INTRODUCTION. 



While on an exploring expedition in South America in 1891-92, 

 on behalf of the Department of Ethnology of the World's Columbian 

 Exposition, I learned of a rich find which had recently been made at 

 La Plata Island, Ecuador. Having concluded my explorations in 

 Peru I set out for Guayaquil. There I met General Manuel Flores, 

 commander-in-chief of the Ecuadorian army, who had made a partial 

 exploration of the island. He had discovered by chance, through 

 the agency of a lighthouse keeper, one grave that had yielded 

 about twenty-five ounces of gold ornaments and utensils which had, 

 most unfortunately for science, been converted into bullion. He had 

 also made a second exploration but without success. So firmly con- 

 vinced, however, was he that a rich deposit of gold was to be found 

 on the island, that he very readily consented to assist me in making a 

 visit to the island, it being understood that for his share of the equip- 

 ment General Flores was to receive currency to the amount of one- 

 half the commercial value of whatever gold or silver might be found. 

 The expedition consisted of ten soldiers of the Ecuadorian army, 

 who were to do the excavating, and Thomas McKinley, my assistant. 

 The government gun-boat Tungarauhua, under command of Captain 

 Romero, was placed at my disposition. 



I wish to take this, my earliest opportunity, to make public 

 acknowledgment of my indebtedness to General Flores and to Cap- 

 tain Romero for their uniform courtesy, and for their many expressions 

 of sympathy with the aims of my expedition. 



All of the material referred to in this paper is on exhibition in the 

 Field Columbian Museum. 



251 



