
edge occurs at each end.
Figure 6 represents a chisel- shaped implement lent by the Hon. D. Campbell.
It is formed of some greenish rock, and is 8 inches long and 2 1/4 inches
broad at the cutting end, which latter is very smooth and sharp. Wedge- shaped
specimens are shown on the same plate, Figures 5 and 10. Among other individual
examples to be noted is one from Portland, presented by Mr. W. H.
Plant, made up of a greenish volcanic rock containing garnets.