According to the account given by Labillardiere, confirmed by the information given by Mr. Hekmeyer, the figures are often craunched by women and children, to the latter of whom they serve as dolls, toys, and even money-boxes, as shown by the slits formed in the upper part of the larger objects, which are usually hollow.

We have not sufficient documents to carry us back to the origin of that tradition that would have it that the human form has been given to certain food preparations from remote times.  Savants will not be slow to see in this a vague relic of the horrible festivities that succeeded human sacrifices among primitive peoples.  For want of prisoners and of designated victims, a symbolic representation would have gradually developed, and been kept up, though losing its religious character.  We merely call brief attention to this obscure problem, not having the pretension to solve it.—­Revue d’Ethnographie.

* * * * *

THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY.

Terms of Subscription, $5 a Year.

Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to subscribers in any part of the United States or Canada.  Six dollars a year, sent, prepaid, to any foreign country.

All the back numbers of THE SUPPLEMENT, from the commencement, January 1, 1876, can be had.  Price, 10 cents each.

All the back volumes of THE SUPPLEMENT can likewise be supplied.  Two volumes are issued yearly.  Price of each volume, $2.50, stitched in paper, or $3.50, bound in stiff covers.

COMBINED RATES—­One copy of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN and one copy of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT, one year, postpaid, $7.00.

A liberal discount to booksellers, news agents, and canvassers.

MUNN & CO., Publishers,

361 Broadway, New York, N.Y.

* * * * *

PATENTS.

In connection with the Scientific American, Messrs. MUNN & Co. are Solicitors of American and Foreign Patents, have had 42 years’ experience, and now have the largest establishment in the world.  Patents are obtained on the best terms.

A special notice is made in the Scientific American of all inventions patented through this Agency, with the name and residence of the Patentee.  By the immense circulation thus given, public attention is directed to the merits of the new patent, and sales or introduction often easily effected.

Any person who has made a new discovery or invention can ascertain, free of charge, whether a patent can probably be obtained, by writing to MUNN & Co.

We also send free our Hand Book about the Patent Laws, Patents, Caveats.  Trade Marks, their costs, and how procured.  Address

MUNN & CO., 361 Broadway, New York.

Branch Office, 622 and 624 F St., Washington, D.C.