[23] COLLECTING ANTHROPOLOGICAL INFORMATION HRDLICKA. 



and is an aid to tlie advance of the medical as well as the natural 

 sciences. 



Yet there are other men, to whom science has often been indebted, 

 whose good will, when opportunities arise, might result in much 

 benefit to physical anthropology. Among these are foreign mission- 

 aries and teachers, particularly among other peoples than the whites; 

 explorers, primarily interested in other sciences; miners, prospectors, 

 and surveyors and engineers of railroads; men engaged in trades that 

 take them into virgin regions; and travelers of means and leisure. 

 But it lies in the power of every intelligent person to call attention to 

 the discovery of an ancient burial place or cemetery, or to prevent 

 destruction of specimens and direct them to where they can be made 

 useful. 



It is almost superfluous to repeat the well-known fact that all the 

 collections of the U. S. National Museum are entirely for public 

 instruction and f reel}^ accessible to all scientific workers. 



The National Museum is always ready to respond to telegraphic or 

 other requests for vessels or preservatives; and in return for their 

 good will the Division of Anthropology is at all times ready to scien- 

 tifically aid those who favor it with needed material. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



An observer trained in anatoni}^ and phj^siology, or especially 

 instructed, can collect man}^ data of value to physical anthropology. 

 As has been mentioned before, this science comprises the study not 

 only of variations in well-defined groups of mankind, but also of their 

 causes, and this opens a large field for inquiry. But the subject is so 

 important that the utmost care must in every case be exercised, even 

 by well-trained men, to avoid errors. 



The desirable observations are those concerning the topography, 

 geology, climatology, and quality of water suppl3% of the particular 

 region whose people are studied; the nature and sufficiency of food; 

 use, present and past, and abuse of alcoholic beverages or substances 

 like coca, hashish, or arsenic; occupations;, the dwellings and habits of 

 life; prevalent diseases; sexual customs or habits, including the age at 

 which sexual relations are established; polygamj^, polyandr^^, and close 

 intermarrying; occurrences of impotence or sterility, and perversion. 



Among the most interesting points to ascertain is the proportion of 

 sexes in the tribe. 



Taking the woman over 50, one can ascertain, though much care 

 is necessary, her age at the time of the first conception; the number 

 of progeny living and the number that died; the number of abortions 

 with causes; occurrence of twins or triplets; occurrence of blind, deaf, 

 anomalous, or monstrous children. ' 



