105 
Pror. C. Frep. Harrt, (of Cornell University,) presented 
an account of the “Aboriginal Manufacture of Pottery,” 
among the South American tribes, particularly in Brazil. 
The methods employed vary in different parts of the country ; 
but the most frequent process, as observed by him, was as 
follows :—the clay is first tempered, and then blackened by 
means of the ashes of certain particular woods. It is next 
rolled out into long thin strips, and the vessel is constructed 
by coiling up these strips one above another, and _press- 
ing the whole together. When the vessel is baked, a glazing 
is applied, which really consists of a layer of varnish, made 
from the South American copals. The resin is pulverized, 
and sprinkled over the surface to be glazed; and then the 
application of heat melts the powder into an even coating. 
In southern Brazil quite a different process exists; the 
articles are molded in pieces, and then luted together. 
With regard to the ornamentation of pottery, Prof. Hartt 
said that this whole branch of manufacture is in the hands 
of the women ; and he was strongly disposed, from what he 
had observed, to attribute the constant effort at ornamenting 
the articles produced, to the natural taste and genius pos- 
sessed by the female mind for beauty, which leads to an 
endeayor to develope something of elegance and attractive- 
ness in their humble handiwork. 
There are some exceedingly interesting principles apparent 
in regard to the devices on Indian pottery, which he had set 
forth in his lecture on “ Evolution in Ornament.”* Among’ 
these the most important are two, viz.: {1) That no rude 
people ever commence by the imitation of natural objects, 
as leaves, flowers, etc., however familiar these may be; but 
that all this is an after-thought, the process beginning with 
the simplest formation of straight lines. These are then 
variously repeated and combined, curves take the place of 
angles, etc. ; and finally accidental resemblances suggest the 
* Cf. also Proceedings of the University Convocation of the State of 
New York, 1873,—“ The Beginnings of Art.” 
11.—8. 
