348 Sketch of North American Anthropology in 1879. [May, 
SKETCH OF NORTH AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGY 
IN 1879. 
BY OTIS T. MASON, 
NTHROPOLOGY is that science which has for its object- 
matter the human race, and has reference: 1. To the origin 
of man considered zodlogically, geologically, geographically and 
chronologically, and to his pristine mental and social condition; 2. 
To humanity as a whole compared with other similar groups 
of the animal kingdom, and with itself in different environments, 
and in various stages of culture; 3. To the natural division of the 
species into races or varieties. 
This science is related, more or less intimately, with every other 
department of human knowledge; so much so that he who would 
know a great deal about this one subject, must needs know a little 
about everything. 
Between anthropology and many ancillary sciences it is not 
very difficult to draw the line, if we keep in view the fact that it 
is always comparative, or gathering materials for comparison. The 
physician studies the structure and functions of the human body, 
not to compare but to heal. The historian regards the actions of 
men, so does the anthropologist; but the former pays most atten- 
tion to the conduct of individuals, or the voluntary and incidental 
conduct of masses; while the latter scrutinizes those actions that 
are tribal, inherited; not so much what a people did, as what they 
did habitually; not so much what they are doing, as what they are 
accustomed to do, 
As the bounds of knowledge widen and the relations existing 
between the soul of man and his material environment become 
better understood, many of those phenomena which are looked 
upon by the historian and the biologist as erratic, will be found 
working in obedience to physical and spiritual laws. 
With this preliminary thought in our minds to guide and 
restrain us, let us take a glance at the field of anthropological 
research in our own continent during the year 1879. It will be 
necessary to include in this review works on American anthro- 
pology by foreigners as well as by our own scholars, and also 
those by American writers upon the subject in general, as well as 
upon topics outside of North America. 
1 The writer must be pardoned if he does not sufficiently appreciate the merits á 
many worthy publications, and if he passes others by entirely. No work that has 
