592 The American Naturalist. [June, 
Archzologic or Archzological.—Which is correct, or are both 
correct? Is there any difference in their meaning, or any distinction 
in the phrases or senses in which they can be used? If both words 
mean exactly the same thing, why not discard one or the other, and 
why use them indifferently ? 
Human and Animal Remains.—(Dr. J. L. Wortman).—The 
proper collection and preservation of human and animal remains is 
important. Not infrequently, material of high scientific value is 
allowed to perish through lack of knowledge of effective method of 
preservation. Some of the methods are so crude, and the skill of col- 
lectors so primitive, that the material when collected is almost worth- 
less. Many remains looked upon by the inexperienced as hopelessly 
decayed, can, in the hands of the experienced collector, be made of 
interest and importance to science. 
It is a popular error that the anatomist can restore or reconstruct a 
skeleton from a few scattered fragments. Where the structure of the 
animal is known this may be done, but with imperfectly known species 
the entire skeleton is indispensable to a complete knowledge of its 
osteology. This is true of the human species for the determination of 
these racial differences or affinities displayed in their skeletons. For 
ese purposes not only one, but many skeletons may be required, and 
it should be the object of the collector to provide the requisite material, 
and in such a condition as to be of the highest possible scientific value. 
The best method of procedure is perhaps open to question. It de- 
pends upon a variety of conditions, such as character of matrix or soil, 
the condition of the skeleton, its state of preservation, mode of burial, 
etc. The best method of precedure can only be indicated in a general 
way. Suppose a skeleton rather friable, buried in loose, dry earth. 
How shall he proceed? Unnecessary and dangerous explorations 
with the coarser instruments, such as pick and shovel, must be avoided. 
Approaching the skeleton, he should explore it with care, using some 
all instrument, say a hand-trowel. He should make due allowance 
for the prominences, as the anterior superior curve of the spine, possi- 
bly the ribs, as they are frequently found in their natural position ; the 
frontal eminence of the skull, etc. 
After the superimposed earth has been removed, cut a trench a foot 
or so deep on either side of the skeleton, at enough distance to avoid 
injury to any of the bones—this for convenience in removing the earth 
from around the bones. Begin at either the head or feet, and remove 
the dirt bit by bit with the trowel, supplemented by small scrapers of 
