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No. LXX.—POETRY. By E. B. TYLOR, Esq., E.R.S. 
The poetical compositions, which in some rude form appear 
among the rudest tribes, should be taken down carefully as to 
words, and also as to the musical intonation with which they 
are chanted. It has to be ascertained, if possible, whether the 
poem or song is one handed down from former generations, or a 
modern or extempore composition. Old records of national and 
personal history, and mythical and religious ideas, are often 
handed down in such old compositions, which also frequently 
preserve ancient words and forms of speech which have been 
disused in ordinary conversation. 
1. Are poetical compositions common, old and new ? 2. Are 
they repeated in precise unaltered form, and known to the 
people generally P 3. Are poetic compositions still often made? 
is there any thing like an order of bards P and do they receive 
rewards for making or singing them? 4. Are old historical 
events or personages commemorated in songs? 5. Are there 
special chants for religious purposes, prayer and praise of gods, 
&c. ? 6. Are such chants sung at religious and other festivals ? 
and by whom ? 7. What are the rules of melody in chants ? 
8. Do they follow any definable rules of rhythm or metre ? and 
are particular words used in order that they may suit this ? (See 
LXVIII.) 9. Are any peculiar, mystic, or ancient words used in 
poetry ? 10. Are choruses in use ? and how far do they consist 
of intelligible words, and how far of nonsense-syllables ? 11. 
Are there any performances of a dramatic nature, commemorating 
religious legends, wars, &c. ? and if so, is the dialogue in set 
forms handed down by tradition ? (See LVIL) 
No. LXXL—WRITING. By E. B. TYLOK, Esq., F.E.S. 
The expression of ideas by graphic signs has two bearings on 
anthropology : first, the use of marks, pictures, &c. for record 
and communication preserves stages in that course of develop¬ 
ment which leads through full picture-writing to phonetic and 
alphabetic writing; second, when an alphabet of any kind is in 
use, it usually shows resemblance to that of other districts, 
