REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 29 
In the interest of general education, particularly in natural his- 
tory, it has been the custom for many years to distribute to schools 
and colleges throughout the country such duplicate material as 
can be spared from the Museum collections. During the past year 
14,564 specimens were thus distributed, besides several hundred 
pounds of rocks, minerals, and ores. 
The total attendance of visitors to the new or natural history 
building during the year was 267,728 for week days and 61,653 on 
Sundays, while the older building was visited by 146,533 persons. 
The publications of the year numbered 14 volumes and 58 sep- 
arate papers. The hbrary has now increased to a total of 43,609 
volumes and 73,765 pamphlets and other unbound papers. 
The auditorium and other available rooms in the new building 
have proved of great convenience for meetings of scientific bodies 
and were largely utilized during the year. Accommodations were 
also afforded for several conventions of agriculturists, accompanied 
by exhibits of wool, fruits, and other products 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 
The work of the Bureau of American Ethnology during the year 
has brought together much new material relating to the habits and 
customs and the languages of the American Indians. The results 
of the studies of the several investigators are being published as 
promptly as practicable. The systematic researches by the eth- 
nologists forming the scientific staff of the bureau are described 
in detail in the second appendix of this report. I may mention as of 
special interest a reconnoissance by Mr. F. W. Hodge, Ethnologist- 
in-charge, of a group of prehistoric ruins on a mesa in Cebollita 
Valley, N. Mex. These ruins consist of a number of house groups 
forming a compound built on an almost impregnable height, and 
designed for defense; not only the groups but the individual houses 
have the form of fortifications, while the vulnerable point of the 
mesa rim is protected by means of a rude breastwork of stones. The 
outer wall, which protects the whole mesa, is built of exceptionally 
fine masonry, probably the finest work to be found in ancient pueblo 
ruins of the Southwest. The building stones have been dressed to 
shape, matched for size, and their faces finished by pecking, with 
such labor as to confirm the belief that this ancient village was 
designed for permanent occupancy. Among the special features of 
interest which Mr. Hodge discovered were a burial cist in which 
skeletons, pottery, and the remains of a mat were found; three small 
cliff lodges situated in the sides of the cliffs; several ceremonial 
rooms or kivas associated with the ruined houses; and the remains 
of the early reservoirs of the inhabitants. 
