OUR knowledge of North American Archaeology is derived mainly from four excellent memoirs published under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution:—1. Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, comprising the. Results of extensive Original Surveys and Explorations; by E. G. Squier, A.M., and E. H. Davis, M.D. 2. Aboriginal Monuments of the State of New York, comprising the Results of Original Surveys and Explorations, with an illustrative Appendix; by E. G. Squier, A.M. 3. The Antiquities of Wisconsin, as surveyed and described by J. A. Lapham. 4. The Archaeology of the United States, or Sketches, Historical and Biographical, of the Progress of Information and Opinion respecting Vestiges of Antiquity in the United States; by Samuel F. Haven. There are, indeed, several other memoirs which we ought perhaps to have added to our list, especially one by Mr. Caleb Atwater, who, according to Messrs. Squier and Davis, “deserves the credit of being the pioneer in this department.” His researches form the first volume of the Archæologia Americana, which was published in 1819, and contains plans and descriptions of many ancient works. Nor must we omit to mention Schoolcraft's “History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States.”

The memoir by Messrs. Squier and Davis, occupying more than three hundred pages, is chiefly descriptive of ancient fortifications, enclosures, temples and mounds, and of the different implements, ornaments, etc., which have been obtained from them. It is embellished with forty-eight plates, and no less than two hundred and seven woodcuts.