OF THE BUREAU OP ETHNOLOGY. LI 



tively the primary and secondary cessions. The work will be 

 finished as rapidly as possible. 



ACCOMPANYING PAPERS. 



The present volume contains papers the subject matter of 

 which may be classified under the grand divisions of Tech- 

 nology, Philosophy, Sociology, and Ethnography. 



They ai-e all prepared by experts of recognized authority 

 in their several lines of research and are illustrated to the de- 

 gree required by the text for full understanding, the number 

 of figures presented being 548, besides ten full page plates. 

 Special mention of each of these papers follows in their order 

 as printed. 



ANCIENT ART OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI, COLOMBIA, BY 

 WILLIAM H. HOLMES 



The archaeology of Chiriqui should be studied, not only for 

 comparison with that of the territory comprised in the present 

 political divisions of North America, but because geograph- 

 ically the province should be considered as a part of the North 

 American continent. Until recently this isthmian region was 

 little known, the explorations for railroads and canals having 

 furnished the first valuable accounts of its modern inliabitants 

 and the relics left by former occupants. 



The National Museum now contains a large and precious 

 collection of archasologic material from the province, chiefly 

 obtained by Mr. J. A. McNiel during years of enthusiastic la- 

 bor. The information derived and the lessons to be learned 

 from tliis collection, together with all particulars relating thereto 

 gathered from other sources, are now presented in this paper 

 by Mr. W. H. Holmes. His work in the classification of the 

 immense number of objects and in the elucidation of their func- 

 tions, material, construction, forms, and decorations has been 

 careful and comprehensive. His manifest success has been 

 owing to his artistic insight and skill as well as to his archseo- 

 logic training. His ability in both fields can be appreciated 

 by an examination of the 287 illustrations in his paper, con- 



