viii PREFACE. 



the greater part of North America. Examination proved that I probably 

 had in my hands vakiable linguistic material relating to every family, and 

 perhaps every language but two within the limits of the United States. 

 After a somewhat hasty review of the subject, a selection from this material 

 was made, to be published as the first volume of " Contributions to North 

 Amei'ican Ethnology ". 



In order that the great number of collaborators throughout the country 

 might have an earnest of the speedy publication of the results of their labors, 

 this volume was rather hurriedly sent to the press. Perhaps, had a little 

 more time been taken to the proper digestion of the subject, a somewhat 

 different arrangement would have been made. I at least hope to improve 

 on the methods of presenting the subject in subsequent volumes. 



The contributions in this volume from the jien of Mr. Gibbs will, it is 

 believed, be found to be of exceeding value. On every page are exhibited 

 evidences of his thorough and conscientious work, and it must ever be a 

 matter of deep regret to American linguists that Mr. Gibbs was not spared 

 to complete his labors, and to give to all this great collection of linguistics 

 that better finish that would have resulted from his editorial skill. 



It seemed proper that a biographic notice of Mr. Gibbs should appear 

 in the introduction to this volume, and I had commenced the preparation 

 of such a notice ; but when I learned that a " Memorial of George Gibbs" 

 had been written by John Austin Stevens, jr., and published by the New 

 York Historical Society, and subsequently republished in the Smithsonian 

 Report for 1873, I recognized that this task had been performed far better 

 than I could do it myself. 



To Mr. W. H. Dall I am indebted not only for his valuable contribu- 

 tions, but also for his kindly painstaking assistance in the general prepara- 

 tion of the volume. 



The valuable contributions from the pens of Dr. William F. Tolmie 

 and Rev. Father ftlengarini are but a part of the material in my hands col- 

 lected by these gentlemen. I hope that the method of publication adopted 

 will meet with their approval. 



Mr. J. C. Pilling lias rendered me valuable assistance in his proof- 



