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 chaw shapes spoke shavers. [illeg.] calls. Sapling Scrapers. Preswich, hollow Scrapers & so on –

I stick th to the term chawshard, this is a very primitive tool & used by the women in removing the bark from hop poles.

[sketch]

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 Cottager door & becomes a dirt scraper inserted in two small posts. , perhaps you have seen such.

[sketch of a door post]

Sir John Evans 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"⁷ & 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 FRS’s. Whittaker, known to yourself — in reply.

I remain | yours respec[tfully] | B Harrison² [signature]

Ightham

Fy 4 – 98