ETHNOLOGY. 



Hints for Ethxological Inquiry. 



Inquiries of this description liave tlic two-fold object of ascertaining 

 the present condition of these tribes and their past history. Although 

 both branches of tiie investigation have of course a mutual bearing 

 upon each other, yet the former has more of a practical, the latter 

 more of a scientific character ; the former is comparatively easy, the 

 latter environed with difficulties. In examining into the numbers, 

 physical and mental characteristics, and actual condition of the Indian 

 tribes, we are accumulating data for beneficent, legislative, and philan- 

 thropic action in their behalf. The work, moreover, is a mere matter 

 of observation, to be accomplished with the requisite expenditure of 

 time and labor to almost any degree of minute accuracy that may be 

 desired. On the contrary, any reliable knowledge of ante-Columbian 

 events, that is now attainable, can, from the nature of things, be only 

 general in its character, and tlie fruit of laborious induction from the 

 comparison of many diverse particulars. As none of the tribes of this 

 continent, not even the most advanced, ever arrived at the grand and 

 fruitful idea of an alphabetic character for commemorating their 

 thoughts and deeds, almost their entire history previous to the advent 

 of Europeans is left a mysterious blank. To ascertain, if possible, the 

 origin of the aboriginal population of this portion of our globe, to trace 

 the migrations and conquests of the various nations that composed it 

 from one part of the continent to another, to disclose their supersti- 

 tions, their manners and customs, their knowledge of the arts of war 

 and peace — in short, to place before us a moving panorama of America 

 in the olden time — such is the purpose which the scientific ethnologist 

 has in view, and to accomplish which he neglects no source of infor- 

 mation that promises to cast even a single ray of light into the obscu- 

 rity with which the subject is surrounded. 



Names of tribes. — In addition to the name by which a tribe calls 

 itself, it is desirable to ascertain those which are given to it by sur- 

 rounding tribes, together with the literal meaning of each name. 



Geograplucal liosition. — Give as accurately as may be the size of the 

 territory, whether mainland or island, belonging to each tribe; its 

 climate, soil, and general character; also its animal, vegetable, and 

 mineral productions. 



Number. — What is the number of individuals in the tribe ? State, 

 if you can, the number of adult males, females, and children respeo- 



