134 



KEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



There are also placed upon the tops of the wall cases other models, 

 those of prehistoric mounds and earthworks belonging to the United 

 States.* 



They are made to represent the surface of the earth in and about the 

 respective monuments. Of course the surface they are intended to 

 represent is horizontal, flat, and it is a solecism to j)lace them perpen- 

 dicular. The objection mentioned with regard to the other models, as 

 to their being so high as not to be seen, applies equally to these. 



There is another reason for re-arrangement, which applies with 

 greater force to some of these mounds. The Etowah Mound, at Carters- 

 ville, Georgia, has, for example, been excavated and surveyed by the 

 Bureau of Ethnology. The objects found within that mound are dis- 

 played in one of the upright cases, while the model of the mound itself 

 is placed, along with many other models, in a jjerpendicular position on 

 the top of one of the wall cases. There is thus no relation between the 

 mound and the objects found therein, nor is there any opportunity for 

 the study and comparison of the two in their respective relations. 



The prehistoric collections from Central and South America are dis- 

 played in scattered cases, separated according to the requirements of 

 space, with the adjoining cases containing North American antiquities, 

 aud nothing to distinguish them except perhaps the labels. This dis- 

 play is not eifective and detracts largely from the benefit. Many per- 

 sons fail to see or recognize them as representing a civilization different 

 from that of the stone hatchets and arrow heads, and the Indian pipes, 

 in contiguous cases. 



The collection of prehistoric objects from Central America is of great 

 value and interest. It is the largest museum collection in this country, 

 and is exceeded only b^^ that of one private gentleman. It has scarcely 

 received the consideration due to its merits. It should be re-arranged, 

 should be assembled in one locality instead of being scattered as at 

 present, and should have a descriptive catalogue, with maps and illus- 

 trations worthy of the merit and rarity of its objects. 



In this connection I submit a list of the idols aud images and other 

 antiquities, which have lately been transferred to this hall, coming also' 

 from Central America, and which should be included in the catalogue : 



957 Zapatero Island, Lake ^Nicaragua. E. G-. 



Squier. 



958 Zapatero Island, Lake Nicaragua. E. G. 



Squier. 

 954 Momotombita Island, Lake Managua. E. 

 G. Squier. 



C2091 Ometepec Island, Lake Nicaragua. C. C. 



Nutting. 

 953 Momotombitalsland, Lake Nicaragua. E. 



G-. Squier. 

 61803 Dos Novillos, Costa Kica. M. C. Keitli. 

 70523 Moqui, Arizona. J. Stevenson. 



* Model of Effigy Mound in Wisconsin. Model of ancient earth- work at John Linu'd 

 place, Union County, Illinois. Model of the large Etowa Mound, Bartow County, 

 Georgia. Model of the Great Elephant Mound in Grant County, Wisconsin. Model 

 of group of Effigy mounds near Kickapoo Eiver, Wisconsin. Model of Serpent 

 Mound, Ohio. Model of Alligator Mound, Ohio. Model (cast) of rock inscription in 

 Winchester, Scott County, Illinois. Model of the burial pit of Nelson Mound, Cald- 

 well County, North Carolina. 



