FEWKES] ARCHEOLOGICAL TRIP TO WEST INDIES I I 5 



specimens which he saw or obtained on the trip. It will not be pos- 

 sible at this time to compare these with similar objects already 

 known ; a detailed description is reserved for a more extended re- 

 port, when available documentary and historical references to the 

 uses of many of the objects will be freely quoted. Only such speci- 

 mens are here considered as will indicate the wealth of new material 

 possible to obtain in this almost neglected field. The size and value 

 of the collection acquired during a comparatively brief sojourn is the 

 best possible evidence of the promise which the West Indian field 

 affords to the archeologist. 



The collection brought back to Washington, including the speci- 

 mens obtained by excavation and by purchase, numbers over twelve 

 hundred specimens. These objects vary in scientific value, for while 

 many are duplicates of forms already known to students, others are 

 entirely unique. The most important collection obtained by pur- 

 chase was from the Right Reverend Fernandez IMeriiio, formerly 

 I*resident, now Archbishop of Santo Domingo. This famous col- 

 lection, which was the best on the island, contains about one hun- 

 dred and ten specimens, most of which are unique. Considering 

 our lack of knowledge of the antiquities of Santo Domingo, and the 

 scarcity of specimens from this island in the National Museum, the 

 acquisition of this rare collection, gathered with care during many 

 years by a learned man, is gratifying. 



Collections were also purchased in Porto Rico. Among these may 

 be mentioned that of Sr. Zeno Gandia, formerly owned by the 

 Gabinete de Lectura, a scientific and literary society which formerly 

 existed in Ponce. A small collection was also acquired from Senor 

 Angelis of Catania, and another from Sefior Fernandez of Loquillo, 

 In the eastern end of the island. 



But by far the largest number of specimens from Porto Rico was 

 obtained, one or two at a time, from the natives, commonly called 

 Jibaros. For this purpose the author went from house to house in 

 the poorer sections of several towns, as Manati, Ciales, Toa Alta, 

 Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Dorado, soliciting these objects directly 

 from the people. Almost every small cabin was found to possess 

 one or more perfect celts, called picdras dc rayo, or thunder-stones, 

 concerning which the owners possessed considerable folklore. 



But the material obtained by purchase forms only a part of that 

 made use of by the author in his studies. He availed himself of 

 the opportunities afforded by his trip to study local collections which 

 could not be acquired. Among these may be mentioned a Domini- 

 can collection owned by Sefior Imbert, of Puerto Plata, who, al- 



