168 MEETING, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7. 



of early American pottery and gave a description of the 

 various modes of its manufacture by the different peoples 

 in America. He showed how the ancient pottery had 

 been made over round stones, in some instances, while in 

 others it was formed by coiling ropes of clay upon them- 

 selves, and in still others by casting in moulds. He then 

 explained how his studies of the pottery of past times, 

 and that made by the uncivilized peoples of the present 

 time, were not at all from the standpoint of the artist, but 

 purely from that of the ethnologist. He then called atten- 

 tion to the different ways of preparing and mixing the 

 clay by various American tribes and nations, and to the 

 distinct forms and methods of ornamentation adopted. 

 Stating that from a study of these methods we could soon 

 learn to distinguish the various types found in America, 

 and by following out the particular development of the 

 art in various places in North, Central and South America, 

 we could draw important conclusions relating to the mi- 

 grations of nations and their contact with each other. 



Rev. Fielder Israel, of Salem, offered the following 

 vote of thanks which was unanimously passed : 



Voted, That the very cordial thanks of the Essex Insti- 

 tute are hereby tendered to the Messrs. Low of the Chel- 

 sea Art Tile works, Mr. J. R. Can* of Chelsea and the 

 proprietors of the McGee Furnace Company for many 

 civilities and attentions during the day, and to the Chel- 

 sea Review Club for the use of its rooms for this meeting. 



Regular Meeting, Monday, November 7, 1881. 



At the meeting this evening Messrs. George Plumer 

 Smith of Philadelphia, Pa., and William W. Wheildon 

 of Concord, Mass., were elected corresponding members. 



