818 SCIENTIFIC RECOED FOR 1885. 



The result, of course, exhibits in situ the extent and density of each 

 type. M. Manouvrier has improved on this in a paper read before the 

 Paris Anthropological Society. His plan is to place across the top of 

 the page the whole range of indices, each index number inclosed be- 

 tween two vertical lines. Down the left margin of the page may be 

 written the names, races, &c., under consideration. Each measurement 

 taken is indicated by a dot in the proper square. In the space with the 

 name may occur the whole number of examples, while at the right ex- 

 tremity of the same line may be written the mean. This system is 

 varied by M. Manouvrier by introducing horizontal lines of dots for 

 squares and putting actual fractional parts for dots. 



The Society Americaine de France has undertaken the composition of 

 a dictionary of American archaeology to be published in its name and 

 under its auspices. A committee has been appointed to divide the work 

 among the members of the society. The secretary of the committee 

 will prepare the list of words for the dictionary. The committee con- 

 sists of the following-named gentlemen : MM. Auben, Leon de Eosny, 

 Malte Brun, Oastaing, Eemi, Simeon, and Peuvrier. 



ARCHEOLOGY. 



Mr. William H. Holmes had occasion during the year to examine the 

 collections of mound-builders pottery in the Museum of the Davenport 

 Academy. In paste, manipulation, and functions, this ware differs not 

 in the least from that which has been frequently described as coming 

 from the Mississippi Valley. The great merit of Mr. Holmes's work is 

 the analysis and classification of form and the philosophic treatment of 

 the subject of decoration. 



An archaeological experiment of the greatest value was made by Mr. 

 Holmes. Noticing that very many fragments of ancient American pot- 

 tery preserved marks of textiles he conceived the notion that a cast in 

 fine sculptor's clay or plaster would restore the fabric. The methods 

 and results of these experiments are given in the third annual report of 

 the Bureau of Ethnology. It is highly important that these experi- 

 meuts should be followed up on pottery from difiereut parts of the 

 world. The same author has published a paper on the evidences of suc- 

 cessive populations in the valley of the city of Mexico. 



Dr. Abbott's publication in the American Naturalist on archaeological 

 frauds opens our eyes to the enormous ajnount of these practices. Aris- 

 totle's rule not to believe au archaeologist unless he preserves the evi- 

 dences of his assertions, will have to be rigorously applied, in order to 

 subdue this j)estilential element in a noble science. 



The Rev. S. D. Peet has written a series of articles on the symbolism 

 of the ancient Americans, his work being mainly directed to collating 

 the many types used in mythic representations. 



