From the History Information Station: "Object: Two charm stones. The smooth stone was collected among the Miwok of Amador County; the fluted stone was collected amond the Pomo fo Lake County. They date to the late 19th or early 20th century. Both were acquired by the Oakland Public Museum in 1914. History: To the Pomo, the world is a place in which natural objects are alive and possess power and magic. Rocks of unusual form, such as these charm stones, are believed to possess special power and are part of the outfit, or singing, doctor. The doctor heats the stones and rubs them with special herbs. In cases where the patient's ailment is localized, they were pressed against the injured or painful area.