352 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1891. 



cruise of the exploriug scinadron, by Mr. Drayton, and Agate; on the mineralogical 

 and geological collcctiuiis, from Mr. Dana; and a paper on the philological depart- 

 ment I obtained from Mr. Hale, who happened accidentally to be in town. As Mr. 

 Hale has not enumerated the collections in this latter branch, I will here specify 

 them particularly. The Institute now possesses, exclusive of — 



Thirty-six volumes and pamjihlets, and a large bundle of newsjtaper files ; historical 

 ilocuments, all ])riuted at Lima and Chili, which may not projterly come under this 

 head. 



Grammar of the Quichua language, which is still the vernacular in the mining 

 towns of the Peruvian Andes. 



Ten tracts in the language of the Society Islands, printed in ])arl at Tahiti. 



Eleven tracts in the Samoan language, from the mission press at those islands. 



Printed specimens also of the Fiji and New Zealand languages, including New Zea- 

 land testament. 



Sixty-three volumes and ]»am]>hlcts in the language of the Sandwicli Islands, in- 

 cluding the entire translation of the Bible ; printed at those islands 1>y the American 

 Mission Press; accompanied also with 8])eciniens of engraving by native artists, one 

 of which in particular, viz, a general map of the islands, would do no discredit to 

 the state of the arts at home. 



A Japanese book (apparently a religious work) and other writings, believed to be 

 entirely unique in this country. 



The originaal Tagala grammar, printed two centuries ago at thi' l'liili]ipiiies, 

 giving an account of that alphabet, now extinct; the more interesting, as this is one 

 of the most remote points to Avhich the invention of letters appears lo have pene- 

 trated— -before, at least, the modern iin])rovements in navigation. 



Nineteen volumes of Malay manuscripts; in all probability the iincst concclinu in 

 existence. 



Eleven volumes of Bugis manuscri]its. (Anotesays: "Theoiily Ibni of Biigis lyjie 

 in existence^ belongs (o tlie American board of missions at Singajiore.") The I'liigi.s 

 are very proud of their literature, and are now the most prominent iieoiije in tlic 

 East Indian Archipelago; lor the iieculiar geogra]diical features of the vast region 

 would seeui to preclude the division into nations, which obtains in other jiarts (d" 

 the glolie. 



A Bali grammar. ( What follows is derived from other sources than tlu; ex[ic(li 

 tion.) 



Leaves from a Bali liook. lueseiiled by Mr. Thomas H. frills, 



A Siamese l)0ol<. 



Several slabs of hierogly|ihics Irom (eiitial America, I'y Mr. Kuyiel, I'niteil States 

 consul, Ivaguayra, 



('o]dic books, by Mr. (iliddon. late ccmsul at Cairo. 



Egy))tian anti(|uities and hieroglyphi<s, by the sanu', \\ hiih are s|iecially woilliy 

 of notie<', and give a Juster idea of the style of ihc worlds of that womlcrt'ui iieople 

 than could beaciniired from )ilates. Souk' of thesis fragments have long l)een wanted 

 in this country, and will be looked at with the more interest as Ihc extraordinary 

 and autlienlic annals disclosed by them licconie more generallx Uiiowi!. 



I will not now enter into an acconnt of the implem(Mits. arts, and uianulactnres of 

 the \arious iieople we have \isited. ^^■e Hatter ourselves, however, that these ^\}\\ 

 prove not the h'ast important part of the collections, 1 will refer now only to the 

 interest with which we sluuUd lot)k upon some such relics of the tribes who once in- 

 habited our Eastern waters, whose race has disa])])eared ere its history was written. 

 When jiosterily shall demand of the pi'esent generation, as men of intelligence, sonu- 

 ai'count of these people, what will l»c forthcoming '! It is generally to be feared oidy 

 that which is written in imperishable stone — a few stone hatchets and arrowheads. 



With regard to our Western tribes, better things are to be hoi>ed for, although 

 they have already lost some of their arts and ingenuity from intercourse with civil- 



