Wardle (H. N.) The treasures of prehistoric Moundville. (Harper's Mo., N. Y., 1906, CXII, 200-210, 14 fgs.) Gives account of the investigation of "an ancient American city of the copper age," near Moundville (named after it), Alabama, and describes the chief remains as discovered by C. B. Moore. In the various mounds were found human bones and votive gifts, copper gorgets, pendants, hair-ornaments, etc., water-bottles of black ware, ceremonial axes, etc.) The most remarkable specimens are "a wonderful diorite vase of the crested wood duck," a remnant of a carved shell drinking cup, etc. The scarcity of actual weapons and the abundance of ceremonial and decorative art-objects suggest that "the ancient settlement on the Black Warrior River was not military, but a center of barbaric art and religion." The settlement is plainly pre-Columbian, no European remains at all occurring. Wissler (C.) The whirlwind and the elk in the mythology of the Dakota. (J. Amer. Folk-Lore, Boston, 1905, XVIII, 257-268.) Discusses the "whirlwind moth" and analogues; the power of the elk (and buffalo), particularly in sexual matters (a legend illustrating the use of elk "medicine" by young men to acquire power over and possession of women is given). The buffalo and the bear are said to partake of the power of the whirlwind with some tribes. The cocoon and moth are believed to imitate the whirlwind. Problems of imitation are presented by the Dakota and their interpretations "are the results of keen psychological introspection." The whirlwind in question is the harmless little whirl," seen every clear day on the plains. Ethnic types and isolation. (Science, N. Y., 1906, N. S., XXIII, 147– 149.) Points out how well-known ethnographical facts (e. g., the distribution of North American aboriginal linguistic stocks) correspond in a way to the observations recorded from both animal and plant life. California may have been a nursery or incubator of liv ing stocks. Isolation has been an important factor in the development of ethnic types. Psychological barriers to diffusion may be thus created. ANTHROPOLOGIC MISCELLANEA International Bureau of Ethnography. - The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, has published the following free translation of a Memorial adopted by the Congress at Mons, Belgium, in September, 1905, providing for the organization of an International Bureau of Ethnography. The Field Museum and the United States National Museum have been invited to become members of the provisional organizing body. ARTICLE I. There is founded by the countries enumerated, and by all those countries which hereafter subscribe to the present agreement, a permanent Bureau entitled the International Bureau of Ethnography. ARTICLE 2. The object of the Bureau is the organization, at common expense, of services pertaining to the scientific documentation relative to the social state, the manners and customs of different peoples, especially peoples of inferior civilization. The Bureau especially concerns itself with the following objects: 1. The organization of a permanent bureau of inquiry, especially by: (a) The publication of ethnographic and sociologic questions, keeping account of the initiatives of different countries and of the results obtained; (b) The sending out of these questions through the medium of competent authorities to all those who are apt to furnish results, especially to Colonial officials, to explorers, to missionaries, etc. 2. The publication of the results of this inquiry on a uniform plan, or on a plan as uniform as possible. 3. The distribution of the results to the different contracting States, to participating learned associations, and to the public in general, under established conditions. 4. The elaboration of an ethnographic bibliography embodying the published writings (books and articles from periodicals) in all languages and in all countries. (a) Published at all times (progressive service). (b) Published during the current year (service to increase as much as possible). 5. The publication of the current part of this catalogue, and the communication of the results for the anterior part. ARTICLE 3. To this end there is established in Brussels an International Bureau of Ethnography charged with the organization of such divers services. ARTICLE 4. This Bureau enjoys all the rights attached to a civil person after the manner of permitting him to receive gifts and bequests, and of contracting for work and publication, of civil engagements in the sphere of their privileges. ARTICLE 5. The Bureau functions under the direction of an international committee formed by the delegates of all the contracting States. This international committee will be composed of three delegates for each nation, of whom one delegate shall have the title of National Commissioner, who shall be especially designated. They are nominated for a term of six years. This committee will unite at least once every two years, and consider all the decisions and conclusions relating to the International Bureau of Ethnography. It shall be empowered to convene more frequently, but at the initiative of the executive of the bureau or at the demand of four of the adhering States. ARTICLE 6. The national commissioners shall unite at least once each year and exercise the control of administration, and especially verify the accounts. Each commissioner will be, in place of his government, the ordinary intermediary to the International Bureau of Ethnography. He will communicate to it the results received by way of missions, of inquiries or otherwise. He will transmit the requirements of the International Bureau to his Government or Principal. ARTICLE 7. In the interval between sessions, the execution of the scientific decisions of the international committee, and the management of the administrative affairs, shall be confined to an Executive Bureau composed of the President, Permanent Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. For scientific affairs not foreseen, the Bureau shall take, through correspondence, the advice of the delegates of the different govern ments. Likewise for administrative affairs not foreseen, the Bureau will take, through correspondence, the advice of the national commissioners of the different governments. It shall be the duty of the Bureau to fix the dates of the meetings of the international committee, as well as to convoke the delegates of the contracting States, indicating the order of the day of meeting. The communications to the International Bureau of Ethnography with the adhering governments will be through the intermediary of the national commissioners. ARTICLE 8. Each country may encourage the co-operation of its own learned men and own learned societies; but the communication of this organization shall be made to the International Bureau of Ethnography. The Bureau may enter into direct relations with all societies of ethnography, of sociology, of geography, and other scientific organizations which wish to co-operate in the realization of the aim of the institution; likewise with men of science and, in general, individuals. ARTICLE 9. If the amount of donations, legacies, and subsidies arising from individuals or free institutions, capitalized at 3 percent, reaches at least the sixth of the allowance of the participating States, there shall be formed a committee of donors which shall be represented by two members of the international committee. ARTICLE IO. A report on the work and the financial administration of the Bureau shall be addressed each year to the adhering governments. To the report will be annexed a statement of the preliminary budget for the following year and the program of undertakings. ARTICLE II. The budget of the International Bureau of Ethnography will be supported by annual assessments of the contracting members and States, by the proceeds of the sale of publications and by taxes to be calculated upon information furnished, and by gifts and legacies. The amount of the assessments assigned annually to the Bureau by the adhering States is fixed at the minimum figure of (This amount shall be fixed at the first meeting of the international committee; it will depend in effect upon divers circumstances not yet determined, especially upon the number of languages into which the documents shall be translated and published.) The assessments, not consumed in the operations, shall be reported at the end of the year. They may serve, should there be a surplus, to con stitute a reserve fund. Above the annual assessments a capital of (likewise reserved as above) shall be put the first year at the disposition of the Bureau for installation expenses. The States and Colonies which shall hereafter make use of the privileges of joining, according to Article 17, shall have to pay their share of this sum upon the basis of assessments as fixed in Article 13. ARTICLE 12. The States and Colonies which withdraw from the Bureau at the expiration of their first term of twenty years, shall lose their participating rights in a common fund. In case of liquidation the common fund shall be partitioned among the States and Colonies of the International Bureau after a basis of distribution as provided for in Article 13. ARTICLE 13. The contributing part of the contracting States in the annual assessment to the International Bureau of Ethnography, as well as the first installments, is established in units upon the double base of their population and of economic activity. As for population, a unit shall be considered as 500,000 inhabitants. As for economic activity, a unit shall be considered as 50,000,000 francs of foreign commerce, imports and exports together. ARTICLE 14. The amount of the personal contributions of each State is rendered in an agreed proportion in subscriptions to publications calculated at a price of public sale reduced one-fifth. The use of collections by the delegates of the central administration of the adhering States is free. It shall answer, without expense, to all their demands for information. ARTICLE 15. The total assessment of the contracting States divided by the sum of the units attributed to each of them in execution of the preceding arrangements, will give the unit of the part leviable. It will suffice to multiply this by the number of units assigned to each of the States to find the amount of its contribution to the budget of the International Bureau of Ethnography. ARTICLE 16. In order to place the institution in position to realize its object as exactly and completely as possible, the contracting parties engage themselves each so far as concerns its own country: 1. To execute, as rapidly as possible, the obligations springing from Article 2. 2. To address to the International Bureau : (a) A copy of all official publications (books or periodicals) appearing which pertain to the aim of the institution. (b) The list, manuscript or printed, of all works (books or pamphlets) which shall appear in the future. This list, which shall be addressed to the Bureau of Ethnography with as much regularity as possible, shall be held as official. It shall indicate for each work the name and surname of the author, or the name of the publisher, and the title of the work with eventually such necessary supplementary directions as to assure a methodic |
