Ancient Duala Utensil. 67 
In the Philadelphia Museum are two jugs or bottles, composed of 
similar materials, found in Tennessee, at the depth of fifteen or 
twenty feet below the surface of the ground. Several specimens of 
the same ware, are also contained in the collection of the Philo- 
sophical Society, in this city. ‘Some of the latter, and one of those 
in the Museum, bear a near resemblance in form to an egg, with 
one end opened and extended a little, to constitute a neck and 
mouth. ‘The most rude and apparently the most ancient specimens 
have generally this form; which may possibly have been suggested 
_ to the mind of the savage, together with the very idea of earthen 
ware itself, by the previous use of egg shells for some domestic pur- 
poses. None of the specimens of pottery above referred to, appear 
to have received any glazing—a remark which, as far as my obser- 
vation has extended, is likewise applicable to the Mexican and South 
American pottery. ‘The latter occasionally exhibit a species of-var- 
nish very durable in its nature, but entirely distinct from a true gla- 
zing. ‘This observation is in conformity with the opinion of Mr. 
Abraham Miller of this city, whose practical acquaintance with this 
edie. 
branch of art has led him toa careful exaniination of saany. spect 
mens of the ancient. manufacture. Se ae 
The dotted lines and figures in the cut indicate the cavers dimen- 
ite That the vessel was not formed by revolving machinery is 
shown by the difference in the depth of the body on two opposite 
sides. ‘The contents of the vase are three anda half pints. From 
its peculiar composition and manufacture, it sends forth when moist- 
ened a fresh earthy odor, exactly like that which is perceived at the 
commencement of a sudden shower, at the close of a hot summer’s 
day. As a drinking vessel, this circumstance may have enhanced 
its vi the eyes of the Indian, who thus regaled his sense of 
smell exactly as when he quaffed from the pure native spring. 
I have been thus particular i in the above description, from a belief, 
that when collected, figured and described, objects of this kind may 
aid in forming an estimate of the state of the arts and civilization 
among the nations which possessed this continent at periods of very 
remote antiquity, and may perbaps furnish an index to mark the re- 
lationship of the American Indians, either with each other, or with 
distant nations of the globe. 
