XXIV ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



to individual tribes and those in common use between the 

 several tribes mentioned ; vocabularies of the languages with 

 special reference to the subject of gestures ; signals, and picto- 

 graphs, with interpretations ; mnemonic characters and marks 

 of personal distinction worn upon the person of the individual 

 or upon personal property. 



A topographic map was also made of the Indian village, 

 showing the relative locations of the modern dwellings and 

 the earth lodges, as well as the portions of the village now 

 occupied by the several tribes mentioned. 



EXPLORATIONS IN MOUNDS. 



The act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of 

 the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, 

 directed that five thousand dollars of the appropriation made 

 for the purpose of continuing ethnologic researches among the 

 North American Indians should be expended in continuing 

 archseologic investigations relating to mound builders and pre- 

 historic mounds. In accordance with this direction investiga- 

 tions were made as follows : • 



In Tennessee and Arkansas, by Dr. Edward Palmer. A 

 large collection was received from him containing some ex- 

 tremely rare and even unique objects. 



In West Virginia and adjacent portions of Eastern Ohio, 

 by Dr. W. DeHass. 



In Tennessee, by Mr. W. J. Taylor, who has furnished a num- 

 ber of specimens similar in character to those of Dr. Palmer. 



In Florida, by Mr. S. T. Walker. His collections show some 

 peculiarities in the contents of prehistoric mounds and graves 

 in that State as compared with those of Tennessee and Ar- 

 kansas. 



A detailed statement of the collection obtained from the 

 mounds, in connection with other objects received during the 

 year, appears in the illustrated catalogue prepared by Mr. W. 

 H. Holmes, and published in the present volume. 



