200 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. XXI. No. 532 



they would rebound from the side and start back, but would 

 soon disappear. The globules varied in size from an eighth of an 

 inch in diameter to very minute. Sometimes while running 

 along they would gradually decrease in size until they would dis- 

 appear, while others would disappear in an instant. In a few 

 cases the size suddenly decreased to about one-half the original 

 diameter, the globule then continuing on its course without 

 further change, until it at last suddenly disappeared. Sometimes 

 two globules would run together, combine, and continue on their 

 course as one globule of increased size. In other cases, instead 

 of combining they would rebound from each other like rubber 

 balls. This rebound also took place when they ran against an 

 air bubble. In one case a globule about one- eighth of an inch in 

 diameter reached the side of the trough and i-ebounded, but it 

 was reduced in size to about one-half of its original diameter. It 

 was noticed, also, that they did not all move with the same velocity: 

 some shot across the water with great rapidity, while others 

 moved very deliberately, both kinds of movement taking place 

 at the same time and in the same direction. In rare instances 

 the globules stopped and lay at rest on the surface of the water 

 until their final sudden disappearance. The rapidity was always 

 greatest at the beginning. In order to ascertain how rapid a 

 current there might be (the water was about a quarter of an inch 

 deep) bits of wood were floated on the surface. The current 

 thus indicated was many times slower than the movement of the 

 globules. 



Particular attention was given to ascertain at what place 

 the globules originated. The falling stream made a circular de- 

 pression in the water about an inch in diameter. The globules 

 seemed to spring up from the outer edge of this depression, fall 

 back on the surface of the water, and then run rapidly away as 

 described above. The thought suggested itself to me that many, 

 if not all, of the observed phenomena could be accounted for by 

 rapid whirling motion of the globule. The gradual slackening of 

 the motioin, the fact that some stopped on the surface of the wa- 

 ter, the quick rebound from the sides of the trough, are all ef- 

 fects which can easily be produced by a rapidly whirling ball on 

 a plain surface, like the well-known movementsof a billiard ball. 

 This would also account for the phenomenon of a ball of water 

 floating on water, without blending with it, somewhat on the 

 same principal that stones can be made to skip over the surface 

 of water without sinking at once; or more remotely, as the 

 pitching of a curve in base-ball. The conditions, too, at the place 

 of origination of the globules, were just such as would produce a 

 sharp twisting motion. The falling stream was first turned to 

 the side by the bottom of the trough and then upward, until at 

 the top of the rebound the little globules sprang out. 



I do not recall ever having seen the above explanation given, 

 and so it is oflfered for what it is worth. 



The temperature of the water was never above 30°C., which 

 would preclude the common explanation for high temperatures. 

 Afterwards the same effects were obtained, on a smaller scale, 

 when the prongs of a large vibrating diapason were dipped into 

 water to show the etfects of vibration. 



THE HIEROGLYPHICS AND SYMBOLS OF ANCIENT 

 MEXICO. 



BY FRANCIS FABRY, P.R.G.S., LONDON, ENGLAND. 



The inquiry into the construction of the hieratic writing of 

 the Maya people, drags its extended length overmany a passing 

 decade, and does not go forward by leaps and bounds. So it has 

 been with the investigation of the groundwork of the symbolism 

 of the temples, the carved slabs of Palemke, the monoliths of 

 Copan, the profusely ornate external walls of the numerous 

 temples of the Yucatan peninsula. This symbolism is the very 

 foundation of the whole matter, the essence of the spirit pervad- 

 ing the sacerdotal mysteries of Central America. 



Mainly graven on stone, its variations are noticeable at a date 

 far from and greatly preceding the manuscripts. -consisting of 

 the limited number of four, that have been transmitted to us. 

 These written records, probably because of their being in aform 

 affording an easier study than the numerous drawings represent- 



ing the many sculptured remains of ancient Mexico, have had 

 the attention of the book student fixed upon them in no ordinary 

 degree. This concentration of thought has been a hindrance to 

 progress, inasmuch as it surveyed a comparatively narrow field, 

 and, observation not reaching far enough, the rife of the hiero- 

 glyphic forms, the initial composition of the hieratic writings, 

 and the evolution of religious thought, giving life and spirit to the 

 whole, has been but partially traced. 



In order to obtain a firm grasj) of the situation, the view should 

 be extended, and broadened to the utmost bounds of our know- 

 ledge. Primitive rock scratchings, the roughest sculptured 

 stones, the cup and ring incised carvings of prehistoric times, ■ — 

 each and every source of information should be called upon to 

 contribute material. 



In all study connected with hieroglyphics, in fact in all scientific 

 research, an endeavor to find radicals, to establish simply founda- 

 tion truths, and follow the processes of Nature or the composi- 

 tions — the artistic productions — of the fertile brain of man from 

 the lowest source, is the surest way of following the ramifica- 

 tions of evolution. 



Per.-iistent efforts to break up the mass of concrete Maya sym- 

 bols have, during a century, given results that have been disap- 

 pointing. Had the clue been discovered the entire outline of 

 the sacerdotal system must have been traced. The United States 

 Government has, however, largely contributed towards the at- 

 tainment of a perfect knowledge of these ancient mysteries, by 

 lavishly aiding inquiry and publishing from time to time records, 

 the work of professors, accompanied by engravings which, as 

 ideographic forms are a main feature of the system, are invalu- 

 able when the consummation of the inquiry is about to be 

 reached. 



To state that the end has been reached would be to as- 

 sume the subject of Maya symbolism is exhausted. I may, how- 

 ever, confidently predict we are on the high road to the desired 

 goal and announce the striking of a vein, the discovery of the 

 lode, and invite scientists to scrutinize my observations upon 

 that Maya relic, " The Sacred Stone." The whole question of its 

 identity, is treated in a popular manner in a monograph enti- 

 tled, ''The Sacred Maya Stone of Mexico and its symbolism." 

 The stone had been misnamed, and its use conjectured. Sup- 

 posed to be connected with the ancient Aztec ritual or sacrifices, 

 it was given an incorrect place chronologically, historically. 



In the museums of the United States and throughout the 

 archceological collections of Europe, it has been classed as sacrific- 

 ial. That excellent serial, " Archives International d'Ethuogra- 

 phie," published in Leiden, has in Volume III. an exhaustive 

 disquisition on the many varieties of the stone by Herr Strebel of 

 Hambm-g. The conclusion he arrived at is the rejection of the 

 nomenclature of the museums. In this result I heartily concur, 

 but takingan independent view and a new departure, I venture to 

 assert and am prepai'ed to prove it to be a relic of paramount 

 interest. Its earliest archaic type is the key to opening out a 

 vista of a nature worship of wide extent, and the ornate, highly 

 finished examples demonstrate evolution, in religious thought, 

 a recognition of combined natural forces, and solve the mysteries. 



CURRENT NOTES ON ANTHROPOLOGY.— XXVI. 



[Edited by D. G. Brinton. M.D., LL.D.] 



The Ethnic Study of Religions. 



A SUGGESTIYE sketch on " Recent movements in the historical 

 study of religions in America" appears in a late number of The 

 Biblical World from the pen of Professor Morris Jastrow, Jr. 

 He details the progress of the historical and comparative study 

 of religions, both in this country and in Europe, and very prop- 

 erly urges its importance as a branch of instruction in universi- 

 ties and similar institutions. 



It appears, however, that it is now generally taught as a 

 branch of psychology, ethics, speculative philcsophy or doctrinal 

 instruction. This is unfortunate, as these are not the real and 

 nearest relations to religions. Their closest ties are to ethnic 

 charact3ristics, and only by the light of these can they be clearly 



