204 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE EEGENTS. 



of tribes, speaking quite a number of absolutely different languages, and of 

 some of these there are various dialects, differing sufficiently to require de- 

 signation. Having fixed and permanent villages, their nomenclature will be 

 much more extensive than what we are likely to get from nomadic bands Avho 

 roam in large numbers and cannot be followed up. The same state of things 

 existed on the Atlantic, and of portions of the country we have still quite rich 

 historical material. 



You will see that the above will contemplate, in fact, an ethnological atlas, and 

 that its preparation will be a matter of much time and labor, and occupy the 

 attention of all those interested in the study. As regards expense, that need 

 not be great at any one time, for the sub-maps, like the general one, might, in 

 the first place, be prepared in skeleton, and distributed like the circulars to in- 

 vite inquiry and contribution of material. As the work progresses, the topog- 

 raphy may be filled in, for these maps will afford room to exhibit it in much 

 greater detail than the larger one. 



In fact, as regards a general map, even upon the scale proposed, and for pur- 

 poses of topography itself, I doubt the propriety of going greatly into details. 

 The best general European maps avoid this. The map of the Pacific railroad 

 explorations, prepared under Mr. Davis's instructions, is almost useless from its 

 very minuteness. All the principal features arc lost in the details of topography. 

 But, above all things, it appears to me that multiplicity of object should be 

 avoided. Of course, a map showing the amount of rain per annum should ex- 

 hibit the causes of variation in different districts, but this depends on great 

 features and not on minute, ones ; and until it is shown that magnetics, for in- 

 stance, influence the amount of precipitation, it would be improper to introduce 

 lines of equal variation on a map intended to show those of equal rain fall. So 

 with a general topographical or ethnological map. 



I am engaged, with the assistance of the others, in drawing up the details 

 which we think it would be well to include in the sub-maps, indicating the bound- 

 aries and scales, which I will forward, as soon as completed, for your considera- 

 tion. Of course, I do not know how far you may be inclined to extend this 

 subject, but the inquiry will at any rate be the means of ascertaining some 

 valuable facts as to the amount of information at hand. 



This leads me to another subject. I find the field which I at first proposed 

 to myself has increased to such formidable proportions that, on consultation 

 with Mr. Bartlett and others, I have concluded to propose the following 

 scheme in its place : Professor Henry to request Messrs. Bartlett, Shea, Squier, 

 Buckingham Smith, and such others as he may think fit, to unite with the 

 writer in a comprehensive work upon the ethnology and philology of North 

 America, to be published by the Institution, and to prepare materials for maps 

 showing the location of the Indian tribes at various periods. The work can 

 appear in parts, if thought advisable, as each finishes his portion. Mr. B. R. 

 Itoss would doubtless undertake British North America, (except the immediate 

 coast,) including the Chepewyan family, the Crecs, and Knistencaux, and per- 

 haps the Esquimaux, and prepare a memoir giving the history of the subject, 

 and all that is valuable regarding those tribes. Mr. Shea to take the country 

 east of the Mississippi, except Georgia and Florida, which might be assigned to 

 Mr. Smith. Shea's knowledge and material exceed those of any one, on the 

 people of this region, and his critical acumen is remarkable. Mr. Squier would 

 assume Central America, and Mr. Bartlett, Texas and New Mexico. The writer 

 to take the northwest coast, Washington Territoiy, Oregon, and California. 

 There would remain the country intermediate between the Mississippi and 

 Hocky mountains and Mexico. Mexico I would suggest should be assigned to 

 some of the ethnologists of that country, with an invitation to prepare a general 

 view of the subject as relates to it. 



The work should embrace histography, ethnological divisions of families* 



