NINTH ANNUAL REPORT 
OF THE 
BURHAU OF ETHNOLOGY. 
By J. W. Powe, Director. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The prosecution of research among the North American 
Indians, as directed by acts of Congress, was continued dur- 
ing the fiscal year 1887—88. 
The general plan upon which the duties of the Bureau have 
been performed from year to year has been fully explained 
in former reports. As it has seemed to be successful, it remains 
unchanged. The lines of investigation regarded from time to 
time as the most important or useful have been confided to 
persons specially trained in or adapted to their pursuits. The 
results of their labors, when properly prepared, are presented 
in the publications of the Bureau, constituting the series of re- 
ports, of monographs, and of bulletins whose publication has 
been authorized by Congress. A brief statement of the work 
upon which each one of the special students was actively en- 
gaged during the fiscal year is furnished below; but it should 
be noted that this statement does not specify all the studies 
made or services rendered by them, since in this, as in former 
years, particular lines of research have been suspended in order 
to prosecute work regarded as of pressing importance. 
Explorers, writers, and students who are not officially con- 
nected with the Bureau are again invited to render assistance 
in the prosecution of its work. Their contributions, whether 
of suggestions or of extended communications, will be grate- 
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