ABSTRACTS 



Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



ANTHROPOLOGY. — Seneca fiction, legends, and myths. Collected by 

 Jeremiah Curtin and J. N. B. Hewitt. Paper accompanying 

 the 32d Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology. 

 Pp. 36-83. 1918. 



This paper consists of 58 stories classified as "fiction," 21 legends, 

 14 traditions, 4 tales, 9 myths, and i note on native medicine collected 

 from the Seneca Indians on the Cattaragus reservation in 1883, 1886, 

 and 1887 by the late Jeremiah Curtin; 31 legends and myths of much 

 greater average length obtained by Mr. J. N. B. Hewitt of the Bureau 

 of American Ethnology in the autumn of 1896, the last three accom- 

 panied by native Seneca texts; 23 pages of notes; and a short but im- 

 portant interpretative introduction of 29 pages. In this last Mr. 

 Hewitt gives a history of the Seneca tribe, describes and explains the 

 material in general terms, laying stress upon the importance of dis- 

 tinguishing true myths and legends from popular and even indecent 

 tales not confined by any means to primitive peoples; attempts and 

 outline of Mr. Curtin's views regarding primitive mythology; and 

 concludes with a short but interesting exposition of his own opinions 

 upon that subject. J. R. S wanton. 



ELECTRICITY. — Electrical characteristics and testing of dry cells. 

 Bur. Stand. Circ. No. 79. Pp. 44. 19 19. 



This circular summarizes the available information on dry cells. A 

 brief description of the materials and methods of construction, and 

 elementary theory of the operation of the cells is given. The various 

 sizes and kinds of dry cells on the American market are described. 

 The electrical characteristics of the cells and methods of testing them 

 are discussed. In an appendix are given the proposed specifications 

 for dry cells which have been prepared by the Bureau. 



G. W. ViNAL. 



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