1881. By J. W. POWELL, Director. Quarto, pp. 477. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1883. An The first part of this volume consists of a brief account of the operations of the Bureau for the fiscal year; the second, of a series of excellent and scholarly papers illustrating the methods and results of the researches prosecuted under the direction of the Bureau. The four great departments of objective activities-arts, institutions, languages, and opinions-have been the subject of systematic investigation. Of the papers, the first to attract our attention is "Art in Shell, of the Ancient Americans," by William H. Holmes. It einbraces some one hundred and twenty pages in the body of the work, is richly illustrated, and abounds in curious and most acceptable information. other contribution of more than usual interest is entitled "Animal Carvings from the Woods of the Mississippi Valley," by Henry W. Henshaw. Mrs. Smith's "Myths of the Iroquois " which occupies a prominent position in the volume, was noticed in a former number of the Magazine, prior to the publication of the complete Report. Concerning the manufacture of pottery Mr. James Stevenson presents an illustrated catalogue of the collections obtained from the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona in 1879, which embraces almost every object necessary to illustrate the domestic life and art of the tribes from whom the largest number of the specimens were obtained. It includes, in addition to pottery, implements of war and hunting, articles used in domestic manufactures, articles of clothing and personal adornment, basketry, trappings for horses, images, toys, stone implements, musical instruments, and those used in games and religious ceremonies, woven fabrics, foods prepared and unprepared, paints for decorating pottery and other objects, earths of which their pottery is manufactured, mineral pigments, medicines, etc. The chief value of the collection is unmistakably in the large variety of vessels and other articles of pottery which it contains. Some of these are " ancient," but the greater part are of modern manufacture. The potters apparently worked by no specific rules, and used no patterns. In the ornamentation, while there is a striking similarity in general characteristics, there is an endless variety in details. No two similar pieces can be found bearing precisely the same pattern. There seems to be no attempt to imitate the exact forms or ceramic designs of the so-called ancient pottery, fragments and sometimes entire vessels of which are found throughout the southwest region. The only colors used in decorating pottery are black, red, and some shades of brown. The cream-white pottery, which embraces nearly two-thirds of the collection, and is decorated in colors, shows in the fractures when broken very distinctly the effect of burning, the interior being of the natural leaden color, shading off to a dull grayish white as it approaches the outer surface. The opaque or creamy appearance is produced by a coating of opaque whitewash, and on this surface the figures are afterward drawn. There are really but few different figures used, and they are quite simple. The basketry, or wicker-work, of the Shinumos and Apaches, and of other tribes skilled in the art, is quite varied in form, construction, and decoration. The jug, or lanternshaped baskets, are very closely woven, and coated over with a resin or gum, which renders them capable of holding water. Most of the finer ware of this class is manufactured by the Apache Indians, and finds its way among the Pueblos through the medium of barter. Nearly all the edged implements - axes, hatchets, mauls, etc. are of hard volcanic rock, and more or less blunted and worn from severe use. They are all believed to be of ancient manufacture, collected from old ruins. Mr. Stevenson was unable to learn of a single instance in which one of these implements had been made by modern Indians. WOMEN, PLUMBERS, AND DOCTORS; or, Household Sanitation. By MRS. H. M. PLUNKETT. 12mo, pp. 248. New York, 1885 D. Appleton & Co. 66 The aim of this work is to show that if women and plumbers do their whole sanitary duty, there will be comparatively little occasion for the services of the doctors. The volume is filled with practical truths, such as People have yet to learn that sunshine is just as necessary to the perfect development of the human body as it is to the trees and flowers," and "consumption loves a moist locality and a dark dwelling." The condition of cellars, wholesome water, sewergas, and our neighbor's premises, are among the topics which Mrs. Plunkett treats at length. She has quoted generously from high sanitary authorities, but reminds the reader that sanitary science is a science of collated facts; that her purpose has been to be instructive rather than original, and to concentrate the existing light of to-day upon one small field-the home; and if the professional sanitarian encounters familiar instances and illustrations, he will notice that her endeavor is to arouse the interest and practical efforts of a new class-the women. There are fifty illustrations in the book, which is a model of good sense and concise writing. IN THE LENA DELTA; a Narrative of the Search for Lieut. -Commander De Long and his Companions: Followed by AN ACCOUNT OF THE GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION, and a Proposed Method of Reaching the North Pole. The author of this admirable book played a prominent part in the numerous and thrilling adventures attending the long ice-blockade of the Jeannette in the Polar seas. The greater por tion of the manuscript was prepared between the months of January and April, 1884, and the final chapters were written at sea; for, undaunted by his previous experiences, Melville sailed again into Arctic waters for the relief of Lieutenant Greely. It seems that prior to the voyage of the Jeannette no Polar expedition had ever set out by way of Behring Strait. So much has been already published concerning the luckless cruise of the lost Jeannette that it has been deemed advisable in this work to give only a running survey of events in that connection, and begin the more elaborate story with the date of the separation of the three boats in the gale of September 12, 1881. Chief Engineer Melville was the central figure in all the sufferings and exploits “In the Lena Delta ;" and his accounts of the same, in simple, straightforward English, is intensely interesting, and most acceptable to the reading public. The book contains much important information about the Arctic regions, and the illustrations add greatly to its value. Melville's "Proposed Method for Reaching the Pole," which occupies the closing pages of the volume, is rich with interest for all who pin their faith to the ultimate success of Polar explorations. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. The True Story of a Great Life. By WILLIAM O. STODDARD. With illustrations. 8vo, pp. 508. New York. Howard & Hulbert. Mr. Stoddard's position as private secretary to Mr. Lincoln has given him the opportunity for a vivid narrative of the early life and experiences through which the martyr President was fitted for political activity and public service. But in undertaking to separate the individual history of a great man from his public career, the results are naturally and necessarily unsatisfactory, Mr. Stoddard has made his book readable and interesting, and we may safely presume that the greater portion of the anecdotes with which it abounds are autobiographical, although there are some which we must conclude are but the invention of the talented author. The imaginary conversations in the early part of the volume do not add to the charm of the story, as was the manifest purpose in their production. The chapter on "Child-life in the Wilderness," with some of the chapters that follow are, however, eminently well written-with the exception of here and there an excess of the half-fictitious style of narration. As we proceed in our reading we find that Mr. Stoddard has touched upon Mr. Lincoln's growth and mature character with much spirit and tact, if not always in good taste, showing his rare sagacity and his profound patriotism, his quick insight into character, his magnanimity, gentleness and religious spirit. On page 297 we find the author's account of the interview between President Lin. coln and Mr. C. S. Bushnell in reference to the building of the Monitor, and the visit of Mr. Lincoln to the Navy Department to meet Mr. Bushnell the next morning. When Rear-Admiral Smith, Chairman of the Naval Board, asked the President what he thought of Mr. Bushnell's plan, the reply was, says Mr. Stoddard: "Well, I feel about it a good deal as the fat girl did when she put her foot into her stocking. She thought there was something in it.' We learn from these pages nothing of the obstacles which arose afterward to be overcome before the contract to build the Monitor could be obtained and which appear in a letter from Mr. Bushnell himself in another part of this number of the Magazine. Mr. Lincoln's development into a great leader of men was so intimately connected with the circumstances of the time, that no study of his personality can be advantageously considered apart from his public work, which called into exercise all the highest and noblest impulses of his nature. ANNOUNCEMENT.-The sketch of General Nathaniel Lyon, by Dr. William A. Hammond, announced for February, has been unavoidably postponed until March. The Magazine will publish an article in an early issue on the "Printing Press in America," illustrative of its growth, improvement, and present condition. One or two articles of moment in connection with our late war are also in active preparation for future pages. |