^^^ NOTES AND COMMENTS. 57 1 



obtained. In feict the work is fvill of valuable material of interest to 

 the Antiquary and to the student of Prehistoric Archaeology, where 

 Geology may be said to merge into History. Referring to the de- 

 tailed nature of his work, and especially to fragments of pottery, the 

 author says that " tedious as it may appear to some, to dwell on the 

 discovery of odds and ends, that have, no doubt, been thrown away 

 by their owners as rubbish, .... yet it is by the study of such trivial 

 details that Archajology is mainly dependent for determining the 

 dates of earthworks." 



Although General Pitt-Rivers holds the appointment of Govern- 

 ment Inspector of Ancient Monuments in Britain, the excavations have 

 been conducted entirely at his own expense. In Germany extensive 

 explorations of a similar nature have been carried out by the Govern- 

 ment of that country ; but, as the author remarks, " it is, perhaps, 

 more in harmony with the recognised custom of our country to leave 

 such works for private enterprise." Fortunately, General Pitt-Rivers 

 has had the three most necessary requirements for original research 

 — time, money, and ability. He acknowledges also the aid of his 

 private staff of four assistants. 



The volumes are printed privately, being intended for workers. 

 The author believes there would be no demand on the part of the 

 public for a work of so much detail, for " few persons, even among 

 those who attend archaeological meetings, put themselves to the 

 trouble of checking opinions, by sifting the evidence upon which they 

 are based." 



The specimens have been placed in a museum erected by the 

 author at Farnham, in Dorset. He is, however, of opinion that, so 

 far as the general public is concerned, museums must be supplemented 

 .by other inducements to make them attractive. Within a short 

 distance of his museum he has formed a recreation ground, where his 

 private band plays every Sunday evening in the summer. This ground 

 was attended last year by 16,839 persons, and nearly half of the number 

 visited the museum. General Pitt-Rivers has likewise built a Museum 

 Hotel, so that visitors can iind first-class accommodation. He thinks 

 it a mistake to suppose that country towns are the best localities for 

 local museums. He finds the attendance at the Dorchester Museum 

 only 2,826 as against 7,000 at the Farnham Museum ; and no doubt 

 tlie outing is in itself an important accessory in a visit to a country 

 museum, for it draws people out of the to\vns. 



Indexes of Science. 



We are glad to see the discussion now in progress in Nature about 

 the recording of Zoological literature. It is an old story, and sugges- 

 tions are many ; but those willing to devote the necessary time to 

 recording are few and far between. That something must be done is 

 evident, for over and over again we meet with papers in which 



