618 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



chert diggings of Flint Ridge, Ohio ; the rhyolite quarry of Penn- 

 sylvania ; and the quarry of flint nodules in Texas. These all dif- 

 fer from Piney Branch in that the material is quarried from solid 

 rock ledges, not from soft gravels. The quarrying of soapstone- 

 in the District of Columbia and the making of it into bowls, the- 

 mining of copper in the Lake Superior district, and the taking out 

 of the famous red pipestone from the quarry in Minnesota are all 

 illustrated in the same complete fashion. As a representation of 

 an important and interesting aboriginal industry nothing could 

 be better. 



The anthropologist finds two collections of interest in the- 

 Woman's Building. In a dozen cases Prof. Mason shows "wom- 

 an's work in savagery." The development of personal decoration,, 

 the preparation and serving of food, the making of basketry and 

 matting, embroidery and needlework, beating of bark cloths, weav- 

 ing by hand frames and looms, dressing of leather, and pottery- 

 making are the chief points represented. The fact that woman 

 has been the chief actor in originating and developing every peace- 

 ful art is impressively shown. By the side of this series is Mrs. 

 French-Sheldon's collection. Every one knows of this woman's 

 exploration of East Africa. With no white companions, with an 

 escort of hired porters and guides under no command but her 

 own, she penetrated a thousand miles into Africa, among tribes 

 some of which, like the Masai, were on a war footing. She has 

 brought out from the dark continent thousands of objects illus- 

 trative of the daily life, the arts, and culture of the natives, and 

 here one may see them displayed as a monument of a remarkable 

 undertaking. Fine shields, carefully leaf-shaped spear-heads of 

 iron, objects of personal adornment, native dress, wood carving — 

 these are but a few of the many objects. Mrs. French-Sheldon 

 herself is frequently in attendance, and proves as much of an at- 

 traction as the collection. 



The student of culture-history must find objects of interest 

 everywhere, frequently where one would scarcely expect them. 

 Thus the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad makes a wonderful exhibit, 

 under the title of The World's Railway. A magnificent series 

 of pictures, models, and original specimens illustrate the whole 

 history of the development of the locomotive, the cars, and the 

 tracking. In the Shoe and Leather Building colored pictures and! 

 many wall cases full of specimens show the footwear of all ages 

 and all peoples. 



At Paris one of the most attractive features was the repre- 

 sentation of outlandish peoples. At Chicago the Midway Plai- 

 sance supplies the opportunity to see many strange sights. The 

 German village and Old Vienna are true architectural reproduc- 

 tions. The Chinese theater and its temple annex, with the native 



