XLII EEPORT OF THE liUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY 



Tlie institutions of the Indians, includino' tribal organiza- 

 tions, etc, liave received some attention. The chief Avork on 

 this subject lias been that rebating- to the svnonvniv or cvch:)- 

 pedia of trili)al names, ^vhich must form one of tlie bases for the 

 researches in sociology. Mr Hodge has given much energj', 

 and Dr IIofiEinan a part of his time to researches relating to 

 primitive institutions. 



The administratiA^e work of the Bureau has been carried 

 forward in such manner as to minimize expenditure of time 

 and energy on the i)art of the scientific collaborators. 



OPERATIOX.S DURINt; DECEMBER 



TT"c/rA' in s'kj)) laiignai/e — Colonel Grarrick Mallerv has con- 

 tinued the arrangement for publication of material collected 

 during several 3'ears past relating to gesture signs and signals. 

 His progress in the preparation of text and illustrations for the 

 monograph on this subject has been highly satisfactory. 



Work in mounds and related antiquities — Dr Cyrus Thomas 

 eai-ly in the month critically read the introductory character- 

 ization of his monogra])h on mounds, Avhich was prepared by 

 the Director. The greater part of the month was occupied in 

 examining the various calendar systems of Central America and 

 in making comparative studies of these calendars in connec- 

 tion with those of Polynesia, and especially of Hawaii. His 

 recent wf)rk has enabled liini to revise and make important 

 additions to his memoir on "The Maya Year," just going to 

 press as a bulletin. 



IVork in eastern archeolor/i/ — Professor W. H. Holmes has 

 continued work in the office on his monograph relating to 

 aboriginal ceramics, and satisfactory progress has been made 

 in preparing the text and illustrations for the press. His re- 

 searches are conducted in a comprehensive manner and serve 

 to indicate significant relations between the <levelopment and 

 ethnic relations of different peoples and arts, both indigenous 

 and derived from neighboring tribes. His previous discovery 

 of the influence of Cai-ib art on the natives of the southeastern 

 portion of the country proves only a forerunner of a series of 

 discoveries in etlmo-technic relations. This important subject 

 will be discussed at length in Professor Holmes' report. 



