GENERAL MEETING. 45 
types under the control of the material, namely, the perfect, simple 
how, in lands where elastic woods abound; the compound bow, in 
localities where, by choice or necessity, horn, bone, and antler are 
preferred as material; and the sinew-backed bow, with its two sub- 
types of the corded back and the solid back. Each one of these 
types may be subdivided indefinitely by ethnic marks. 
The arrow, at first a reed or twig unmodified, was only a shaft 
with merely an indication of a head as in some of the lower forms. 
From this, by a normal evolution, have come the feather, fore-shaft, 
head, and barbs, differentiating into endless varieties under the stress 
of material, definite functions, and the thousand and one forces 
which together we may call its environment. 
A large collection of bows and arrows varying in material, form, 
and origin was exhibited to exemplify the theory set forth. 
The communication was discussed by Messrs. Taytor, E. Far- 
QUHAR, RitEy, Harkness, Dati, and Exxiorr. Mr. Taylor 
called attention to the break in the evolutionary history of the bow 
at its very beginning. The stride from the elastic throwing-stick 
to the bow is immense. The discussion turned chiefly upon the 
proper basis for museum classification of ethnological material, 
Messrs. Riley, Dall, and Elliott advocating a classification primarily 
by peoples or races, and Mr. Mason defending the evolutionary 
system, where classification by races is supplemented and traversed 
by a classification in which articles of a kind are placed together. 
Mr. G. K. Gitprrt began a communication on 
CERTAIN NEW AND SMALL MOUNTAIN RANGES, 
which was unfinished when the hour for adjournment arrived. 
292p MEETING. NovemMBER 20, 1886. 
The President in the Chair. 
Forty-two members and guests present. 
Mr. G. K. GILBERT completed his communication 
ON CERTAIN NEW AND SMALL MOUNTAIN RANGES, 
and remarks were made by Messrs. Brntines and Hazen. 
