1887. } NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 43 
ability. The leader in counting-out performs an incantation, 
but the children grouped around him are free from that awe 
and superstitious reverence which characterized the procedure 
in its earlier state. Many circumstances make this view 
plausible, and clothe the doggerels with a new and fascinating 
interest. 
Following out this idea, the speaker showed many analogies 
between ancient customs and present games of children, in the 
use of the pebble, of the inverted cap, in the design for which 
the counting-out is applied, etc. He showed the similarity in 
all languages of the rhythm, admixture of gibberish with words 
having meaning, and in the use of numerals, and claimed for 
these analogies indications of antiquity. 
He indicated the modern origin of some of the rhymes current 
in America; as for example: 
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven; 
All good children go to Heaven; 
All bad children go below 
To keep company with Guiteau. 
He showed also the geographical sources of some of these dog- 
gerels, and the influence of environment on them. 
In conclusion he referred briefly to the Anglo-Cymric Score, 
popularly supposed to be an ‘‘ Indian” method of counting, but 
in reality of Welsh origin, as shown by Ellis. 
Remarks were made by Mr. L. E. CHITTENDEN, PROF. FRED- 
ERICK STENGEL, and by the PRESIDENT. 
October 31, 1887. 
STATED MEETING. 
The President, Pror. J. S. NEwBERRY, in the chair. 
Sixty-five persons present. 
Announcement was made that the Local Committee, A. A. 
A. S., had been invited to attend the next meeting of the Acad- 
emy, and that a reception and collation would be given in their 
honor. 
Pror. J. S. NEWBERRY gave an address on 
