May, 1843.] 269 



VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Mr. Haldeman exhibited a number of relics taken from 

 the grave of an Indian, among which were some portions of 

 human bone, and several small metallic cones enclosing hu- 

 man hair. All which were in contact with the metal, or in its 

 immediate vicinity, were in a high state of preservation. 

 Mr. Haldeman inquired whether this preservation might not 

 be accounted for on the principle of galvanic action. 



Dr. Bridges believed that the presence of the copper was 

 alone sufficient to account for it ; the bone particularly would 

 be found, on close inspection, to be hardest and best pre- 

 served in those parts of it most deeply coloured by the 

 copper, 



