ADMINISTRATIVK KEPuKT x .\v 



the various studies afford a foundation for svsiciuaiii- rt>«-arcli. 

 The work was taken up incidentally bv the late Frank IIan>- 

 ilton Gushing, with the collaboration of \)v Stewart ( 'ulin, i>\' 

 Philadelphia, author of notable treatises on Korean ajid otlier 

 games. Their joint study was incomplete at the time of Mr 

 Cushing's death; subsequently it was carried forward inde- 

 pendently by Dr Culin. During the year an arrangement 

 was effected with Dr Culin under wliicli lie lias nearly roni- 

 pleted a monograph on Indian games for pidilication by the 

 Bureau. In the prosecution of the work he has made .M-yeral 

 field trips, has examined material in all the leading nniM-mns 

 of the country, and has prepared numerous photograjihic and 

 other illustrations. The results of the study are of mucii 

 interest in that they illustrate a curious commingling of the 

 fiducial and the fortuitous hi the notions of primitive game- 

 sters. Actually, the games are played as dei)ending on chance 

 rather than skill, though considerable skill is eyentually .l.'vel- 

 oped; yet the playing is essentially <leyotional toward tiie 

 mysterious potencies held to control the j)hysical worhl and 

 to govern human affairs. Accordingly, the games jdayed for 

 pastime run curiously into the most sacred cereinoiiies, and 

 the devices employed afford a fruitfnl revelation of j.rimitive 



thought. By reason of the wealth of material tiie uo- 



graph has become voluminous. It was not cpiite n-ady for 

 delivery at the end of the year, but is promised tor th.- tn-st 

 quarter of the current year. 



During the year Professor W. H. Ib'l—s, now <.t tne 

 United States National Museum, complete.l the monograph 

 on Aboriginal Pottery of Eastern United States ol winch 

 he prepared the first draft wl.ih' an ollic-er ot tii,- Ihnvau. 

 Although, primarily techmdogic, it forms an m.portant addi- 

 tion to knowledge of aboriginal esthetics. As re,M-atc;dly 

 noted in the ethnologic work of the Hm-eau c.thet.c m<.t,yes 

 invariably arise in symbolism atid develop through a c.-nveir- 

 tionahstn shaped by ancillary or adventmrnts cond.tm.. 

 including texture of materials, character ot t.iols et, .. a> y 



rthrou:h growing .mceptiveticss and, <-•♦;;;;;;;;;;:-; 



Now, nolii^ of esthetic deyeh.pment is more complete than 



