PROGEESS OF ANTHROPOLOGY IN 1890. 



By Prof. Otis T. Mason. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the present summary of anthropology ii; is designed to show the 

 progress of the science in a somewhat elementary manner, in order to 

 reach a larger nnmber of readers. The phrase, " natural history of 

 man " is here taken to mean the employment of the apparatus, pro- 

 cesses, and principles of natural history to the study of mankind. This 

 detinitiou will be subject to constant changes. Just as soon as any set 

 of phenomena or facts concerning our species may be arranged, classi- 

 fied, and studied after the manner of the naturalist, only then should 

 tliey be admitted into the laboratory of anthropology. 



Once admitted, their diflBculties will not cease. In order to keep 

 pace with other uatnral knowledge, these series of phenomena or facts 

 must ever be subjected to new forms of scrutiny. Botanists and zool- 

 ogists are constantly inventing better apparatus and refining their 

 methods, and furthermore, each department of these sciences requires 

 special machinery and appliances to perfect the delicacy of the senses 

 and to enable the investigator to hold large masses of facts before his 

 mind at once. 



Anthropology therefore is required to be a most vigorous science, 

 keeping pace with every improvement in other sciences, both general 

 and special, and refining its own apparatus and methods perpetually. 



The summary which at the close of each year faithfully chronicles 

 the topics discussed, the organized means of research, the improvement 

 in apparatus and the results attained, serves as a historical monument 

 by means of which future students may trace their way backward in 

 the develoi)ment of the science. 



A complete s.yllabus of anthropology would include — first, what man 

 is, and second, what man does. What man is may be denominated 

 Htriictnrnl anthropolof/j/ ; what man doos, funcfional (infhr(>j>()l(>(/)/. 



Science always deals witli iihenomena, and the name of ea(;h science 

 is derived from the things observed and studied. For instance, we 



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