OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. XLI 



Utah, with reference mainly to the exploration of burial mounds 

 and the study of mortuary customs 



Near Choke Cherry Spring a burial cave was discovered, 

 containing the skeletons of three persons, which were secured. 

 Other skeletons, with contents of graves, were obtained near 

 Willow creek ; also, an interesting specimen of tree burial. 



At Deep creek an explanation of the curious form of water 

 burial was gained from a chief of the Gosiats, to the effect that 

 the bodies of the turbulent and disorderly men of the tribe 

 were thus disposed of to prevent the spirits of these objection- 

 able persons from joining the rest of the tribe after death. 

 Their bodies were sunk in springs and marshy places and kept 

 down by sticks and stones, so that their spirits could never get 

 out 



In the neighborhood of Fillmore a mound was excavated 

 which afforded an admirable example of the beforementioned 

 conversion of a dwelling into a sepulcher. The probability is 

 that the deceased died in his house, which was made of adobe 

 bricks, and that it was at once abandoned and the body left 

 therein, the roof being first removed. The corpse was placed 

 on the floor and covered with a paste of moist clay, on which 

 were placed the mortuary gifts of weapons, utensils, and food. 

 Cottonwood branches were then piled above and set on fire, 

 thus baking the clay crust and charring the several objects. 

 The whole structure had been covered, so that on first examina- 

 tion the hard surface of burnt clay, 18 inches below the loose 

 earth, appeared to be the floor of a former dwelling. 



In the whole of the expedition, which continued into the 

 last days of September, much difficulty was experienced from 

 the suspicion and consequent hostility of the Indians of the 

 localities visited. 



WORK OF DR. W. J. HOFFMAN. 



Dr. W. J. Hoff"man proceeded early in August to Victoria, 

 B. .C, where numerous sketches of Haida totem posts and 

 carvings were obtained, in connection with the myths which 

 they illustrated. At this locality attention was paid to the 



