THE SCIENTIST. 
173 
When coloring matter was used 
for ornamentation, it nearly always 
consisted of an ochreous clay or a 
different clay of some kind. 
The clay so used for ornamenta- 
tion was inlaid on the outer wall of 
the piece while both were in a plas- 
tic state. 
The Mound Builders. 
In Mr. Logan's description of a 
recently excavated mound, contained 
in this number of the Scientist, 
there was found undoubted intrusion 
burials. This method of burial, which 
was extensively adopted by the 
American Indian, as shown by many 
of the explored mounds of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, has been the means 
of causing more confusion in regard 
to a definite conclusion as to the 
distinction of the mound building 
race, than any other recorded item. 
These remains of the mound 
builders are regarded as the most 
ancient human structural work on 
the American continent and it is 
with the greatest difficulty that any 
bones from the older burials are 
preserved as they are in such a state 
of decomposition that they crumble 
with the slightest movement, still it 
is claimed that many skulls of un- 
doubted original mound builders 
have been preserved by authors of 
wide repute, always presenting some 
plausible act of nature as to how 
they were preserved during the ages 
of their interment, when as a matter 
of fact they are simply presenting 
the skull of a modern Indian, but 
upon this basis the opinion is formed 
in regard to the origin of the mound 
builders which is quoted one to an- 
other until it is finally accepted by 
the majority, that these ancient 
people were really Indians, such as 
Americans of to-day. This is further 
substantiated, it is to be regretted, 
by the publication of such biased 
articles as that of H. W. Henshaw 
in the second annual report of the 
bureau of ethnology. 
Gold at Kansas City. 
Gold has been discovered at Kan- 
sas City, Mo., in the general geolog- 
ical strata of tbe state No. 64. The 
location of this discovery, however, 
is on the north side of the river, 
opposite the city, at a depth of one 
hundred and twenty feet below the 
bed of the Missouri river. From a 
small quantity of sand ground up by 
the drill, several nuggets about the 
size of small shot were, taken. As 
to its being in quantities sufficient 
to pay for working has not yet been 
determined. 
We notice, according to Worcester, 
it makes no difference whether the 
insects of the genus bumbus is called 
bumble bee or humble bee; however, 
we prefer to call it bumble bee, be- 
cause there are times when it cannot 
be humble, judging from our own 
experience. 
SoAPSTONE or steatite is now made 
into stoves, sinks, paint, etc. 
