XXVIII BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



As research progressed under this practical impetus, the 

 lines of human conduct leading- toward amity or tending 

 toward enmity among the tribesmen were necessarily studied 

 with especial care. It was soon observed that diversities in 

 mythology or belief easily engender distrust and strife, while 

 similarities in faith inspire mutual confidence and thus pro- 

 mote peace. Accordingly the fiducial activities of the tribes, 

 including the myths and cei'emonies, were investigated and 

 defined. It was also observed that tribes and confederacies 

 organized or regimented on parallel lines and governed bv 

 chiefs chosen in the same way commonly associate peacefully, 

 while groups whose institutions are unlike seldom associate 

 Avithout friction and clashing. Thus the practical importance 

 of primitive institutions was necessarily recognized. It was 

 observed, 'too, that aboriginal groups whose industries, sports, 

 and games are similar usually live together in harmonv, while 

 Indians whose arts and industries are diverse are nnituallv 

 suspicious and prone to animosity; so that it was deemed 

 needful to investigate and discriminate the esthetic and indus- 

 trial activities of the several tribes. Finally it was observed 

 that tlie arts of pleasure, the industries, the institutions, and 

 the beliefs of the tribes are intimately connected with the 

 languages by which they are expressed and continually revivi- 

 fied, and, as observation proceeded, this connection was found 

 so intimate as to show tliat language may be regarded as an 

 index to all the otlier acti vital attributes, and hence as a basis 

 for tribal classification and for the arrangement of the Indians 

 in amicable groups. 



As the researches went on from year to year, the early 

 observations were extended and the early generalizations cor- 

 roborated, and a system of classification based on essentially 

 human activities was developed and applied. This system is 

 set forth in the preceding reports and is expressed in the sev- 

 eral lines of research pursued in the Bureau. 



With the definition of the activities, ethnic research gradually 

 rose to a new plane. The investigator of today feels less con- 

 cern in the jihysical characteristics of tribesmen than in their 

 conduct and in the motives and other inti'insic attriV)utes 



