REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. | 45 
for dogs and horses, and translated 127 of these names for a forth- 
coming paper on Fox sociology. Dr. Michelson finished the correc- 
tion of Jones’ Ojibwa Texts, part 2, which with part 1, previously 
corrected by him, will form the basis of a proposed sketch of Ojibwa 
grammar. During the fiscal year he also from time to time furnished 
data to answer official correspondence. 
The beginning of the fiscal year found Mr. J. P. Harrington, 
ethnologist, at Taos, N. Mex., engaged in the correction and comple- 
tion of his manuscript on the Tiwa language. The Taos material of 
the late Mrs. M. C. Stevenson, which is of considerable bulk and great 
value, was also checked up and made more complete, especially in its 
linguistic aspects. The close genetic relationship of the Tanoan 
dialects of New Mexico with Kiowa is remarkable, a very large num- 
ber of stems and affixes having practically the same sound, while the 
grammar runs parallel throughout. Certain subtle and unusual 
phonetic hardenings occurring in these languages make it impossible 
to assume anything but common descent from a not very remote 
ancestral tongue. ‘These discoveries open up far-reaching specula- 
tions and problems with regard to the origin of the Pueblo Indians. 
In August Mr. Harrington proceeded to southern California, 
where he continued his studies of the Chumashan Indians, most of 
the time being devoted to the Venturefio, which was also the dialect 
most successfully studied. During the course of the work the last 
good informant on the language of La Purisima died. Important 
information was recorded on the ancient customs attending birth, 
marriage, and death, and some idea was gleaned of the manner 
of conducting primitive pre-Spanish fiestas. Data on native foods 
was also obtained, including detailed descriptions of the prepa- 
ration of acorn and other vegetal foods in this region, information 
on these processes having never before been recorded. For example, 
in the preparation of acorns various species were employed, and also 
certain individual trees were noted for their preferable fruit, but the 
final palatableness of the acorn mush depended largely on the pa- 
tience and skill of the woman who prepared it. A kind of acorn 
bread was also prepared by cooling the mush in small molds which 
were placed in running water. Certain other vegetal foods, as the 
pit of the islay or California wild cherry, required long and com- 
plicated preparation. As primitive beverages may be mentioned 
toasted chia or similar seeds stirred up with the fingers in cold 
water; a satisfying drink made by soaking the bark of the ash in 
water; blackberries crushed in water; and a drink prepared from the 
fruit of the manzanita. A delicious sugar was obtained from a 
species of reed, and the fruit of the juniper was ground into a sweet, 
yellowish food. Interesting snatches of information reveal the 
former plenitude of fish and game. Fishing paraphernalia was evi- 
