Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-10-08

"h'eh eo'h'heHeeu at hiodhy 10y s's~t'oay
the 18th ult.
Although we cannot do more than to give a
condensed review Of the most striking, origin
al and interesting subjects presented to the
consideration of the Convention, yet we deem
it proper to state. as briefly as possible, the
general design and object of the Association
whose importance, in advancing the scientific
Knowledge, and consequently, as we think, the
reputation Of our country, was forclbly dwelt
upon by Prof Agassis, the President elect, on
taking the chair. 1t is true We cannot SO read
lily see the difference which the learned Professor
pointed out as existing between this advance.
ment of science and the diffusion Of knowl-
edge The former, he said, and not the latter
being the object of the Association: but rather
disposed to look upon diffusion as the neutral
consequence, ;,s well as cause, of advancement
which conclusion will, we think become evil
dent before we end our account of the proceed
ings ofthe Convention, provided, of course, that
its members make any additions to science,
calculated to further its progress In his re-
marks, the Professor al o adverted to the want
Of scientific works of reference adapted to this
country, and advised the Association to exert
its entire means to procure text books, and to
establish museums in different localities, which
should embrace all objects interesting to sci
entifc men, which could be found in their i'm
mediate vicinity. BY this means, he said, a
foundation would be laid for a general and com
prehensivc museum of the country. This we
consider very excellent idea; and cordially
join in the hope of a contemporary, that it will
be acted upon We are not so sure, however
that the Professors condemnation of foreign
books will be generally received with favor by
scientific students, although the reason giver
may be good one,-namely, that the forma
tons and animal creations Of the Old World
are, in many respects, quite different from
those of the New Indeed; the worthy Presi
dent Of the Association seems. DESTROYS that i
should make its scientific Announcements entire
ly independent of all foreign influences, rec
ommending the members to stand upon thei
own doings, without appealing to Europe 70
the truth of their theories, which they certain,
need not if they prove them.
ANCIENT CLorH TAKEN FROM THE MOUNDS O
onIo.-Of the seven papers read on the openin;
day. he most Interesting was that by Mr.. Eos
ter, U, S. Geologist, describing samples of an
cieut Goth taken from the mounds of Ohio
We give an abstract.
In 1888, Mr.. Foster procured from residen
of Charlestown, Jackson Co, Ohio, sevcra
,f a. al 4 =. L.
vicinity. They were found near the bottom
enveloping several copper rings and We're great
ly decayed; though some were sufficiently pre-
served to evidence their having been WOVEN
Fearing deception or error, Mr. Foster refrain
ed from making public at that time fact S,
novel in itself, and SO repugnant to prevailing
ideas as to the degree of civilization possessed
by the mound-buildcrs; but having lately re
ceivcd from Mr. John Woods, Of Ohio, a gen
tleman high in Office, and of unquestionabl,
veraciy, additional samples. accompanied by
descriptive letter, all doubt as to the prophet,
of publishing the discovery is removed Ii
his letter, Mr.. Woods states that fragments o
charred cloth, together with an arrow and
were taken from mound on the western banl
Of the Great Miami River, two miles north o
Middletown, Butter Co., Ohio, during some ex
cavations rendered necessary in constructor,
the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton railroad
The mound was originally twenty feet high
and, fifty years ago, was covered with large for
est trees About ten feet from its surface Their
was compast layer offine; red, and apparent
ly burned clay, about an inch thick; under
meath which. near the middle of the mound
was another layer of fine, cream colored clay
differing from any in the neighborhood I'm
der this latter, the charcoal, cloth and bone
We're found. The bones were few and small :
Little earth was mixed with the coal and clotl
which evidently remained as they had bee
placed when burned and covered up TIL
charcoal appeared to be on the outside of tn
clo;h, which was frequently in folds of Ia
dozen thickuesses. The layers of burned an
cream-colored clay did not occupy but abou
five or six square feet of the mound As to til
period when the charcoal and cloth were dc
p"sited in the mound, the only question occu,
erected by former race may not have bee
made burial -palce by the Indians living her
when America was discovered Thinking ,
this question while at the mound, he was care
full toexamine the condition of the earth aroun
and above the relics, and came to tho concll
sion that 1t conld no; have been disturbed afte
it was placed in the mound. On this questio
Mr.. Foster further remarks, that there is n
evidence that the North American Indian
possessedsthe art of spinning and weaviD
when first known to the whites; consequently
they never possessed it; for an art SO usefu
wher once acquired, would no, be lost. Ths
the Goth was obtained from Europeans by tn
Indians and then placed in the mound, at
comparatively recent period, is improbabe Il
ihefollowing reasons:-The layers of earth SUI
rounding it were undisturbcd it's material, be