Though we have gained so little from our researches, this little, however, we hope may incite others to extend their investigations, and thus render the path clearer which we have tried to explore into this field of prehistoric industry. The most substantial proofs and contributions may be expected from our fellow-students in Mexico. They dwell upon the ground which was the scene of this ancient industry. They are also in a continuous contact with a numerous indigenous race, which despite of European attempts to improve their working facilities, still tenaciously cling to their old usages and fashions. Our Museums are overcrowded with Mexican idols, pottery, and flint arrow-heads. One specimen of an ancient tin-borer, one of a copper axe or hoe, or of a bronze chisel would be counted as a very welcome and valuable acquisition. ----- Footnote 1: _A. v. Humboldt_, Essai s. 1. Nouv. Espagne, Tome III., Livre 4, Chap. ii. _W. H. Prescott_, History of the Conquest of Mexico, Book I., Chap. 5. _Brasseur de Bourbourg_, Hist. d. Nat. Civ. du Mexique, Livre III., Chap. 7, pag. 678. Footnote 2: _Carta (2da) de relacion_, por _Fernando Cortes_, de la villa Segura de Frontera desta Nueva España, á 30 de Octubre de 1520 años “donde hay todos los generos de mercaderias, que en todas las tierras se hallan, asi de mantenimientos como de vituallas, joyas de oro y de plata, de plomo, de _laton_, de _cobre_, de _estano_, de piedras, de huesos, etc.” Footnote 3: _Bernal Diaz de Castillo_, Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nuevo España, Madrid, 1632, I. Vol., Cap. 92, “y vendian hachas de laton, y cobre y estaño.” The meaning of this passage is, beyond all misinterpretation: He saw for sale bronze axes, and besides pieces of copper and others of tin. The order, in which these three words stand, conveys a suggestion that we should not wholly ignore. The word _laton_ (bronze) is followed by _cobre_ (copper) and _estano_ (tin), the two well known components of bronze. Might not the relative position of the three words teach that, to them, bronze was the most important metal and was therefore assigned the first place, mentioning the copper and tin afterwards as the elements from which the bronze was made? We might also go farther and inquire how the first metal came to be recognized by them as bronze. In framing a reply, let us consider three possible explanations. Let us suppose, first, that they knew the bronze well enough to recognize it at once. They, further, may have entertained doubts as to its identity, but finally have been led to this conclusion by seeing the copper and tin exhibited in the stalls, together with the bronze. Thirdly, we may also suppose, that they would desire to obtain more positive confirmation and therefore have inquired and learned from their native guides that this bronze was actually a composition of the two other metals before them.