_Ancient Alms-Dishes_.--I have one of these dishes; diameter 1 foot 4-3/4 inches, and its height 1-1/2 inch. The centre is plain, without any device, and separated from the circle of inscription by a bold embossed pattern. The inscription is _Der infrid gehwart_, in raised (not engraved) capital letters, 1 inch long, repeated three times in the circle. Mine is a handsome dish of mixed metal; yielding, when struck, a fine sound like that of a gong. It has devices of leaves, &c. engraved on the broad margin, but no date. I have seen another such dish, in the collection of the late William Hooper, Esq., of Ross, part of which (and I think the whole of the under side) had been enamelled, as part of the enamel still adhered to it. In the centre was engraved the temptation in Eden; but it was without legend or date. P.H.F. _Why the American Aborigines are called Indians_.--I have often wondered how the aborigines of America came to be called Indians; and for a considerable time I presumed it to be a popular appellation arising from their dark colour. Lately, however, I fell in with a copy of _Theatrum Orbis Terrarum_. Antwerp, 1583, by Abraham Ortelius, geographer to the king; and, in the map entitled _Typus Orbis Terrarum_. I find America called _America, sive India Nova_. How it came to get {255} the name of _India Nova_ is of course another question, and one which at present I cannot answer. NORTHMAN. [Footnote 3: Fleming; banishing? from _fleme_, A.S. to banish.] [Footnote 4: "Helleflight," as given in the translation, p. 178.] * * * * * NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC. The arrangements for the _Exhibition of Works of Ancient and Mediaeval Art_ at the rooms of the Society of Arts in the Adelphi, are proceeding most satisfactorily. Her MAJESTY and PRINCE ALBERT have manifested the interest they feel in its success, by placing at the disposal of the Committee for the purposes of the approaching Exhibition a selection from the magnificent collection of such objects which is preserved at Windsor. Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, of 191. Piccadilly, will sell on Thursday next, and five following days, the extensive and valuable Library of a well known and eminent Collector; comprising some very early printed books of extreme rarity, numerous French, Spanish, and Italian early Romances, an extensive series of ancient Italian Books quoted by the _Academia della Crusea,_ ancient and modern Books of Travels, and Oriental Books and MSS.; amongst which latter are the original MSS. of the celebrated M. Jules de Klaproth. We have received the following Catalogues:--