INTRODUCTION 



The material on which this account of the Coos language is based 

 was collected at the Siletz reservation, Oregon, during the summer of 

 1909. I obtained nineteen complete myths and other texts with inter- 

 linear translations, and linguistic material consisting chiefly of forms, 

 phrases, and sentences. 1 have also had at my disposal a number of 

 texts and grammatical notes collected by Mr. H. H. St. Clair, 2d, 

 during the summer of 1903, which were of great assistance on many 

 points. 



This material was obtained chiefly from James Buchanan and Frank 

 Drew, both of whom proved to be intelligent and reliable informants. 

 To the former especially I am indebted for the complete and rich 

 collection of myths and texts, while the latter was my chief source of 

 information on points of grammar and lexicography. Frank Drew's 

 untiring efforts and almost perfect command of English made him a 

 very valuable interpreter, in spite of the fact that this advantage was 

 offset in a great many cases by his knowledge of the Hanis and Miluk 

 dialects of the Coos, and by his inability to draw a dividing-line 

 between the two dialects. Hence his information was very often con- 

 tradictory, and showed many discrepancies; but, on the whole, he 

 was found trustworthy and reliable. 



In conclusion I wish to express my deep gratitude to my teacher, 

 Professor Franz Boas, for the many valuable suggestions made in 

 connection with this work, and for the keen and unceasing interest 

 which he has taken in me during the many years of our acquaintance. 

 It was at his suggestion that this work was undertaken; and its com- 

 pletion is due mainly to the efforts and encouragement received from 

 him. He it was who first imbued me with an enthusiasm for the 

 primitive languages of the North American continent, and the debt 

 which I owe him in this and in a great many other respects will be of 

 everlasting duration. 



Columbia University, 



April, 1910. 



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