XX ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



and erroneous interpretations encumbering the original records 

 made by incompetent observers, and in directing further re- 

 search on philosophic principles. 



LINGUISTIC WOEK. 



As was explained in the First Annual Report, prime impor- 

 tance is attached to linguistic researches. Without fundamental 

 knowledge of those languages which can still be successfully- 

 studied, all other anthropologic peculiarities of the tribes speak- 

 ing them will be imperfectly understood. The early publication 

 of grammars and dictionai-ies connected with which are texts, or 

 a body of literature obtained from Indian authorities, to illus- 

 ti-ate the facts and principles of the language, while also re- 

 cording the genuine aboriginal philosophy and traditions, has, 

 therefore, been regarded as essential. Interest in the Indians, 

 which hitherto has been vague and ill-directed, even when 

 most active, will by this means be gratified with an abundance 

 of authentic material, and the models furnished will be imitated 

 and doubtless improved by scientific workers not connected 

 with the Bureau. 



Three important contributions to Indian linguistics have been 

 partly prepared and in part printed during the year, but on 

 account of the slow progress through the press of publications 

 of this character, requiring minute attention and many re- 

 visions, they have not yet been issued. 



THE </!BGIHA LANGUAGE, BY REV. J. OWEN DORSE Y. 



The ^egiha language, spoken by that linguistic group of 

 the great Siouan stock which is composed of the Ponka, 

 Omaha, Kansas, Osage, and Kwapa tribes, has for a number 

 of years been studied by Mr. Dorsey, who was long resident 

 among those Indians, and has since revisited them for this 

 special purpose. His Dictionary and Grammar, accompanied 

 with myths, historical accounts and dictated papers, will be a 

 more thorough presentation of an Indian language than has 

 yet been published. 



