VI PKEFACE 



of institutions, particularly the American Museum of Natural History 

 and the University of California. Most of the material contained 

 in the first Part, except that contained in the sketches of the 

 Athapascan, by Dr. P. E. Goddard, and of the Eskimo, by Dr. Wil- 

 liam Thalbitzer, was collected in connection with extended ethno- 

 logical research conducted under the joint auspices of these institu- 

 tions and the Bureau of American Ethnology ; and the grammatical 

 sketches are based on the discussion of texts published by the 

 Bureau of American Ethnology and by other institutions, and which 

 are referred to in the various sketches. 



The work of collecting and of revision has extended over the 

 period from 1897 to 1908. Lack of funds prevented a more rapid 

 completion of the work. 



I desire to express my sincere thanks to the collaborators who have 

 contributed to the volume, and who have willingly adopted the gen- 

 eral plan of presentation of grammar outlined by the editor. 



Franz Boas. 



New York, February 26, 1910. 



