106 
imitation of natural objects, but only after this long process 
of simpler training. 
The other principle is that, (2) in this»way, similar and 
even identical devices grow up spontaneously and in- 
dependently, in tribes and nations wholly separate from one 
another. This is notably the case with the beautiful 
‘Grecian fret,” so called, which is represented in every 
stage of its ‘evolution,’ in the pottery of Brazil. 
Pror. EG LEston said that when Prof. Hartt described the 
mode of making pottery among the Amazonas tribes, by 
coiling up long strips, he should have supposed, had he not 
known otherwise, that the account referred to the manufac- 
ture of retorts as used in some of the Belgian zinc-works. 
The process is precisely identical ; and it would now seem as 
though it were the survival of a very ancient custom, rather 
than an exceptional and local peculiarity, as he had before 
supposed, 
Pror. D. S. MaArrin referred to the presence of Or 
Charles K. West, of Brooklyn, and hoped that he would give 
the Lyceum some account of the very active and valuable 
work lately done by the Long Island Historical Society in 
forming collections illustrating the geology and natural his- 
tory of Long Island. 
At the request of the Chairman,— 
Dr. West spoke, and after referring to his strong interest 
in the Lyceum, when formerly residing in New York, 
described the recent organization and growth of the Long 
Island Society, its building, library, cabinets, ete. He 
mentioned among other recent additions, that the entire 
series of specimens collected in the work of blasting out the 
reefs under the river at Hallett’s Point, had been deposited 
with the Society by the engineer incharge. It forms a val- 
uable illustration of both the rocks and the drift material 
there obtained. 
