PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 135 



Mountains during the past summer, where he discovered a section 

 6,700 feet in thickness of rocks that had never been studied. Much 

 new material was secured for the collections. 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 



The researches of the Bureau of American Ethnology during the 

 past year have been directed to a study of the Indian languages, 

 especially of those that are rapidly becoming extinct; and a deter- 

 mination of native American food resources, textiles, and other ma- 

 terials which were used by the Indians, some of which, like the potato 

 and Indian corn, were long ago adopted by the white man. The 

 bureau also studied the prehistoric records of the Indians, and a 

 concrete example is illustrated by results of archeological investiga- 

 tions pursued at the Mesa Verde National Park in conjunction with 

 the Department of the Interior, where in continuation of the work 

 of previous years, there has been excavated and repaired a large ruin 

 known as Square Tower House. The age of this ruin can not be de- 

 termined, but it was deserted before the beginning of the fifteenth 

 century A. D. 



NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



Attendance. — Although the attendance for the last fiscal year 

 reached nearly 2,000,000, there is every indication that this year's 

 record will exceed all previous years, as over 900,000 persons have 

 visited the park since July 1. 



Recent accessions. — Among the most important accessions recently 

 received may be mentioned a Brazilian brocket, one of the smallest 

 of South American deer, presented by Mrs. Lindon W. Bates; a 

 white-backed trumpeter, the first of its kind to be exhibited at the 

 park, brought by the American consular agent at Manaos, Brazil, 

 Mr. Edward B. Kirk ; a number of new varieties of ducks, and a very 

 rare species of cassowary. Many European birds have also been 

 received. Births since July 1 include a llama, tahr, elk, yak, Indian 

 antelope, and two" great red kangaroos. 



Baby elephants. — During the year an opportunity presented itself 

 to secure two young Sumatran elephants, which were in quarantine 

 in New York. They were held at $2,500 each, and, as no Government 

 funds were available, Mrs. Charles D. Walcott undertook to secure 

 $5,000 by private gifts. Sixty-nine subscriptions, amounting to 

 $5,025 were obtained, and the elephants are now on exhibition at 

 the park. 



NEW BUSINESS. 



Charles Lang Freer. — The secretary announced the death, in New 

 York City on September 25, 1919, of Charles Lang Freer, aged 63 



