26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Nov. 9, 
Pror. Ress referred to the publication of the index of plates pre- 
sented to the Observatory of Columbia College by Mr. RuTuHeEr- 
FuRD. This led to correspondence with Pror. Epwarp 8. HoxpEeNn 
of the Lick Observatory, who requested a series of copies of the 
negatives of the moon. These were made by Mr. Mone 1, forty 
in number, and sent to Pror. HonpEen, who is much pleased with 
them. Mr. Honpen intends, eventually, to publish what may be 
called the ‘Lick Map of the Moon,” embodying results of examina- 
tions made of the Lick Photos by observers in Europe and America. 
Pror. Ress referred to the especial value of Rutherfurd’s Photo- 
graphs of the Moon in examining the question as to changes 
going on in the lunar surface. 
Meeting adjourned. 
November 9, 1891. 
STATED MEETING. 
Dr. A. A. JuniEN in the chair. About nineteen persons present. 
The minutes of the previous meeting (Oct. 26th) were read and 
approved. 
Dr. Ruspy exhibited the head of a South American Indian 
curiously preserved, leaving the hair and features intact, while the 
whole cranium is reduced to the size of a billiard ball. Dr. 
FriepERIcH and others made a few remarks in regard to this 
method of preserving the head as a trophy, a custom common 
among certain tribes. The reduction is supposed to be effected by 
alternate boiling and compression; certainly the process is slow 
and tedious. 
The following paper was then read: 
The Ancient Inscription on a Wall at Chatata, Tennessee. 
BY A. L. RAWSON. 
Mr. J. H. Hooper found what appeared to be a headstone to 
a grave, on a wooded ridge on his farm, in Bradley County, 
Tennessee, about thirteen miles from the railroad at Cleveland. 
He dug around the stone, expecting to find a name, but instead 
found only curious unknown letters or marks. He dug deeper 
and uncovered other stones that formed a wall of three courses, 
