NINTH ANNUAL REPORT 



BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY 



BY J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The prosecution of research among the North American 

 Indians, as directed by acts of Congress, was continued dur 

 ing the fiscal year 1887- 88. 



The general plan upon which the duties of the Bureau have 

 been performed from year to year has been fully explained 

 in former reports. As it has seemed to be successful, it remains 

 unchanged. The lines of investigation regarded from time to 

 time as the most important or useful have been confided to 

 persons specially trained in or adapted to their pursuits. The 

 results of their labors, when properly prepared, are presented 

 in the publications of the Bureau, constituting the series of re 

 ports, of monographs, and of bulletins whose publication has 

 been authorized by Congress. A brief statement of the work 

 upon which each one of the special students was actively en 

 gaged during the fiscal year is furnished below ; but it should 

 be noted that this statement does not specify all the studies 

 made or services rendered by them, since in this, as in former 

 years, particular lines of research have been suspended in order 

 to prosecute work regarded as of pressing importance. 



Explorers, writers, and students who are not officially con 

 nected with the Bureau are again invited to render assistance 

 in the prosecution of its work. Their contributions, whether 

 of suggestions or of extended communications, will be grate- 



