New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27

I'm regard to the relics found In the Trentoa
gravel. II appears TO me that the wisest thing 10
do Is to suspend judgment for while ! DO not
think Il unreasonable TO expect other discov'
cries Of n similar character elsewhere on this
continent. II would not be safe TO consider this
the only possible deposit OF its kind We
may yet find much evidence Of glacial man IL
America
CULTURE PHENOMENA"
That which distinguishes man from the rp'S
lower order Of animals is his power OF speech
and his use OF implements Hence the anthro-
pologist. In his researches. looks for the TOOLS
traditions and language OF living and extinct
tribes. This is the material on which We base
our conclusions The distribution OF tales among
the races is an important phase Of human cult
ure which we study with care. In fact. culture
phenomena are highly significant Nevertheless,
they do not always prove that one tribe or ma
ton is descended from closely related 10 an
other Ideas are often communicated by the
contact Of two very different peoples and they
sometimes arise independently in different
tribes"
The expedition which visited British Columbia
last summer and fail brought tack an immense
collection Of masks employed in ceremoniaIs'
household articles and relics obtained from pur-
ial places These have now been arranged IN
cases on the ground floor Of the north wing OF
the American Museum Of Natural History, and
form splendid addition to the nucleus afforded
by the Emmons collection and Pcary anthro-
biological exhibit The British Columbian Indians
differ in several respects from the Alaskan
tribes. Among the articles brought back last
year were carved clubs II bone or antler copper
ear and hair ornaments and skeletons.
grotesque feature OF the collection is lot
OF masks used by the Bella Coda Indians in
some Of their ceremonies. and associated with
their religion These are Of wood carved deco
rated in curious designs with color and Some
times representing an animal or bird The Bella
Coolas believe in a number OF deities who live
In a house located in the zenith. and when -
called the House Of Myths. Their chief is the
zone who must be wOrshipped,' the sun. HIS
brothers and sisters assist him in ruling the
world. They do not directly Interfere with the
destin.cs Of mankind. but their thought is put
into execution by four brothers. who are called
collectively the worl.mon. These latter are en-
titled He who finishes his work by striking
once" He who finishes his work by rubbing
once" He who finishes his work by splitting
once" at Iu'itlulak.
Among the other masks from Bella Cooa are
an eagle head and wolf head worn 10y the Can
nibal Dancers 1t IS explained that. according
to the mythology Of this locality, the desire for
human flesh IS produced by an animal spirit,
who is supposed to possess the dancer AT the
end Of the ceremonial the dancer IS restored 70
his senses by exercising The animal. which Is
then shown to the public. The body OF the ami
nal is made up Of skins The dancer holds its
head under his left arm Then the assistants
squeeze out Of its mouth a mixture Of flesh and
blood. making the unntiated believe that the
carnibal is dissorging human flesh eaten hy him.
other masks are worn by the Fool Dancers.
whose members. during ,hcir moments Of &C.
stasy are possessed II desire t. destroy prop
crty. They are supposed 20 he initiated IN
heaven These and other items N the Jesup
anthropologcal collection are interesting from
a popular point If view. but their real sign.d-
canoe is appreciated Of course, only by experts.