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 REPORT 
 
 HUACALS, OR ANCIEiNT GRAYETARDS 
 
 OF OHIEIQUI. 
 
 A PAPEE BEAD BEFOEE THE AMFI'.iCAlSr ETHNOLOGICAL SttOIETT, BY 
 J. KING MEEElfl M.D. 
 
 [Dr. Merritt Aras director of a gold-mine in Veraguas, and spent several weeks, in the 
 summer of 1859, in examining and excavating the newly discovered graves — Huacaa or 
 Guacas— in the adjoining province of Chiriqui, about fifty miles north of Panama.] 
 
 In the autumn of 1858 two Spanish creole- farmers of Chiriqui, while 
 engaged in gathering a crop of corn, accidentally discovered a golden 
 image, which had been exposed by the uprooting of a plant. They cau- 
 tiously and secretly made farther search by sinking a pit at this point, 
 and were successful in obtaining more. With this encouragement they 
 determined to explore the Huacal, the existence of which had been well 
 known for years. They proceeded in this work, not continuously, 
 but as circumstances would permit, until the 1st of May, 1859, when 
 their concealed operations became known to the inhabitants of the 
 vicinity. The consequence was, that by the middle of May more than a 
 thousand persons were engaged in ransacking the graves of this Huacal, 
 which is located in the district of Boqueron and parish of Bugaba, about 
 twenty-five miles from David, and fifteen miles only from the sea, in a 
 direct line. The names of the fortunate discoverers are Ignacio Guerra 
 and Yictorio Pitti, who succeeded in collecting together, as admitted to 
 I'me by themselves, about 130 pounds weight of golden figures, a large 
 of which, however, are more or less alloyed with copper. 
 Icdotes were related to me connected with the earlier explora- 
 tions of this Huacal. One was, that a lad, the son of Ignacio Guerra, 
 seemed to possess the "divining power." It is said he always selected 
 the grave to be opened, and was almost uniformly successful in the 
 selection of a "gold-bearing" one; while perhaps the next adjoining, 
 although carefully explored by other parties, would yield only pottery. 
 This boy, it is stated, would proceed in advance of his father, "pro- 
 
\\-^^' 
 
 4: DE. MEEEITT S PAPEE ON 
 
 specting;" and, having chosen the grave, would saj, with perfect non- 
 chalance, "Padre mio! aqui esta una Huaca rica: ella tiene muchas 
 figuras del oro." [Father, here is a rich grave ; it has many golden 
 images.] The other anecdote related to the " confidence" operations of 
 the priest of the parish. lie pretended to possess the " divining rod," a 
 relic of some gold-seeker of olden time. With this, it is said, he Avould 
 proceed to the Huacal, followed by a thi'ong of eager grave-diggers, and 
 would designate to each the golden sepulchres for the unselfish consid- 
 eration of one third of the yield. His rod and modus operandi were 
 more simple than ingenious. The rod was an antique steel bar. This 
 was suspended near its middle by a small cord, which was grasped in 
 his outstretched hand. Upon arriving at a suspected locality, he would 
 give the bar a rapid twirl, and begin to mutter an " Ave" or a " Beni- 
 dicite" in a hurried manner. When the bar ceased to gyrate, the longer 
 end, depressed by its greater weight, indicated the desired spot. This 
 profitable farce was practiced by the priest for a few days, until the 
 arrival of some intelligent and influential persons from David, who 
 exposed the swindle. 
 
 This Huacal of Bugaba had been quite thoroughly explored by the 
 first of August, and people were then directing their attention to others 
 in the vicinity; but the heavy rains, which daily occurred, prevented 
 any considerable progress in many, and in some entirely stopped the 
 operations. Consequently the Huacal of Bugaba had yielded nearly all 
 the golden images up to this date, which I have estimated could not 
 have been worth more than $50,000, This calculation is based upon 
 their metallic value merely, and not upon their fancied valuation as 
 curiosities. 
 
 The Huacal of Bugaba embraced an area of twelve acres, but was 
 divided into two sections — ^by a slight depression extending in an east- 
 and-west direction — in which not a single grave has been encountered. 
 This depression of the surface varied in width from eighteen to ten 
 yards, toward the east. The two sections were respectively five and 
 seven acres, and were located on slightly elevated eminences, about four 
 hundred yards from a small river, the course of which is northeast by 
 east at this point. The rise from the river banks to the Huacal is very 
 gradual, except at the noi'thern boundary, which is somewhat abrupt, 
 and around which the river turns towai'd the east. The general 
 direction of the Huacal is north and south ; and the greater portion of 
 the graves were found on the western and southenj slopes. There did 
 not appear a general regularity in the position of the Huacas, or graves, 
 but frequently there would occur several side by side. The distance 
 between the grave-pits varied from nine to fifteen inches at the more 
 
 5-3^20M^^;/,,,^ 
 
 1 
 
THE GEAVETAEDS OF CHIEIQUI. 5 
 
 crowded portions of the Huacal. The universal direction of the quad- 
 rangular Huacas is north and south by the polar star. 
 
 There are two forms of Huacas or graves — the oval and quadrangu- 
 lar ; and their mode of construction is an interesting matter for consid- 
 eration. I, with a small party of peons, examined carefully and system- 
 atically one of the former and several of the latter description ; and 
 besides, saw a large number of both varieties opened by parties in the 
 vicinity. The material uniformly employed in the construction of the 
 sepulcher proper was flat and rounded river stone. The oval grave-pits 
 were from four and a half to six feet deep, and from three to four feet in 
 their largest diameters. A wall of the rounded river stone, two and a 
 half to three feet high, lined the grave-pit at the bottom, after the man- 
 ner of a modern well. From the top of this wall to the surface the 
 entire area of the grave-pit was closely packed with rounded river stone. 
 Within the limits of the wall, which seemed to be the tomb proper, were 
 found principally the golden figures, and the vessels of pottery, etc. The 
 greater portion of the oval or circular Huacas were located in the 
 . northern and western sections of the burial-ground ; and, as a general 
 rule, yielded the most figures of gold and the finest specimens of pottery. 
 The relics in these were found usually at the eastern and northern sides ; 
 and the gold figures sometimes were located, -it is said, in the crevices 
 of the wall — but in no instance in the earthen jars associated with them. 
 The circular graves, being confined to the slopes of the Huacal, were 
 more or less covered by the wash from the elevated sections of the 
 Huacal, so that the top stones of the package were in many cases nearly 
 a foot beneath the surface. No vestige of the human body was discov- 
 ered in the oval Huacas ; but a black loam occupied the spaces between 
 the relics and the stone package. Occasionally earthen vessels were 
 found in the stone package near the surface. The quadrangular Huacas 
 were constructed in two modes. In one case the grave-pit was lined by 
 walls of rounded river stone about one third the distance to the surface ; 
 and from the top of these walls the entire area of the grave-pit was 
 closely packed with river stone, as yi the oval grave. Within the limits 
 of these walls, and in close proximity to the bottom of the grave-pit, 
 were found most of the relics contained in them. These Huacas were 
 larger and yielded more gold images and finer pottery than the other 
 variety of the quadrangular grave, and were in juxtaposition with the 
 oval graves, occurring interspersed with them in the northern and west- 
 ern sections of the Huacal, but abounding principally in the southern 
 portion of the ground. Some of these Huacas were nearly six feet deep, 
 especially those situated in the depressed sections of the Huacal, and the 
 area of the grave-pit measured frequently seven by four and a half feet. 
 
6. DE. meekitt's papee on 
 
 In these the relics were Tisually found near the hottom, at the northern 
 and southern extremities, and more or less on the eastern side. The 
 gold figures most frequently were located about one fourth of the dis- 
 tance from the head to the foot of the grave-pit, and in the medial line. 
 In these Huacas, also, earthen vessels were encountered in the stone 
 package near the surface, and generally at either extremity. 
 
 The other variety of the quadrangular Huaca, although poor in relics, 
 was more artistically and carefully constructed, and in a better state of 
 preservation ; for in many of them everything was encountered " in 
 situ." In these a vault existed, which was formed of flat river stone, 
 and was of the requisite size to contain a human body in the supine 
 position, so far as the length and brealdth are considered, but in the 
 height giving ample space for the introduction of the earthen relics. 
 These Huacas were located mostly on the more elevated portion of the 
 Huacal, and in the southern and eastern sections. A grave-pit had been 
 sunk about three feet deep and six and a half by four feet in area ; and 
 then a lesser pit, by eight to ten inches on all sides, was farther sunk to 
 the additional depth of about two feet. This smaller pit was lined by 
 flat stones placed edgewise, which were held in position by other flat 
 stones resting flatwise upon the upper edges of these and the surface of 
 the recess in the sides of the grave-pit. The floor of the vault was not 
 paved, but presented a hard, pebbly clay surface, with two depressions 
 frequently, one at either extremity, and corresp(3nding with tlie probable 
 positions of the occiput and the heels of the body. The cover to the 
 vault was composed of flat stones, quite closely adjusted, and sufficiently 
 overlapping the sides to be firm, and not liable to cave in from the 
 variations of position of the sides, consequent upon subsequent settlings 
 of the earth and stone from natural causes. From the cover of the 
 vault to the surface, the entire area of the grave-pit was closely packed 
 with river stone, somewhat larger than ordinary paving-stone. • In these 
 Huacas the relics were also found mostly in the vault, at the head and 
 foot, and on the east side. So far as my experience goes, earthen-ware 
 only was found in these, although I was told that a few had contained 
 the smaller gold figures. Specimens of pottery were encountered also in 
 these, at either extremity of the stone package, immediately above the 
 cover of the vault. The location of these vaulted Huacas, being the 
 more elevated section of the burial-ground, and the vaults also preserv- 
 ing their outlines, the stone package of most of them was slightly raised 
 above the general surface. A black loamy earth occupied all the graves 
 proper, or the original position of the body in it. 
 
 It would seem, from the facts I have stated, that the gold-bearing 
 graves were those which were ruder in their construction, and which 
 
THE GEAVEYAKDS OF CHIRIQiri. " 7 
 
 occupied, to some degree, a particular section of the Huacal, altliougli 
 the limits of this were not well defined. The golden ornaments were 
 not found in many successive Huacas, even at the richest points of the 
 Huacal. Pottery, however, was encountered more or less in every 
 Huaca. It is reported that in other Huacals, in the vicinity of Bugaha, 
 traces of human hair have been discovered; hut in those of Bugaha, 
 which I explored carefully, no such evidence of the body was encoun.- 
 tered. I have, however, the enamel of a molar -tooth, taken from a 
 grave in a Huacal, near that of Bugaha. 
 
 Most of the gold figures taken from the Huacas of Chiriqui were prob- 
 ably ornaments, worn by the person buried, and were suspend-ed about 
 the neck. There are, apparently, some exceptions to this. Circular 
 thin plates of fine gold were found, one surface of which uniformly 
 presented a worn appearance. They are all perforated by two holes, 
 about an inch and a half from each other and the margin. These holes 
 resemble the ragged puncture which would be produced by a modern 
 nail, driven from the worn side ; and there is no evidence of friction on 
 the edges of these apertures. Another gold figure resembles the iron 
 thimble used by riggers at the end of a rope, to which is attached a 
 ring or hook. In some Huacas have been found a great number of thin, 
 laminar pieces of fine gold, of various shapes, such as square, oblong, 
 triangular, and rhombic, which weighed from 5 to 30 grains, Troy. 
 
 The golden ornaments are, for the most part, representations of the 
 natural objects peculiar to that region. Many of them, however, are 
 grotesque and fantastical imitations and combinations of such objects, 
 and a few seem to be efforts of fancy or superstition. 
 
 Nearly all the golden figures are alloyed with copper, which was the 
 only metal used for such a purpose in this section, apparently. Some 
 of the better executed figures are scarcely more than eight or ten carats 
 fine. This alloy of the figures is artificial. The figures have been 
 "cast" generally, and some have been finished to their existing shapes 
 by subsequent beating. The largest golden figure, of high degree of 
 purity, found in the Huacal of Bugaba, weighed between eleven and 
 twelve ounces. The specimens of pottery found associated with the 
 goJd figures are generally larger and of a finer quality than in the other 
 Huacas. 
 
 To the antiquarian these possess a great interest, as they afford some 
 idea of the domestic habits and the degree of civilization attained by 
 that ancient people, of whose history we as yet know nothing. The 
 specimens which I have seen, and a few that I have brought from 
 Chiriqui, exhibit a high degree of advancement in the most difiicult art 
 of pottery — foi-ms as symmetrical and graceful as any- of classic or mod- 
 
8 DE. MEKRITT S PAPER. 
 
 ern dates. The glazing and painting of some are in a wonderful state 
 of preservation, the colors being bright and distinct ; and many are 
 entirely unaffected, in their composition, by the lapse of time. 
 
 There is a domestic utensil frequently occurring in the Huacas, worthy 
 of particular notice. It is the so-called corn-grinder, which seems to be 
 carved from stone. It most frequently bears a resemblance to a tiger, 
 with its body expanded to an oval tablet form, and its tail curved so as 
 to be connected with one of the posterior legs, which serves as a handle. 
 Another form, quite rare, is a circular tablet, supported by figures of 
 monkeys, arranged regularly in a circle, and standing upon a base ring, 
 the entire piece carved from a block of stone. There was a peculiar 
 fancy among* that people to introduce pellets of the same material into 
 cavities, where such might occur jjroperly in the molding of the various 
 articles of pottery, or of the gold figures. 
 
 The musical instruments made of clay are very curious, and evince 
 considerable cultivation in the musical art. They are of varied forms, 
 but principally the figures of birds and animals. 
 
 Arrow-heads and stone instruments, resembling hatchets, were found 
 associated in the same Huaca. 
 
 The existence of Huacals throughout the southern portion of the 
 Isthmus and Central America has been long known to the inhabitants ; 
 but, strange to say, I have not heard of any such burial-grounds on the 
 northern side of the Isthmus, from the lagoons of Ohiriqui to the vaUey 
 of the Ohagres — and where they would have been discovered by the 
 gold-seeker, who has been ransacking this section for more than 300 
 years. The locale of the Huacal appears to be the plain, valley, and 
 upland of the Pacific side of the Isthmus. 
 
 I have received intelligence that on an elevated plateau, called Bo- 
 quete, have been encountered Huacals in the forest, marked by large 
 pillars of stone, three feet above the surface, and some ten inches in 
 diameter. The pottery in these was very large and ponderous, and waa 
 so friable that no specimens of it could be taken out or carried without 
 crumbling to small fragments. 
 
BULLETIN" 
 
 AMERICAJf ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 April 17TH, i860. 
 
 On Tuesday evening, the April meeting was held at the residence of 
 the President, Hon. George Folsom, who occupied the chair. 
 
 Chiriqiti Relics. — A letter was received from Mr. Totten, chief engi- 
 neer of the Panama Eailroad Company at Aspinwall, April 2d, accepting 
 his appointment as a corresponding member, and promising to send more 
 curiosities from the Ohiriqui graveyards, particularly specimens of the 
 stone posts or columns which have recently been found in some of them, 
 porting the roofs. He writes : 
 
 " I was in error in stating that the images I sent you were the only 
 stone images discovered in Chiriqui. I was so informed ; but I have re- 
 cently seen small ones from, that locality, and also numerous stone arti- 
 cles, apparently household utensils, with figures of animals cut upon them, 
 showing that the art of working stone was known to the aborigines of 
 that country." 
 
 Danish Antiquities. — Lieut. -Col. W. D. Eaasloff, Charge d'' Affaires 
 for Denmark, took his seat as a member, and presented a collection of 
 ancient stone instruments, received from Professor Thompson, Director 
 of the Eoyal Museums of Copenhagen. They were taken from ancient 
 mounds, and were chiefly made of flint. The most highly finished is a 
 spear-head, or perhaps a poniard, 9 or 10 inches long. 
 
 Mr. E. also presented a collection of archgeological publications from 
 Denmark, and specimens of the beautiful new coins issued by his Gov- 
 ernment for circulation in their "W. Indies. They are of 1 cent, 5, 10, 
 and 20 cents, on the American decimal system. 
 
 On motion of Dr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Loosey (Austrian Consul- 
 General), the thanks of the Society were presented to Mr. Eaasloff and 
 Prof. Thompson. 
 
 The President spoke in terms of admiration of the extent,, value, and 
 beauty of the Danish museums, expressed regret that they should be so 
 far before us, in even American antiquities, for which they deserve high 
 
10 BTJLLETi:!f OF THE 
 
 praise. "We should be encouraged by their example, and we have a vast 
 field for exploration. 
 
 The President presented the two publications of the " Shanghai Liter- 
 ary and Scientific Society," published at Shanghai. 
 
 Arab Maktusceipt. — A letter was read from Louis Tappan, Esq., 
 accompanying an Arabic manuscript, of several pages, from Africa, pur- 
 porting to contain a history of the world, extracted from the Koran. 
 Mr. Gotheal reported that it was so, and evidently recently written by 
 some educated negro of Africa. It is on ruled, light blue paper, appar- 
 ently American. 
 
 The Isthmus. — Dr. Davis presented a letter from Mr. Hawes, of 
 Panama, with a map containing interesting answers to questions con- 
 cerning the Chiriqui graves. A law was passed by the Spanish, in 1542. 
 claiming all gold found in guacas (meaning graves), which abound in 
 Central America, New Granada, and Peru. He knows of no sculptured 
 rocks. Mounds are numerous on the Isthmus, and some large ; but none 
 have ever been opened, except one, which has recently been dug into, 
 and some pottery found. 
 
 A report on Gen. Herran's Chiriqui earthen relics, from the Committee 
 on Antiquities, described the twenty-five articles of which it consists : 
 nine tripods, ten vases, two small musical instruments, etc. The vessels, 
 like others, in the collections of Drs.' Davis and Merritt, are neatly and 
 sometimes very gracefully formed of clay, of different degrees of fineness, 
 few of them with any appearance of having been fused, some glazed with 
 an unknown substance, and painted, probably with metallic oxyds, 
 which it is desirable to have analyzed. Most of them are soon soaked 
 through by water ; but such as are glazed are water-tight. The uses of 
 most of them it is difficult to conjecture. Several bear resemblance to Eo- 
 man, Grecian, and Etruscan jars, figured by Monfaucon and others. One 
 is nearly like a diota, or Grecian two-eared one, among his specimens. 
 
 Dr. Davis remarked on the historical value of ancient pottery, and 
 said that the specimens from Chiriqui appear to have been molded upon 
 an imitation of vegetables, fruits, shells, or other common objects of the 
 country, and ornamented with imitations of native animals. In no in- 
 stance has he found any attempt to imitate anything foreign in pottery, 
 copper, or gold. The jars are aU formed by hand, with no mark of the 
 potter's wheel. He thinks the external and internal layers of clay, when 
 light colored, with a black stratum between them, must have been pen- 
 etrated and changed by the coloring matter applied, with or without the 
 size or varnish spread over them. 
 
 Dr. Merritt mentioned that the natives of the Isthmus now make their 
 .rn.de earthen utensils of a peculiar black earth, which gives them the 
 
ASaSKICAlSr ETHNOLOGICAI. SOCIETY. • 11 
 
 appearance of iron. Some of the ancient Ohiriqui jars appear to consist, 
 in part at least, of the same. The coloring matter of that clay is proba- 
 bly per-oxyd of iron. 
 
 Musical Insteuments. — Dr. Merritt read the report of the Committee 
 on the Ohiriqui Musical Instruments then exhibited. They are (all but 
 one) whistles or flageolets, roundish, or in the forms of birds or beasts, 
 from 1| to 4-2- inches diameter, with an. air-chamber, and from 1 to 4 
 finger-holes! The pitch and scales of these instruments were noted in 
 the report, and several peculiarities mentioned, distinguishing them as of 
 a different species from all others known in ancient and modern times. 
 The most perfect has three finger-holes to produce the notes ; A. G. F. 
 E. downward. A fourth finger-hole gives the semitones of these. By 
 a particular process, two three lower notes are obtained. A very dimin- 
 utive instrument, with two finger-holes, has a loose ball of baked clay in 
 its air-chamber, which, when moved, varies the notes. 
 
 DiFFEEENT MoDEs OP BuEiAL BY Ancient Eomans. — The President 
 requested Dr. Gajani to repeat what he had mentioned to him on this 
 subject ; and he remarked that, after much investigation, he was con- 
 vinced that some high Eoman families adhered to the modes of interment 
 practiced by their ancestors; those of native or Etruscan origin interring 
 the body, and those of Latin or Trojan descent (as they called it), burn- 
 ing it. The two races made their tombs and catacombs on opposite sides 
 of the Tiber. The tomb of the Scipios was originally on the Vatican 
 Hill, but removed across the river, where it has been discovered in 
 modern times. Dr. G. believes that none of the Etruscan vases ever 
 contained human, remains. They are not large enough, and nothing has 
 ever been found in any of them. They were probably mere ornaments, 
 This view is opposed to the long received opinion that all the Eomans, 
 for a time, interred their dead, and afterward universally adopted the 
 custom of burning them. The Julian family and that of the Scipios ap- 
 pear to have been of different races. Campana, who first entered the 
 tomb of the Scipios, afiirmed that he saw the form of a man's body on a 
 bier, which soon crumbled and disappeared under the effect of the air. 
 The bier, being of iron, remained. Six pounds weight of gold was found. 
 
 Judge Daly remarked, that he had seen marks of fire on some of the 
 remains in Etruscan tombs. Dr. G. replied, that these might have been 
 the contents of later tombs in the same place. 
 
 The Society were informed that the Legislature of the State of the 
 Isthmus have a bill before them for regulating the exploration of graves 
 in Ohiriqui, etc. An amendment was proposed by Governor Obaldia, 
 requiring licenses from the Government for short terms, and securing 
 proprietors of land from loss and damage. 
 
 / 
 
BXJLLETIlSr 
 
 AMERICAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 May 8th, i860. 
 
 This Society held their May meeting on the- 8th, at the residence 
 of the Treasurer, Alex. J. Cotheal, Esq., Hon. Geoege Folsom, the 
 President, in the chair. 
 
 Letters. — The Corresponding Secretary, E. Gr. Squier, Esq., read a 
 letter from Norton Shaw, Esq. Letters were also read from Judge 
 Charles P. Avery, of Flint, Michigan, consenting to prepare a paper ou 
 the antiquities of that State, and sending a report of the Michigan 
 Historical Society. From Lieutenant-Colonel EaaslofF (the Danish min- 
 ister), accompanying an old palm-leaf book from Tranquebar, a donation 
 from Councillor Thomsen, Director of the Danish Museums. From 
 Alexander S. Taylor, Esq., Monterey, California, to Mr. Cotheal, mention- 
 ing that he has obtained a grammar of the Nutsun language, and a large 
 vocabulary of that California Indian tribe ; also catechisms in languages 
 spoken at the missions of Soledad and San Antonio. The first he sent 
 to the Smithsonian Institute in 1856. The California Farmer com- 
 menced the publication of his series of articles on " Indianology" in 
 February last. 
 
 Donations were received from Charles F. Loosey, Esq. (Austrian 
 Consul-General), of the seven large volumes of the Imperial Royal 
 Geographical Society (from 1857 to '59), and three of the Imperial Royal 
 Geological Institution (from 1858 to '59), Dr. Weitenweber's pamphlets 
 on Arabian Coffee, on the Life and "Works of Dr. Mold, and on M. Fici- 
 nius's JDe Vita Studiosorum. 
 
 From Mr, Figaniere (Portuguese minister), two numbers of the Bulle- 
 tins and Annals of the Portuguese Ultramarine Council. From Rev. J. 
 L. Wilson, his pamphlet on the Slave Trade, and The Israelite Indeed 
 (monthly), froni the editors. 
 
 The Palm-Leaf Book, sent by Councillor Thomsen, contains about 
 200 thin strips, 1 inch wide and 16^ long, laid upon each other, and fas- 
 tened by two rods passing through them and also through two pieces of 
 
AJ'IEEICAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13 
 
 split canes. They are neatly written on both sides in very small Tamil 
 characters. A vote of thanks was passed to the donor. 
 
 Books Presented at the Apeil Meeting.— Mr. Eaasloff presented 
 the following : 
 
 1. Memoirs of the Eoyal Society of Northern Antiquaries for 1843 and 
 '44 ; a paper on the Construction of Halls of the Giants, in Denmark and 
 elsewhere, by the President of the above-mentioned Society, viz. : His 
 Majesty Frederic VII., King of Denmark, 1857. Lord Ellesmere's Guide 
 to Northern Archgeology, for the use of English readers. London, 1848. 
 Also several bulletins. 
 
 [Notices of these works, and also of the following, have been prepared 
 for some future meeting of the Ethnological Society.] 
 
 The Journal of the Northern Branch of the Eoyal Asiatic Society, 
 printed at Shanghai in 1859, and presented to this Society in April, by 
 Mr. Folsom, contains very interesting articles : 
 
 1. On Formosa, by Mr. Swinhoe, British Consul at Amoy. 
 
 2. On the first course of Physical Lectures ever delivered in Japan by 
 a foreigner. By Dr. Meerdervoort. 
 
 3. On Japanese Manners, Language, etc. By S. "W. "Williams, LL.D., 
 Secretary of the American Legation, and a member of the Ethnological 
 Society. 
 
 4. Musical Notation of the Chinese. By the Eev. Mr. Syle. The 
 Chinese express notes by nine characters, written, like their ordinary 
 words, in perpendicular columns downward. In alto is expressed by a 
 slight dash at the end of the character. 
 
 Formosa. — Mr. Swinhoe, British Consul at Amoy, mentions that 
 many Chinese, who reside on the coasts of Formosa, are remai-kably 
 hospitable and kind ; while a very numerous race of cruel savages, 
 inhabiting the mountains, are jealous and bloodthirsty. These often 
 wear only a strip of cloth, but carry swords and fine matchlocks. There 
 are some good roads, especially those leading to mines of coal and sul- 
 phur, which are worked by Chinese. Several villages were seen of 
 "tamed savages," who are very peaceable and friendly. These people 
 call a man Larrat^ woman Tarroogan^ son Wannak^ daughter Ree-ah, 
 water Lalom, head Ooroo^ etc. 
 
 " These domesticated savages," says Mr. S., " are exceedingly civil and 
 good-natured — far more so even than the Chinese, and showed us about 
 their tree-ensconced residences. Their houses are built oif the ground, 
 on posts, and have boarded floors. The women are far better off than 
 the wild, savage females, being neatly dressed, with ornamented head- 
 dresses. There is a foreign trade with the wild people, who exchange 
 rice for salt." 
 
14 BULLETIN OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 CuEiosiTiES FEOM MioEONESiA. — ^Mr. Gulick, of the Union Seminary; 
 presented, in the name of his brother, Dr. Gulick, of the Micronesian 
 Mission, a heavy adze, neatly made of some very large sea-shell, with a 
 wooden handle, for digging out canoes ; and specimens of woven articles 
 of dress, and ornaments of palm-leaf fiber. He gave very interesting 
 particulars of the modes of manufacture in different groups of islands, 
 contrasting the varieties of work and style, and showing the difference 
 between these and the tapa cloths of Polynesia. A specimen of coarse 
 tapa from Micronesia was strengthened by numerous long threads sewed 
 through it. Mr. Gulick was requested to communicate in writing the 
 new and interesting facts which he mentioned. 
 
 MiOEOJfEsiAN Languages. — Eeference was made to the recent publi- 
 cations by Dr. Gulick of " Notes on the Grammar of the Ponape Dialect 
 of Micronesia," as one of those gratifying late examples of able, labori- 
 ous, discriminating, analytical investigation of unwritten languages 
 which do so much honor to certain scholars and missionaries, and open 
 to the world surprising peculiarities, interesting in themselves, and in 
 comparison with the most cultivated tongues of modern and ancient 
 times. The Honolulu Friend^ in exhibiting some of the delicate pecu- 
 liarities in the speech of natives of Micronesian groups, declares that 
 they differ among themselves so much that they are unintelligible to 
 each other, and perhaps should be regarded as speaking, not dialects, but 
 distinct languages. 
 
 NuMEEous Tumuli is Cuba fiest Eepoeted by Me. Squiee. — ^Mr. 
 Squier, who has recently returned from Cuba, read a notice of tumuli 
 observed by him near the railroad from Havana to Oardenas, some- 
 times more than one hundred being in sight at once, amounting in all to 
 tliousands. They are of moderate size, and apparently sepulchral. He 
 has taken steps to j^rocure particular information regarding them, as 
 they have never been noticed by any writer. 
 
 
 Lb N '10