228 Artificial Mounds of the Island of Marajó, Brazil. [ April, 
demonstrates the great experience and culture of the maker. 
The ornaments ‘encountered are naturally divided into three 
classes—those in relief, the engraved and the painted. The first 
kind is found upon idols and trinkets, and upon the sides of 
vessels, often forming handles by which they can be lifted. They 
are made by the hand, of soft clay, and generally rudely represent 
the human figure or that of some animal. 
The engraved and painted ornaments, however, very seldom 
represent natural objects, and when: they do, it is in a very con- 
ventional way, rendering it difficult to interpret them. They are 
usually of a purely esthetic character, and include the fret, the 
cross and other styles very well known in art. 
From some of the primitive forms has been worked out an exceed- 
ingly interesting series of modifications, from which arises the 
greatest value of the antiquities of Marajó. It is evident that we 
have there vestiges of a savage race that had entered upon the 
first rudiments of art, and advanced so little that it is possible 
now from their relics to trace each step in the early development 
of art. As the study of embryology has solved many difficult 
questions in zoology, so has the study of art here in the embryo 
explained important points in the general history of art. 
Prof. Hartt has thoroughly investigated this subject, and has 
arrived at very important conclusions regarding it. A single 
example will serve to explain the importance of this study. 
Ruskin and others have proved that many of the complex designs 
of architecture and the other arts are evolved from the fret, but 
no one: has carried the analysis farther. Now the pottery of 
Marajó comes in to complete the series, by showing that this fret 
originated from straight lines, which the savage, like a child, uses 
in his first attempts at ornamenting. 
I am unable within the limits of this paper to discuss this 
exceedingly interesting subject further. It simply remains for 
me to add a few words respecting the uses of these various 
objects, that an idea may be obtained of the customs and the 
mode of thought of this ancient people. Some of the objects 
were doubtless idols, and indicate a form of religious belief to 
have existed among them; others seem to be trinkets or objects 
made as pastimes; others ornaments for the dress or person; 
while others still were articles of domestic use, and even these 
last were carefully ornamented. Finally, the largest and most 
elaborate of all were burial urns, sometimes of broad dimensions, 
