Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 43.djvu/636

Rh chert diggings of Flint Ridge, Ohio; the rhyolite quarry of Pennsylvania; and the quarry of flint nodules in Texas. These all differ from Piney Branch in that the material is quarried from solid rock ledges, not from soft gravels. The quarrying of soapstone in the District of Columbia and the making of it into bowls, the mining of copper in the Lake Superior district, and the taking out of the famous red pipestone from the quarry in Minnesota are all illustrated in the same complete fashion. As a representation of an important and interesting aboriginal industry nothing could be better.

The anthropologist finds two collections of interest in the Woman's Building. In a dozen cases Prof. Mason shows "woman's work in savagery." The development of personal decoration, the preparation and serving of food, the making of basketry and matting, embroidery and needlework, beating of bark cloths, weaving by hand frames and looms, dressing of leather, and pottery-making are the chief points represented. The fact that woman has been the chief actor in originating and developing every peaceful art is impressively shown. By the side of this series is Mrs. French-Sheldon's collection. Every one knows of this woman's exploration of East Africa. With no white companions, with an escort of hired porters and guides under no command but her own, she penetrated a thousand miles into Africa, among tribes some of which, like the Masai, were on a war footing. She has brought out from the dark continent thousands of objects illustrative of the daily life, the arts, and culture of the natives, and here one may see them displayed as a monument of a remarkable undertaking. Fine shields, carefully leaf-shaped spear-heads of iron, objects of personal adornment, native dress, wood carving—these are but a few of the many objects. Mrs. French-Sheldon herself is frequently in attendance, and proves as much of an attraction as the collection.

The student of culture-history must find objects of interest everywhere, frequently where one would scarcely expect them. Thus the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad makes a wonderful exhibit, under the title of The World's Railway. A magnificent series of pictures, models, and original specimens illustrate the whole history of the development of the locomotive, the cars, and the tracking. In the Shoe and Leather Building colored pictures and many wall cases full of specimens show the footwear of all ages and all peoples.

At Paris one of the most attractive features was the representation of outlandish peoples. At Chicago the Midway Plaisance supplies the opportunity to see many strange sights. The German village and Old Vienna are true architectural reproductions. The Chinese theater and its temple annex, with the native