182 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



most varied fabrics, including the making of thread, ropes, 

 etc. Remains of spinning-wheels of stone and clay are very- 

 abundant, as also the relics of the manufactured articles 

 themselves. Plaited fabrics, which served as mats, coverlets, 

 and Malls, showed the extended use of this branch of manu- 

 facture. The remains of spindles proved conclusively that 

 the art of weaving was known to these people, and that they 

 used a loom with the chain standing vertically instead of 

 horizontally. An important conclusion was derived from this 

 fact by the author in regard to the development of civiliza- 

 tion on the part of these people; since of the two methods, 

 namely, whether the chain is horizontal or vertical, the former 

 has been peculiar to India and Egypt from the earliest period, 

 while the latter was used among the Greco-Italian nations, a 

 proof that the European culture was not influenced by Africa 

 and Asia until it had itself made considerable progress. 14 

 C 9 CXCVIIL, 308. 



SHELL-HEAPS IX NEW BRUNSWICK. 



Of late years many discoveries have been made in regard 

 to the habits and characteristics of the jflborigines inhabiting 

 the coasts of North America prior to the time of Columbus 

 by careful examination of the artificial heaps of refuse shells, 

 bones, etc., accumulated in the vicinity of their villages. The 

 published researches of Professor Wyraan and others have 

 proved full of interest; and as the subject continues to ex- 

 cite the attention of American archaeologists, w r e doubt not 

 that much now hidden will yet be brought to light. As these 

 deposits are usually on or very near the sea, they are much 

 exposed to the wearing of the waves ; indeed, their discovery 

 is usually due to exposure of a section by this influence. For 

 this reason, it is of importance that the examinations in ques- 

 tion should be prosecuted before the heaps have entirely dis- 

 appeared, as a large proportion will probably not outlive the 

 next half century. "We learn that a careful search on the 

 shores of Kent and Northumberland counties, on the eastern 

 coast of New Brunswick, has shown that, in consequence of 

 the wearing away of the soft sandstone shale of the coast for 

 many rods, all traces of the shell deposits, believed to have 

 once existed in abundance, have now entirely vanished. 



