Putnam.] 
222 
[October 5 , 
graves. It rather indicates that in this single instance, from some 
special motive, the pit was utilized as a grave. The same reasons 
would hold good for not regarding the pits as caches for corn and 
other objects to be temporarily preserved. 
This brief sketch of this interesting cemetery would not be 
complete without reference to two or three areas about fifty feet 
in diameter, in which neither ash-pits nor skeletons have been 
found. It should also be noted that a large kitchen midden, 
several feet in thickness and of considerable extent, exists at the 
head of a small ravine. An extended exploration of this great 
refuse pile by Dr. Metz showed that it contained the same char- 
acter of materials as found in the pits, and it evidently belongs 
to the same period. I will only add that a large amount of inter- 
esting material was secured during my visit to this ancient 
cemetery, for which the Peabody museum is indebted to the 
liberality of the gentlemen of the Madisonville Society, who not 
only kindly permitted me to explore the place, but also g^ve me 
many objects that had been previously obtained. 
Prof. Edw. S. Morse described the character of the native 
ploughs and other agricultural implements used by the Japanese, 
and showed the evolution of the former from hoes. 
General Meeting. October 5, 1881. 
The President, Mr. S. H. Scudder, in the chair. Fifteen 
persons present. 
After calling the meeting to order, the President congratulated 
the Society that its long vacation had not seen the death of a 
single active member. One of the older members, Mr. James 
Davis, though not taking part in the meetings for many years, 
had yet shown his continued interest in the work of the Society 
by a generous bequest of $5,000, which had been received by the 
Treasurer. Mr. Davis was elected a member in 1833, and died 
May 28, 1881. 
The following papers were read : 
