26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [nOV. 9, 



Prof. Rees referred to the publication of the index of plates pre- 

 sented to the Observatory of Columbia College by Mr. Ruther- 

 ruRD. This led to correspondence with Prof. Edward S. Holden 

 of the Lick Observatory, who requested a series of copies of the 

 negatives of the moon. These were made by Mr. Monell, forty 

 in number, and sent to Prof. Holden, who is much pleased with 

 them. Mr. Holden intends, eventually, to publish what may be 

 called the "Lick Map of the Moon," embodying results of examina- 

 tions made of the Lick Photos by observers in Europe and America. 

 Prof. Rees referred to the especial value of Rutherfurd's Photo- 

 graphs of the Moon in examining the question as to changes 

 going on in the lunar surface. 



Meeting adjourned. 



November 9, 1891. 



Stated Meeting. 



Dr. a. a. Julien in the chair. About nineteen persons present. 



The minutes of the previous meeting (Oct. 26th) were read and 

 approved. 



Dr. Rusby exhibited the head of a South American Indian 

 curiously preserved, leaving the hair and features intact, while the 

 whole cranium is reduced to the size of a billiard ball. Dr. 

 Friederich and others made a few remarks in regard to this 

 method of preserving the head as a trophy, a custom common 

 among certain tribes. The reduction is supposed to be effected by 

 alternate boiling and compression ; certainly the process is slow 

 and tedious. 



The following paper was then read : 



The Ancient Inscription on a "Wall at Chatata, Tennessee. 



BY A. l. rawson. 



Mr. J. H. Hooper found what appeared to be a headstone to 

 a grave, on a wooded ridge on his farm, in Bradley County, 

 Tennessee, about thirteen miles from the railroad at Cleveland. 

 He dug around the stone, expecting to find a name, but instead 

 found only curious unknown letters or marks. He dug deeper 

 and uncovered other stones that formed a wall of three courses, 



