2 AMERICAN ARCHEOLOGY. 



To this end the Institution desires to collect from every availa- 

 ble source, whatever is now known, or can be ascertained by special 

 investigation, of the antiquities of North America ; and it invites 

 the cooperation of all into whose hands this circular may fall. 

 If the recipient has not the time or the disposition for such in- 

 quiries, he is requested to hand it to some one in his neighborhood 

 who is known to be, or who is likely to become, interested in such 

 matters, with the request to correspond directly with the Smithso- 

 nian Institution upon the subject. 



SPECIAL MEMOEANDA. 



In giving a description of any of the objects named above, great 

 care should be taken in defining tlie exact locality, the site or station, 

 the number and manner of grouping, the shape and size, the internal 

 structure, and the contents. 



1. Locality. — In locating aboriginal remains, the State (or terri- 

 tory,) the county, the township, and the distance and direction 

 from the nearest post office or railway station should be distinctly 

 given. In addition to this it is advisable to name any well known 

 stream, hill, bluff, or other remarkable natural feature in the im- 

 mediate vicinity. Explorers usually refer a " find" to the land of 

 some individual. This may answer for a secondary indication ; 

 but, inasmuch as lands are constantly changing owners, it should 

 not be too much relied upon. 



2. Site or Station. — Nearly all aboriginal constructions seem to 

 have been erected with reference to some natural advantage ; for 

 example, vipou a hill for observation or defense, by the water for 

 fishing purposes, upon an alluvial plain or terrace for convenience 

 to tillable land, &c. Again, there is reason to suppose that geo- 

 logical changes, such as the shifting of river beds, may have taken 

 place since these erections were made. The site of the remains 

 should, therefore, be described with reference to the surrounding 



