Record of A merican Folk-L ore. 143
Pueblos are the exact representative, still in use among living tribes, of the ancient notched bone — the omichihuaz — of the old Mexi- cans." — In the "American Anthropologist" (vol. xi. pp. 280-284), Mr. M. H. Saville writes of "The Musical Bow in Ancient Mexico," discussing the various musical instruments of the Mayas and Aztecs. — Pages 512-664 of Professor Wilson's monograph on "Prehistoric Art," referred to above, treat of " Prehistoric Musical Instruments " in detail, with many illustrations. The prehistoric musical instru- ments of the New World are considered in detail (pp. 561-663), — North, Central, and South America being all well-studied. The plates and figures are very numerous, the explanatory text very satisfactory. In the preparation of the data relating to America the author was assisted by Mr. E. P. Upham. The various theories of the origin and development of music (including Rowbotham and Wallaschek), are noted and discussed.
Sematology. In the "American Anthropologist " (N. S. vol. i. pp. 1 55-161), Dr. A. S. Gatschet discusses the words for '" Real,' 'true,' or 'genuine' in Indian languages." The languages inves' tigated are the Algonkian (Peoria, Miami, Shawnee, Delaware, Nipissing, Cree, and Arapaho) ; Iroquoian (Mohawk) ; Kiowan ; Shoshonean (Comanche) ; Tonkawan ; Kwakiutl, and Tshimsian. The conclusion reached by the author is that "the idea of 'man/ ' human being,' individualized to ' man of our own tribe,' must have been the prototype of the terms for 'real' or 'genuine' " (p. 161).
Weapons. The doctor's thesis of H. Meyer on " Bows and Arrows in Central Brazil" is reprinted in translation in the "Report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1896" (Washington, 1898), pp. 549-582, with numerous plates and illustrations, together with a distribution-map. The paper is a most interesting and valuable one.
Zootechny. In the "American Anthropologist" (N. S. vol. i. pp. 45-81), Prof. O. T. Mason has an extended illustrated article on "Aboriginal American Zootechny." Methods of capture of animals by the American Indians are described, the Indians' knowledge of zoology discussed, the products of zootechny noted, and the influ- ence of this art upon language, religion, society estimated. A list of weapon-areas (bow, arrow) is given, and their relation to the geo- graphic environment discussed. Worthy of note is the statement (p. 79), "in every one of the 18 environments mentioned in this paper, the savage people knew the best thing for every purpose."
A.F.C. and I. C. C.
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