OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. XV 
With little exception all sound anthropologic investigation 
in the lower states of culture exhibited by tribes of men, as 
distinguished from nations, must have a firm foundation in 
language Customs, laws, governments, institutions, mytholo- 
gies, religions, and even arts can not be properly understood 
without a fundamental knowledge of the languages which ex- 
press the ideas and thoughts embodied therein. Actuated by 
these considerations prime attention has been given to language. 
It is not probable that there are many languages in North 
America entirely unknown, and in fact it is possible there are 
none; but of many of the known languages only short vocabu- 
laries have appeared. Except for languages entirely unknown, 
the time for the publication of short vocabularies has passed; 
they are no longer of value. The Bureau proposes hereafter 
to publish short vocabularies only in the exceptional cases 
mentioned above. 
The distribution of the Introduction to the Study of Indian 
Languages is resulting in the collection of a large series of 
chrestomathies, which it is believed will be worthy of publica- 
tion. It is also proposed to publish grammars and dictionaries 
when those have been thoroughly and carefully prepared. 
In each case it is deemed desirable to connect with the gram- 
mar and dictionary a body of literature designed as texts for 
reference in explaining the facts and principles of the lan- 
guage. These texts will be accompanied by interlinear transla- 
tions so arranged as greatly to facilitate the study of the chief 
grammatic characteristics 
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICAN PHILOLOGY, BY MR. J. C. 
PILLING. 
There is being prepared in the office a bibliography of North 
American languages. It was originally intended as a card 
catalogue for office use, but has gradually assumed propor- 
tions which seem to justify its publication. It is designed as 
an author’s catalogue, arranged alphabetically, and is to include 
