ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. LVII 



Several }'ears ago C'asa Grande ruin was brought into gen- 

 eral notice throughout the Uuited States in consequence of 

 southwestern explorations; and in 1889, in response to a peti- 

 tion from several illustrious Americans, the Congress of the 

 United States, at the instance of Senator Hoar of Massachu- 

 setts, made an appropriation of $2,000 for the 2)ur})ose of 

 undertaking the preservation of this ruin. This appropriation 

 was expended in works urgently required to prevent the fall- 

 ing of the walls and tinal destruction of the ruin; they included 

 metal stavs for tlie Avails, with brickwork for the su])port and 

 protection of the walls at their bases. Subsequentlv an area of 

 about 480 acres, including the ruin, was reserved from settle- 

 ment by t^xecutive order. A custodian was also appointed, 

 and has since been continued. 



The accompanying description of this notable ruin, by Mr 

 Cosmos Mindeleff, is based on examinations and surveys made 

 before the preservative works were commenced. The memoir 

 accordingly presents an accurate picture of the ruin in the con- 

 dition to which it was brouglit by the destructive agencies of 

 nature and the relatively slight injury by vandals. The his- 

 tory of the operations for the preservation of the ruin, with 

 suitable illustrations, is reserved for a future report. 



OUTLINES OF ZUNI CREATION MYTHS 



Under primitive conditions of life, the habits and customs of 

 people directly reflect the environment by which they are sur- 

 rounded, and these habits and customs in turn shape thought. 

 In this way there has been developed among each primitive 

 people of the earth a series of opinions concerning the relations 

 of the things about them among each other and to mankind; 

 and sometimes such a group of opinions is elaborated into a 

 system of philosophy. Now, all primitive philosophies are 

 more or less mythic and unreal — indeed, the whole course of 

 intellectual development among mankind has been one of con- 

 stant elimination of unreality. Thus the primitive philosopy is 

 in greater or less degree a mA'thology; and the myths are inti- 

 mately interwoven with liistory and tradition in such manner 



