ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT XIX 



the curve about as closely as does inetal -wrought masonry. 

 The perfection of the stone work of both types suggests 

 Caucasian skill; but the indications of great antiquity, 

 coupled with the absence of binding mortar, and espe- 

 ciall}'' the laying of the stones in such manner as to reveal 

 ignorance of the principle of breaking joints, prove that 

 the work was primitive. 



In his reconnaissance of the ruins of Little Colorado 

 river, Dr Fewkes reexamined criticallj^ the ancient struc - 

 ture discovered by Sitgreaves in 1851, which is of much 

 interest as one of the earliest known ruins of the pueblo 

 country. His observations on the subject are of interest, 

 partly in that they afford a basis for estimating the dura- 

 tion of such ruins when protected from vandalism either 

 by inaccessibility, as in this case, or by such legislative or 

 executive action, as is frequently contemplated by gov- 

 ernmental authorities. The detailed measurements and 

 comparisons will be incorporated in a later report. Dur- 

 ing the same trip Dr Fewkes discovered a number of 

 additional ruins, including those of cavate dwellings 

 located in the softer layers of heterogeneous volcanic 

 deposit. Some of his observations throw useful light on 

 the methods of excavating such deposits employed by the 

 aborigines, as well as on their general modes of life. 



During the autumn it was ascertained that Dr A. E. 

 Jenks, of the University of Wisconsin, was engaged in a 

 study of the wild rice industi-y of the aborigines, and it 

 was thought well to take advantage of the opportunity to 

 systemize and place on permanent record the considerable 

 body of material brought together through his researches. 

 Accordingly provision was made to have Dr Jenks visit 

 various localities in Wisconsin and Minnesota in which 

 the wild rice industry is still carried forward 1)y the In- 

 dians, and provision was also made for photographing 

 the various operations connected with the harvesting, 

 preserving, and cooking of the produce. The incpiry 

 derives importance primarily from the large use of wild 

 rice among the alx)riginal tribes and incidentally from the 



