AnMrXT>;Tr!ATTVK REPORT XLV 



]ia])c'i- oil numeral systems, in conjunction witli Mr McGee's 

 jjaper on primitive numbers, renders it clear that primitiv-e 

 numbers were symbolic at least in considerable measure before 

 tliey acquired the conventional character by which they are 

 distinguished throughout more advanced culture. 



The earlier steps in the development of numeral systems 

 among the American aborigines are naturally obscure, since 

 most, or all, of the tribes had risen to the conventional use of 

 numbers before their discovery by white men; accordingly 

 I)r Thomas's discussions relate mainly to the methods of com- 

 pounding numbers into systems indicated by etymologic and 

 other associations. His tables and discussions well illustrate 

 the closeness of the connection between the quinary and decimal 

 bases and the vigesimal basis which attained so great promi- 

 uence among some of the more southerly tribes of North 

 America; thev also bring out, in connection with the researches 

 of McGee and Cusliing, the close relation between these regu- 

 lar systems and those irregular systems in which 2 + 1,4 + 1, 

 and 6 + 1 form the bases, and in which the m^^stical numbers 

 7, 9, 13, 49, etc., jday prominent roles. The tabulations are 

 especially noteworth}' in demonstrating the essential similarity 

 of the number systems of various tribes ranging from the 

 sedentary groups of the Pacific coast to the nomadic groups of 

 the interior, through the settled peoples of the pueblos, and up 

 to the codex-makers of Mexico and Yucatan. 



The possible a})plications of this study of aboriginal num- 

 bers are many; one of the most important of these is found in 

 connection with the calendric systems of the Mexican and 

 Mayan tribes, some of which are described in another paper 

 appended to tliis rejjort. 



TusAYAN Flute and Snake Ceremonies 



Much attention has been devoted by the Bureau to research 

 among the puelilo peoples; and no line of tlu^ research has 

 been more assiduoush' pursued than that relating to the sophic 

 activities so highlv developed among the tribesof the arid pueblo 

 region. The accom))an\ing memoir by Dr Fewkes illustrates 

 the natui-e and objects of the work; it presents a clear picture 



