. 
1879.] 4 S00 [Putnam. 
house he explored had from one to four graves of children under the 
elay floor, he was convinced that it was a regular custom to bury the 
children in that way. He also found that the children had been un- 
doubtedly treated with affection, as in their small graves were found 
many of the best pieces of pottery he obtained, and also quantities of 
shell-beads, several large pearls, and many other objects which were 
probably the playthings of the little ones while living. } 
A petition for the formation of a Section of Microscopy, 
signed by Messrs. 8. P. Sharples, Samuel Wells, R. R. An- 
drews, David Hunt, Jr., and others, was read, and the con- 
sent of the Corporate Members present was given to such 
formation. 
General Meeting. December 17, 1879. 
Vice-President Mr, 8. H. Scudder in the chair. Forty-two 
persons present. 
Mr. F. W. Putnam made a communication on the princi- 
ples involved in the ornamentation of the pottery of some 
of the ancient nations of America, with particular reference 
to that from the Cumberland Valley in Tennessee, and from 
Nicaragua ; illustrating his subject by a fine series of vessels 
of various shapes, selected from the Peabody Museum of 
American Archeology and Ethnology. 
After a general review of the methods of ornamentation employed 
by American nations of the past, he showed that, by a study of such 
large collections as those in the Peabody Museum, the artistic devel- 
opment of the ancient peoples ef America was far greater than 
generally stated by writers; and that the art of ornamentation had, 
in many instances, risen above the simple patterns made by incised 
lines, rude stamps, and other early and crude forms. Both in color 
and plastic work, a realistic art had been produced which had often 
resulted in conventionalisms of great interest. 
1 A detailed account of this exploration with many illustrations will be found in 
the 11th Report of the Peabody Museum. 
