22 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



by Mr. Gatscbetweretall aiul thin, some of them with fairer complexions 

 than the Mexicans. Snbseqneiitly the Cotoname language, formerly 

 spoken in the same district, was studied and found to be a distantly 

 related dialect of Comecrudo. Both of them belong to the Coahuilte- 

 cau family. From the Comecrudo Mr. Gatschet obtained the names of 

 a number of extinct tribes who formerly lived in their vicinity, but of 

 whom no rei:>resentatives are left. These are the Casas Chiquitas, Te- 

 joues (or "raccoons"), Pintos or Pakawas, Miakkan, Cartujanos. Mr. 

 Gatschet next visited the Tlaskaltec Indians, who live in the city of Sal- 

 tillo. Of these Indians about 200 still speak their own language, which 

 is almost identical with the Aztec, although largely mixed with Spanish. 

 Mr. Josiah Curtin was engaged from the middle of March to June 1 

 in completing investigations begun the previous year into the history, 

 myths, and language of the Iroquois Indians at Versailles, Cattaraugus 

 County, N. Y. The material secured by him is of great interest and 

 value. 



2. Office worl: 



The Director, Maj. J. W. Powell, has continued the work of the lin- 

 guistic classification of the Indian tribes in North America north of 

 Mexico, and in connection with it is jireparing a map upon a linguistic 

 basis showing the original habitat of the tribes. The work is now so far 

 advanced that it is expected to be ready for the printer before January 

 next. It will form a part of the seventh annual report. 



As previously stated, Professor Thomas has devoted much of his time 

 during the year to the study of the collections made, and in preparing 

 for publication the account of field work performed by himself and his 

 assistants. That account will form the first volume of his final report, 

 and will consist wholly of descriptions, plans, and figures of the ancient 

 works examined, narrative and speculation being entirely excluded. 

 The report will be ready for publication so soon as the illustrations 

 shall be i)repared and some verifications and supplemental surveys now 

 being made, shall be comjileted. 



The second volume, which will be devoted to the geographic distri- 

 bution of the various types of mounds, archteologic maps and charts, 

 and a general discussion of the various forms and types of ancient works, 

 is well under way. The preliminary list of the various monuments known, 

 and of the localities where they are found, together with references to 

 the works and periodicals in which they are mentioned, which Mrs. V. 

 L. Thomas, in addition to her other duties as secretary to Mr. Thomas, 

 has been engaged upon for nearly three years, is now completed, and is 

 being used iu the preparation of maps. It will form a part of the sec 

 ond volume. 



Mr. Middleton's office work has consisted entirely in the preparation 

 of maps, charts, and diagrams. These are of two classes: (1) Those 

 made entirely from original surveys, which constitute the larger portion, 



