1881.] Anthropology. 247 
trate Professor Potter’s paper, and twenty-four lithographic plates 
containing one hundred and forty-nine figures drawn to a scale 
by Dr. G. Hambach, to illustrate Dr. Evers’ paper. Excepting a 
few faults of proof-reading, the press-work and dlustrations are all 
that could be desired. 
One must study this volume with a good map of Missouri be- 
fore him. The geology of the south-eastern corner of the State 
is well described, especially the ridges bounded by bayous upon 
which the remains are located. Two ridges are included within 
the present survey: the “Sandy Wood Settlement,” near the 
town of Diehlstadt, in Scott county; and the “ New Madrid and 
Sikeston Ridge,” in New Madrid county. The latter ridge fur- 
nishes four settlements besides several scattering mound sites. 
The especial characteristics of these village sites are an earth wall 
and ditch enclosing a given area, an oblong principal mound, 
around which is an elliptical clear space, innumerable lodge- 
hollows filling the remainder of the enclosure beyond the clear 
space, and, finally, here and there, burial mounds, from which 
_ hundreds of skeletons and many thousands of specimens have 
_ been exhumed. . 
It is very difficult to abridge Professor Potter’s terse descrip- 
tion, and we regret the want of space to give even his summary 
(pages 17-19). age 
In Dr. Evers’ portion of the volume will be found descriptions 
of the materials, shapes, coloring and decorations of the pottery. 
The material is a dark, grayish clay, mixed with sand and shells, 
and sun-dried. (On the last point, see Professor Putnam’s excellent 
review of this work in the Sc. Am. Supplement, Jan 1, 1881, 4161- 
4163.) The color is generally black, and, in some specimens, 
moulded in the clay. The decorations are red, white and black, 
not burned in. 
In shape the vessels are classed as long-necked ; short-necked ; 
wide-mouthed, shallow dishes, with or without handles; gourd- 
shaped ; animal-shaped; and those exhibiting the human form. 
A few forms are suggestive of Peruvian, Central American, Pueblo, 
cliff dwelling, and even Asiatic pottery; but Dr. Evers as well as 
Professor Putnam have evidently learned caution through a large 
experience. The greatest variety in supporting the vessels is 
exhibited in Dr. Hambach’s drawings. 
The ornamentations are either moulded in the vessel, luted on 
the surface, incised, or painted on the outer surface (very rarely on 
the inside). The author makes an observation with reference to the 
design of these varied forms of embellishment which strikes us 
very favorably indeed. It might be called “the law of the least 
marvelous,” He contends that ancient implements must not be 
referred to any function more important or significant than a cor- 
responding one of the present day. A 
In conclusion, the NaTuRALIsT extends its congratulations to 
