WCP1771

[1]

A R Wallace Esq

Sir

As to the uses I leave that to travellers like yourself.

However if No 2 as an Example of the dominant tool in my researches — counting by hundreds, I may state I call them "body stones" for this reason.

A great traveller who had crossed the Atlantic 19 times, been to Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, W. Coast of Africa, was one day inspecting my stones.

Taking up one he remarked, "This is a body stone".

"Pa[?] Prestwich ca names Double Scrapers may I ask why body stones?"

Because I have seen similar in use in Patagonia. The Savages use to rub the hard skin of the sole of the foot, to remove scarf skin from the body &c. & when there is a deficiency of suitable stone make such of baked clay".

Hence I adopted the name.

Other travellers, (one lady in particular who has been in S. America & had seen much as a girl) ^have corroborated.

As I went out specifically to find for you the Series sent not so much a types set as [2] found by Chance specimens. The <Centre> is what Tyler¹ would call a pole scraper. Others draw shapes spoke shavers. [1 word illeg.]² calls. Sapling Scrapers. Preswich³, hollow Scrapers & so on.

I stick to the term <drawshard?>, this is a very primitive tool & used by the women in removing the bark from hop poles.²

A bit of a broken scythe with rag to bound round to protect the hand is often used. & the fragment becomes a drawshave in the same way. Another part of the old scythe may be seen as a scraper at a Cottages door & becomes a dirt scraper inserted in two small posts. Perhaps you have seen such.³

Sir John Evans⁶ after confessing that some were chipped threw cold water on [3] the same by saying "Has the absolute uselessness of such ^flints as tools never struck you, nor the fact that if the edge of a flint is chipped by hand it may just as well be made to present an acute as a right Angle"

I could but reply "D^r Johnson has well said. "He who drives fat oxen should himself be fat"⁴ & to understand the uses to which savages put their tools we must rough shelter with them & when I find such distinguished travelers as Dr A. R. Wallace coming to me and pointing out their probable use I think I am justified they in believing they have been used"

He has not been to see or <examine?>.

The wear on some points th to their use as hammer stones, Anvils & so on.

Pardon this Scribble. I have had to knock off these letters. Since past 7. & now to 30 to JRS’s. Whittaker, known to yourself — in reply.

I remain | Yours respec[tfully?] | B Harrison [signature]