460 AXXALS XEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIEXCES 



3. Abch^ologt 

 By Professor Fraxz Boas 



During the past year three distinct lines of anthropological work have 

 been taken np : (1) an investigation of the physical characteristics of the 

 Porto EicanS; (2) an inquiry into their folklore. (3) researches on the 

 antiquities of the island. 



The first of these inquiries had for its object the study of conditions of 

 groAUh of the body in a tropical environment. It is generally assumed 

 that heat has the eifect of accelerating the physiological development, so 

 that in warm climates children reach maturity' earlier than in temperate 

 zones. Our inquiries do not substantiate this view. The material has 

 not yet been collated: but from the general character of the data. I ven- 

 ture to sa}^ that they will be of the very greatest importance for practical 

 measures relating to the hygiene of childhood and for the management 

 of schools. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the valuable assistance that I 

 have enjoyed in this work on the part of the Department of Education, 

 and particularly of the Superintendent of Schools of Utuado. !Mr. Blanco, 

 and of all the teachers of that town. 



The data thus obtained give also valuable information on the type of 

 Porto Eicans and necessitated studies among the adults. Material for 

 these has been obtained, particularly among the soldiers of the Porto 

 Eican reofiment. and the success of this work is entirely due to the liberal 

 assistance of Major Basil H. Dutcher. It is not possible yet to speak of 

 the results of this work with certainty, but it would seem that a remark- 

 ably strong environmental influence upon the racial type of man may be 

 ol)served. If this should prove to be the case, we should have succeeded 

 in establishing a fact of great scientific importance. 



The collection of folklore in Porto Eico was entrusted to Dr. J. Alclen 

 Mason, who solved his task with great skill and success. He has accumu- 

 lated many hundreds of folk tales, riddles, rhymes, ballads, songs, which 

 will give us a clear insight into the traditional literature of the island. 

 I think the material, when worked out and published, will have not only 

 great value for the study of Eomanoc philolog}' and comparative litera- 

 ture, but will also furnish reading matter for the rural schools, attractive 

 and interesting to the children, because based on their o^ti historic en- 

 vironment. It should have an influence similar to that of the European 

 fairy tales, collected a century ago, which have been a source of pleasure 

 and instruction for millions. 



The arch^ological work has been carried on by Dr. H. K. Haeberlin, 

 ^Ir. Eobert T. Aitken and Dr. J. Alden ^lason. Dr. Haeberlin investi- 



