Makch 2, 1883.] 



SCIENCE. 



119 



mal, immediately upon its occurreuce. Tlie first 

 fruit of this excellent system, in the form of a highly 

 interesting sliarlj, arrived at the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution on the 14th inst., from Amagansett, Long 

 Island. To indicate the importance which this new 

 departure seems likely at once to assume, it may be 

 stated that this first specimen, having been exam- 

 ined by Dr. T. H. Bean, curator of the department 

 of fishes, proves to be a species of Pseudotriacis, a 

 genus of which no representative has been hitherto 

 recorded as occurring in the western Atlantic. The 

 species, P. microdon, to which the Amagansett shark 

 belongs, was made known in 1867, by Capello, from 

 the coast of Portugal. 



Bureau of Ethnology. 



Cliff dwellings in the Canon de Chilly. — The eth- 

 nologic and archeologic researches that were begun 

 a few years ago in the north-west were continued 

 during the present season in that region known as 

 the San Juan, principally in the canons formed by 

 the drainage of that river and its tributaries. The 

 examinations of ruins were conducted in Caiion de 

 Chilly and some of its principal side cafions, by Col. 

 James Stevenson; and some important and interest- 

 ing discoveries and collections were made. About 

 forty-five ruined villages and dwellings were visited, 

 many of which were carefully explored. Several of 

 the more important villages were surveyed, and care- 

 ful measurements taken, from which to construct 

 models. About one-fourth of the number of ruins 

 observed in these caiions were situated so high up 

 in the sides of the cliff walls as to be inaccessible. 

 Those, however, from which the finest specimens 

 were obtained, and which presented the most novel 

 features of architecture, were reached. One village, 

 in this connection, is worthy of special mention. It 

 is located in a side caiion of the de Chilly, about 

 twelve miles from its junction with the main valley. 

 The ruins occupy a space of about 900 feet in length 

 by an average width of 125 feet. It is located in a 

 large cave-like opening, whose arch circles over the 

 village to a height of about 200 feet. Some of the 

 houses have tumbled completely down; others are in 

 a partial state of preservation ; and a few are so well 

 preserved as to present the whole plan of architec- 

 tural design, as well as all the details of the masonry. 

 This dwelling showed, that, wherever implements 

 were used in its construction, they were made of 

 stone; and no evidence appeai-ed that the inhabitants 

 had any knowledge of metal. The implements were 

 all either of bone, stone, or wood. 



At intervals among tlie ruins stood the walls of 

 four estufas, in a sufficient state of preservation to 

 enable one to define very closely the character of the 

 original structure. These were circular, but varied 

 quite essentially from estufas of the present day. 

 The interior of one of these has a wide band, laid on 

 in bright, durable colors, running entirely around 

 the structure, resembling a Greek fret, with narrow 

 bands above and below, and with the interior spaces 

 filled with curious artistic designs. The walls in the 

 rear of the ruins are literally covered with picture- 

 writing, and in every convenient spot may be seen 

 small cup-like cavities produced by sharpening stone 

 implements. 



In front of the village was found a burial cist, or 

 artificially constructed oven-shaped pen, in which were 

 found the remains of four human skeletons. The 

 manner and care manifested in the burial of these 

 dead may be taken as a type of the burial-customs of 

 the cliff-dwellers. This cist, or oven, was composed 

 of small logs, stones, and plaster. The diameter of 

 the urn at the bottom is about four feet, closing toward 



the top in the shape of a dome. The logs were laid 

 one on the top of the other, earth thrown up around 

 the outside, and the interior heavily coated with 

 plaster. The skeletons were doubled up like mum- 

 mies, though buried without being wrapped in cloth 

 or clothing of any kind. These skeletons were se- 

 cured, and brought to the National museum. Among 

 the debris of these same ruins were found many ob- 

 jects of dress and clothing, several kinds of mocca- 

 sons or sandals, showing fine workmanship and skill 

 in weaving, and many other objects illustrative of 

 the art, manners, and customs of the cliff-dwellers; 

 a full account of which will ajppear in Major Powell's 

 ofiBcial report from the bureau. 



PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. 

 Harvard college observatory. 



Transmission of astronomical intelligence. — An 

 association of about fifty European observatories has 

 recently been formed for this purpose, with its head- 

 quarters at the Eoyal observatory, Kiel, Germany, 

 directed by Piof. Krueger, who has taken charge of 

 the business of the association. Connections by cable 

 have been established with South America, South 

 Africa, and Australia; and the observatory has been 

 requested to co-operate with it, in the United States, 

 by receiving and distributing in this country the tele- 

 graphic information sent from Kiel, and by forward- 

 ing to Kiel by telegraph any siniiliar information of 

 importance collected from American astronomers. 

 By the courtesy of Prof. Baird, secretary of the 

 Smithsonian institution, the function hitherto per- 

 formed by the institution, of collecting and trans- 

 mitting announcements of discovery, has been trans- 

 ferred to the Harvard college observatory. 



The importance of the work thus begun requires 

 that a special officer of the observatory should be in- 

 trusted with it. Mr. John Ritchie, jun., has accord- 

 ingly been appointed assistant in charge of this 

 service, and the details of the proposed system are 

 explained by him in a circular, which may be had on 

 application. 



American astronomers are requested to send to the 

 "Harvard college observatory, Cambridge, Massa- 

 chusetts," telegraphic information of discoveries of 

 comets, asteroids, or phenomena of any kind requir- 

 ing immediate attention. Arrangements will be made 

 to refund the cost of such telegrams to the senders 

 when their contents are of importance. It is very 

 desirable that the messages should conform to the 

 principles stated in Mr. Ritchie's circular. 



It is intended that the distribution of information 

 in this countiy shall be of such nature as to be pro- 

 ductive of the greatest possible benefit, and will be 

 of the broadest possible character. Discoveries, 

 whether by American astronomers or by foreigners, 

 will be circulated through the associated news com- 

 panies, by special circulars of the Science observer, 

 and by special telegrams. 



NOTES AND NEWS. 

 — The National academy of sciences at its last 

 meeting appointed a committee, of which Prof. C. A, 

 Young is chairman, and Prof. J. H. C. Coffin secre- 

 tary, to arrange plans for observing the total eclipse 

 of the sun of May 6 next. This eclipse is of unusual 

 importance, as the duration of totality at its maxi- 

 mum value is 5 m. 55 sec. Unfortunately, the path 

 of the shadow lies wholly in the Pacific Ocean, and 



