Jan., 1920. Annual Report of the Director. 311 



and not a man could find in his heart to speak ill of him. " Subsequently, 

 he received an invitation from the Emperor of China to come to Peking, 

 where he spent a year in one of the Lama temples, highly honored by the 

 whole country. In 1780 he died a mysterious death, at the age of 

 forty-two, officially of small-pox, but more probably of poison ad- 

 ministered by imperial jealousy and disapproval of his intercourse with 

 the EngHsh. Technically his image is a masterpiece and the finest 

 specimen of cloisonne in the Institution. The background is yellow to 

 indicate the robe of imperial yellow silk conferred upon the hierarch 

 by the Emperor. The designs woven in this robe are all skillfully brought 

 out by the process of inlaid enamels and represent the eight Buddhistic 

 emblems of happy augury, — canopy, wheel of the law, conch, umbrella, 

 lotus, vase, knotted cords, and double fish. The mitre is decorated 

 with two red dragons soaring in clouds. The pedestal is ornamented in 

 front with two Hons in green, playing with a ball, and two dragons piir- 

 suing the flamed pearl; two elephants bearing tribute-gifts are shown on 

 the sides, and three lotus-blossoms decorate the back of the base. Face 

 and hands are gilt. Both composition and coloration are dignified and 

 harmonious, and the statue conveys an excellent characterization of 

 this historically interesting Grand Lama. Mr. Edward E. Ayer 

 remembered the Department during the winter spent on the Pacific 

 Coast, and a collection of six excellent krises, five from the Moham- 

 medan Moro of the PhiHppines and one of Borneo manufacture, prob- 

 ably from the Kenyah or Kayan, is due to his generosity. The Borneo 

 blade is beautifully chased and inlaid with brass, while the ivory handle 

 is decorated with elaborate carvings. Three of the PhiHppine knives 

 have wavy blades, and two are of the straight blade variety. In the 

 latter group is a specimen of particular interest, because it is inlaid with 

 a conventionalized floral pattern next to the hilt. A feather head-band 

 used in the white-deer dance of the Indians of California, a good stone 

 mortar with pestle, and a metate with muller, used by a child, were like- 

 wise presented by Mr. Ayer. His further contribution during the year 

 is a Sioux woman's beaded dress of buckskin, taken by the late Lieut. 

 Frederick Schwatka of the 3rd Cavalry from the village of the hostile 

 Sioux chief, American Horse. This sleeveless, one-piece dress is probably 

 imique owing to the large quantity of pink beads displayed over the back 

 and breast extending onto the arms. This feature, together with its 

 extraordinary state of preservation, makes it a museum specimen of 

 the first order and now rarely encountered. A very unusual and 

 beautifiil ancient slate carving of the Haida on Queen Charlotte 

 Islands, B. C, likewise obtained by Lieut. Schwatka at Victoria, 

 B. C, in 1 89 1, was presented by Mr. Martin A. Ryerson. It is a master- 



