Introductory 85 



(probably a kind of decomposed pegmatite) , and is, in fact, an incipient 

 porcelain, lacking a sufficient grinding of the material. The glaze is 

 composed of the same material softened with powdered limestone and 

 colored with iron oxide. . . . The nature of the pottery, in spite 

 of its coarse grain and dark color, which is probably due in part to the 

 presence of iron in the clay, seems to show that the manufacture of 

 porcelain was not far distant." 



The report of Mr. Nichols is of sufficient importance and interest 

 to warrant its publication in full. It is divided into two parts. Part I 

 is devoted to a detailed investigation of the ancient porcelanous ware; 

 and, in order to render possible a comparison with the earlier Han 

 pottery, analysis of a green glaze from a bowl of Han pottery follows 

 in Part II. 



