Smithsonian Institu iion, 



Bureau of Ethnology, 



Washington, D. C, July 8, 1880. 



This little volume is the third of a series designed to promote anthro- 

 pologic researches among the North American Indians. The first was 

 prepared by myself, and entitled " Introduction to the Study of Indian 

 Languages;" the second by Col. Garrick Mallery, entitled "Introduction 

 to the Study of Sign-Language among the North American Indians." 



The following are in course of preparation and will soon appear: 



Introduction to the Study of Medicine Practices among the North 

 American Indians. 



Introduction to the Study of Mythology among the North American 

 Indians. 



Introduction to the Study of Sociology among the North American 

 Indians. 



The mortuary customs of savage or barbaric people have a deep 

 significance from the fact that in them are revealed much of the philosophy 

 of the people by whom they are practiced. Early beliefs concerning the 

 nature of human existence in life and after death, and the relations of the 

 living to the dead, are recorded in these customs. The mystery concerning 

 the future; love for the departed who were loved while here; reverence 

 for the wise and good who may after death be wiser and better; hatred 

 and fear of those who were enemies here and may have added powers of 

 enmity in the hereafter — all these and like considerations have led in 

 every tribe to a body of customs of exceeding interest as revealing the 

 opinions, the philosophy of the people themselves. 



In these customs, also, are recorded evidences of the social condition 



