288 ETHNOLOGICAL HINTS 



the strings supporting a vessel, &c., represented by incised lines ? 

 Are there any ancient drawings upon rocks, &c. ? and, if so, in what 

 respects do they differ from those of the existing natives ? Copies 

 to scale of any drawings which cannot be brought away would be 

 very desirable. 



5. — Further Enquiries and Observations on Ethnological Ques- 

 tions connected with Arctic Exploration. By A. W. Franks, f.s.a., 

 Keeper of Ethnography, &c, British Museum. 

 On reading over the enquiries suggested by the distinguished 

 members of the Anthropological Institute, Dr. Barnard Davis, Mr. 

 Tylor, Mr. Boyd Dawkins, and Col. Lane Fox, the following 

 additional points of enquiry have suggested themselves : — 



Anthropological Details. — Some uniform mode of measurement 

 should be adopted, and careful instructions would no doubt be fur- 

 nished by Dr. Barnard Davis. It would also be desirable to ascertain 

 the strength of the natives in lifting and throwing weights, and 

 pulling against weights, as compared with Europeans ; also their 

 speed in running. 



Mental Qualities. — Evidences of quick understanding or the re- 

 verse. Habits of providence or the reverse. Knowledge of numera- 

 tion and weights. Capability of understanding European pictures 

 of animals, and especially of landscapes. Comprehension of the 

 advantages of writing. Any knowledge of astronomy ? 



Marriage and Funeral Customs. — Is any ceremony observed with 

 either, sex on attaining puberty ? Are wives obtained by courtship, 

 capture, or purchase? if by the former, are there any surviving 

 symbols of either of the two latter modes, as in Eussia ? At what 

 acre are marriages usually entered into ? and are there any prohibited 

 decrees of relationship ? Are there any ceremonies at marriage or 

 on childbirth? Is the name of the child ancestral? has it any 

 special meaning ? and is it changed at any time ? How are the dead 

 buried ? are their weapons and food deposited with them ? and if so, 

 are they broken or rendered useless before being deposited? Is 

 there any ceremony on receiving friends or strangers ? 



Arts and Manufactures. — Any particulars on these points will be 

 of special value, as possibly illustrating prehistoiic periods. How 

 is the carving in ivory or bone executed ? Is any method employed 

 to soften the material? Have the ornamental designs on the im- 

 plements any particular meaning ? How are the skins tanned ? are 

 there any varieties in the fashions of dresses ? and are these tribal 

 or dependent on individual fancy ? How is the sinew-thread made ? 

 Are labrets in use? and is tatcoing employed by either sex? Is 



