190 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



In July, 1871, the Hayden survey reached the shores of the Yellowstone Lake, and 

 as it came into camp for the first time on its banks, the beautiful sheet of water 

 courted navigation. No provision whatever had been made for building a boat — the 

 thought had not entered the minds of Dr. Hayden or Mr. Stevenson when they out- 

 fitted for the exploration, and nothing therefore was taken into the luggage of the 

 party and its pack-train for such a contingency. As the members of the party gazed 

 with delighted eyes upon the broad expanse of this big mountain lake, a general 

 desire to sail out to the islands upon its waters was loudly expressed, coupled with 

 regret that no fit means for so doing was available, rafting being wholly inadequate. 

 Stevenson said nothing, but quietly took the cook's axe, called two of the packers 

 and went with them into a thicket of young birch and spruce trees, where he speed- 

 ily trimmed out the ribs and gunwales of a double-ended and skiff-shaped boat. He 

 lashed these into place and then took one of the cargo covers — a large square sheet 

 of heavy canvas — with which he neatly covered this rude frame. A small mast was 

 stepped, and a pair of oars adjusted as they were hewn out, together with a large 

 steering sweep. He began this work about 2 o'clock in the afternoon ; just before 

 nightfall or dark (about 9 o'clock then and at that place) the little boat, some 13 feet 

 in length, was launched, and Mr. Stevenson pushed out from the shore for a brief 

 trial trip. The boat was a perfect success, and by its aid a complete hydrographic 

 survey was made before the party left that region. 



In ways like this he overcame the many unforeseen obstacles which 

 arise in the path of a scientific exploring party. Climbing mountains, 

 winding through forests and caiious, crossing ugly, treacherous streams 

 and arid plains, in heat or in cold, in rain or in sunshine, or meeting 

 hostile savages, Mr. Stevenson was always in the front, always ready, 

 and always geuial, aud always the quiet and resolute master of the sit- 

 uation. 



Three descriptive and illustrated catalogues of archaeological and 

 pueblo collections were prepared by Mr. Stevenson and were published 

 by the Bureau of Ethnology. He also prepared for publication papers 

 relating to the myths, ceremonials, and sand paintings of the Navajo 

 Indians, and to the archaeological remains of the southwest. 



The death of James Stevenson was a positive loss to the institutions 

 to which he devoted his life, viz, the U. S. Geological Survey, National 

 Museum, and Bureau of Ethnology, and to scientific explorations. No 

 offers however flattering could allure him from his life's work. He 

 labored from a love for truth, aud was ever ready to lend his aid to 

 any movement for the advancement of science. His modesty and un- 

 selfishness won for him the esteem of all who knew him. 



