The first two papers treat of the archæologic material, and its value for ascertaining the pre-historic life of the American race; the third, on its pretended affinities to Asiatic peoples. These are followed by two papers respectively on the Toltecs and Mound-Builders, setting aright, I hope, the position of these semi-mythical shapes in the culture-history of North America, maintaining that for neither do we have to call in as explanation migrations from Asia, Europe, Oceanica or Africa, as has so often been attempted. A REVIEW OF THE DATA FOR THE STUDY OF THE PRE-HISTORIC CHRONOLOGY OF AMERICA.[2] Early in this century the doubt was expressed by Alexander von Humboldt[3] whether it is philosophical to inquire into the origin of any of the human races or sub-species. Although he expressed this doubt with particular reference to the American race, I believe I am right in assuming that the hesitancy he felt in pushing inquiry so far should now diminish in view of new methods of research and a wider range of observations. We may not, in fact we shall not, be able to trace the American or any other sub-species directly back to its origin in place or time; but by reviewing all the data which have been offered in solution of such a problem, we may perceptibly narrow the question, and also estimate the relative value of the means proposed. It is to such a review, applied to the American race, that I now invite your attention. The data upon which theories of the antiquity, the genealogy and the affinities of this race have been constructed are varied. For convenience of treatment I shall class them under six heads. They are: I. _Legendary_, including the traditions of the native tribes and their own statements of their history. II. _Monumental_, where we have to do with those structures whose age or character seems to throw light on the question. III. _Industrial_, under which heading we may inquire as to the origin of both the useful and the decorative arts in the New World. IV. _Linguistic_, broaching the immense and important questions as to the diversity and affinities of languages. V. _Physical_, which takes into consideration the anatomic and morphologic peculiarities of the American race; and finally, VI. _Geologic_, where its position in the geologic horizons is to be determined, and the influence upon it of the physical geography of the continent.