tail (queue de poisson) has been found elsewhere as an "amulette" perforated for suspension. That the queue de poisson on this bone had a similar motive is strongly suggested by the fact that both show a hollow which can only be meant for a perforation. The other bâton (Fig. 67) is perfect, and terminates at the handle end in a blunt point. The head is ornamented with a series of notches, and the body, below
FIG. 66. Portion of a Bâton de Commandement, ornamented with horse-heads, and an Amulet in the form of a fish-tail (⅓). (After Cartailhac and Breuil, L'Anth., 1907.)
FIG. 67. Bâton de Commandement, the with stags (½). (After Cartailhac and Breuil,L'Anth., 1907.)
Various opinions are held as to the real purpose of the so-called bâton de commandement. Some regard it as a magic stick, others that it is part of a horse's bridle, and others that it is a kind of fibula for fastening skin garments. Some of them, especially those with several holes of different sizes, may have been used as arrow-straighteners, a view suggested by Professor Boyd Dawkins (Cave Hunting, p. 355).
