ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT XXXI 



phonetics, with the view of devising a complete alphabet 

 adapted to the representation of the various obscure and deca- 

 dent vocatives of primitive languages. 



Dr A. S. Gratschet continued his researches concerning the 

 Peoria lang'uag'e along lines alreadv laid down. Over two 

 thousand Peoria words are now recorded on cards. In addition, 

 he made during the month a careful examination of an elabo- 

 rate English-Nez Perce dictionary and Nez Perce grammar, 

 representing the work of the late Miss S. L. McBeth, who was 

 for many years a missionary teaclier among the Nez Perc^ 

 Indians of Idaho. This voluminous manuscript Avork was 

 conveyed to the Bureau early in the month by ]\Iiss Kate C. 

 McBeth. 



]\Ir Hewitt continued the preparation of ling'uistic inaterial 

 alread}' descrilied, and was engaged also for a C()nsiderable jjart 

 of the month in the elaboration of the system of government 

 of the Iroquois, the modes of acquiring and conveying infor- 

 mation of a political character, and also the primitive methods 

 of agriculture. 



TPo;7i- ill hUdiofiraphij — ]\Ir James C. Pilling continued biblio- 

 graphic work, completing the jjortion of his catalog pertaining 

 to the Chinookan and Salishan languages, by preparing cards 

 taken from the bibliog'raphies of these stocks. 



Work in sociolof/i/ — Dr W. J. Hoffman continued field work, 

 spending the greater j)art of the month among the Menomini 

 Indians of Wisconsin, with a view to completing a rej)ort on abo- 

 riginal cult societies, mythology, ancient customs, and linguis- 

 tics. Satisfactory progress was made in this work. In addition, 

 he continued the collection of valuable material representing 

 the pristine haliits and domestic life of the Lake Superior 

 Indians, sending in a typical dug-out canoe and also a very old 

 mortar and pestle used originally for tlie grinding of grain and 

 latterly for the preparation of medicinal and magic compounds. 

 This objecti\'e material has been received, and will shortly be 

 transferred to the National Museum. 



The Ethnologist in Charge has been occupied chiefly in 

 administrative work. In addition, a definite arrangement was 

 effected with Senor ^Manuel Antonio Muniz, M. I)., surgeon- 



