NOTE 



At the time of his death on September 26, 1927, Dr. Immanuel 

 Moses Casanowicz had completed the work herewith, embodying the 

 results of his study of religions comprehending the historic cults of the 

 world. Doctor Casanowicz, on account of his education and native 

 ability, was singularly equipped to follow out this line of research. 

 Born in Russia in 1853, he was set apart by his parents to be the 

 scholar of the family and received as a youth what was considered 

 essential instruction. 



In quest of a wider field, he traveled to Switzerland, and in Basel, 

 Switzerland, completed the course in the Evangelische Predigerschule 

 where he became a teacher. Coming to the United States, he taught 

 in the German Theological School in Bloomfield, N. J. Entering 

 Johns Hopkins University for higher studies, he received a Ph.D. in 

 1892. 



In that year he became identified with the newly founded division 

 of oriental studies in the United States National Museum. The plan 

 of the division was outlined by Dr. Paul Haupt, and the division was 

 under the direct supervision of Dr. Cyrus Adler. For a number 

 of years Doctor Casanowicz assisted in the work of this division until 

 1906, when he was appointed assistant curator of Old World arche- 

 ology, which place he held until his death. 



His portrait most appropriately forms the frontispiece of this 



volume. 



in 



