REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 49 



replying to letters requesting this information. This in many cases 

 requires special knowledge of experts or extended studies in the 

 library. The administration and routine duties of the office have also 

 occupied much of the time of the chief. 



The Great War has enlarged our view of the practical value of 

 ethnological studies. As our country has become a world power and 

 has entered into political and commercial relationships with many 

 other races whose ethnology is little known, it is desirable that the 

 ethnological researches of the bureau be enlarged in order that we 

 may better appreciate these foreign peoples. From necessity we 

 have limited our researches to the American Indian and the natives 

 of Hawaii. There is, however, an urgent call for more extended 

 studies of all peoples whose amalgamation will constitute the future 

 American. 



In addition to purely official duties, the chief has devoted con- 

 siderable time to field work and the preparation of reports on 

 archeological researches. In the course of the year two visits were 

 made to the Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado — one in August 

 and September, 1919 ; the other in Juiie, 1920. These researches, in 

 accordance with the above-mentioned act of Congress for the excava- 

 tion and repair of archeological remains, were in continuation of the 

 cooperative work of the Smithsonian Institution and the National 

 Park Service of the Department of the Interior, and were made with 

 an allotment from the latter for the excavation and repair of cliff 

 houses and other ruins on the Mesa Verde. 



In the summer and autumn of 1919 the chief excavated and re- 

 paired Square Tower House, formerly known as Peabody House, one 

 of the most picturesque cliff dwellings of the j^ark. The excavation 

 of small house sites situated among the cedars on top of the mesa 

 near the trail to Square Tower House was carried on simultaneously 

 by Mr. Ralph Linton, under the direction of the chief. 



The work at Square Tower House has enlarged our knowledge of 

 the structure of cliff dwellmgs; that on small house sites contributes 

 to theoretical discussions of their genesis and evolution. The small 

 house sites on top of the mesa were interpreted as prototypes of kivas 

 in the large cliff buildings and are thought to be the ancient stages 

 in their development. The whole history of the evolution of hori- 

 zontal masonry can be followed by studies of various types of build- 

 ings on the Mesa Verde. 



The two unique characteristics of Square Tower House are a 

 square tower situated in the middle of the ruin and the well-pre- 

 served roofs with beams intact on two of the ceremonial rooms, or 

 kivas. The repair of the tower was timely, as it had been feared for 

 many years that it would fall, since it has long been tottering. As 

 17339°— 20 4 



