Since the publication, in 1891, of Mindeleff's maps and descriptions of five ruined pueblos along the rim of Antelope Mesa, the Jeddito Valley in the Hopi Reservation, northeastern Arizona, has been known as an interesting archaeological area. Subsequent short field trips by Fewkes, Russell, Hough, Kidder, the Cosgroves, Gladwin, Morris, and Hargrave have furnished further information about the large sites, called attention to the great number of small sites, and emphasized the archaeological importance of the region as a melting pot in which were blended elements of cultures and probably peoples from many directions. San Juan, Little Colorado, and Puerco met here; the San Francisco Mountains are within sight to the west, and a Rio Grande tongue is still to be heard on the Hopi mesas.

Archaeological research in the Mississippi Valley during the past decade, although a map illustrating the areas intensively worked would have an exceedingly spotted appearance, and programs of study have been hardly more than superficial anywhere, has resulted in more clearly defining many of the problems for that field, and in marked progress toward the solution of a few of the more simple problems. Perhaps the most important advances made are in relation to such final preliterate manifestations as are classified under the Upper Mississippi Phase. Certainly, relatively small headway has been made in the general field of the Woodland Pattern.

During his recent field work in south-central Canada, Professor A. Irving Hallowell obtained from Mr. W. H. Rand, Keeper of the Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, a sample series of potsherds from several localities in the valley of the lower Red River, north of the city of Winnipeg. This material is said to have been collected on the surface and in one instance, at Lockport, in presumably archaeological (occupational?) deposits. Through the kindness of Dr. Hallowell I have examined the sherds from the standpoint of technology.

When Mr. McKern wrote to suggest that I might wish to add a word to the discussion of those cultures which may show some indications of Old World contacts, my first impulse was to burst out with a long list of analogies in support of such an hypothesis. After thinking it over, however, I realized that this had often been done in the past without success, and it occurred to me that it might be more pertinent to try to explain how one diffusionist has reached his present estate, and what symptoms to look for in a person who has been subjected to this form of contagion.

Previously I have attempted to show that we lack, almost completely, archaeological data from large and apparently significant areas in New England. It is true also that the excavation and research which has been done to date is very incomplete. I regret to say, in addition, that a number of inaccuracies and important omissions have produced results, particularly in the development of theories, which are extremely untrustworthy. A reworking of the available data and an investigation of the foundations of the various theories have brought to light a number of important facts and have made necessary several radical changes in the theoretical history of the region.

Two small collections of shells obtained from Maya ruins in British Honduras have recently come to hand, and it has been thought worth while to record the species found, both from a conchological and archaeological viewpoint. When shells are found in archaeological sites, their classification and correlation of original habitats often permit interesting deductions to be made concerning trade routes or relations.

The first set was collected by Dr. Thomas Gann from a crystal burial mound near Rio Hok Skum. The locality is near Corozal in the northern part of British Honduras and about thirty miles from the boundary of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Celebrating its one hundred and twenty-fifth birthday, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia assembled a remarkable scientific congress in that city, from Wednesday, March 17, until late Saturday, March 20, 1937. Rarely, if ever, in the history of American natural science has there been such a happy combination of scientific discussion, presentation of new evidence, and the gathering of exhibits, all bearing on the worldwide problem of man's origin and early development. Even more appreciated was the unlimited hospitality of the Academy which transmuted what might have been merely a stimulating scientific symposium into a gracious international social event.