REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 61 



ports of remains farther south, extending into the neighborhood of Zuiii. 

 These reports were confirmed by statements of Mormons from that 

 vicinity. These men also gave accounts of numerous pueblo remains in 

 the region southwest of Zuiii, near the headwaters of the Little Colo- 

 rado, in and about Eouud Valley. 



November 1, Mr. Mindeleff reached Canon de Chelley. A closely 

 detailed meander survey was made of the caiion, with its network of 

 branches, as also of a small neighboring canon containing ruins, not 

 heretofore visited. This plot was made on a large scale to admit of 

 showing the relation of the position of the ruino to the arable land and 

 other topographic features. 



The lateness of the season and short supplies (for one month's stay) 

 made it necessary to devote nearly all of the time to exploring, mapping 

 and securing plans and sketches of the ruins. Some excavations, how- 

 ever, were made, and interesting textile remains, such as rugs, sandals, 

 and cordage of yucca fiber and cedar bark, were found. 



The number of ruins found was far beyond what was expected, about 

 one hundred and thirty-five ruin-sites having been noted. 



In exploring branch canons many ruins of large extent were observed, 

 some of them containing several large circular chambers with very thick 

 massive walls beautifully finished inside with smooth coats of cement, 

 and sometimes with a decorative band near the floor. In one case the 

 drawing was very skillfully executed in red paint on a white ground, 

 very similar in character to designs found on ancient pottery. These 

 larger ruins are not nearly so well preserved as the small ones. They 

 have evidently been the principal dwellings of the ancient people of 

 this region, and seem to have been visited with a destruction which the 

 more insignificant cliff outlooks have escaped. 



On finishing the work in Canon de Chelley, a trip was made to the 

 pueblo of Acoma. A representative collection of modern ware was se- 

 cured, composed principally of large jars, small vessels being compar- 

 atively rare at this pueblo. Very few specimens of ancient pottery 

 were found here. 



During intervals of collecting, a survey and a plan of Acoma were 

 made for the preparation of a model similar to those of Zuiii and the 

 Moki villages. 



Explorations at Zufii. — In August, 1882, Mr. F. H. dishing proceeded 

 to the Seneca Iroquois Keserve, in Western New York, with the Zuiii 

 Indians who had accompanied him on his Eastern trip. Here he visited 

 the Senecas of Tonawanda, learning important and obscure facts rela- 

 tive to their social and more especially their "Medicine" organizations. 

 In the latter he found evidence of a society of "medicine priests" func- 

 tionally identical with a similar organization among the Ziiiiis, the latter 

 being that of the K&'-M-thla na Kwe or " Grand-Mediciue-Dauce Society." 



Proceeding thence, he ariived at Zuiii, ]ST. M., on the 23d of Sep- 

 tember. Here, during the month of October, he resumed note-taking, 



