PREFACE. 
The compilation of the following matter was begun some years since 
as a cai-d- catalogue for the use of the members of the Bureau of Eth- 
nology, and as a basis for a projected work bj^ the Director on the 
classification of North American tribes by language. Although prose- 
cuted only during such times as could be spared from other and more 
pressing official duties, and at first with no thought of making it compre- 
hensive, material accumulated in sufllcient quantity to justify the belief 
that a somewhat complete monograph of the subject might be compiled. 
To accomplish this the co-operation of many persons interested in this 
branch of research is necessary; and that this co-operation may be 
given to the best advantage it is essential they should know what has 
already been done. Hence the following proof-sheets— a preliminary, 
tentative, and incomplete catalogue, embodying the information gath- 
ered by the compiler from printed and manuscript authorities, by per- 
sonal visits to public and private libraries throughout the United States 
and Canada, and by an extensive correspondence. The amount of ma- 
terial already obtained through outside sources during the type-setting 
and proof-reading, and which partly appears in the appended "Addi- 
tions and Corrections," strengthens the belief that, with the assistance 
of those in a position to furnish information, it will be possible to make 
the final issue a fairly complete record of the books, pamphlets, papers 
in serial journals, and manuscripts, in or relating to the Indian languages 
of North America. 
It is desired that those into whose hands these sheets may fall will 
consider them in no sense as finished or complete; only a few copies 
are struck off, and these have been prepared especially for distribution 
to collaborators for the purpose of obtaining marginal corrections and 
insertions. 
When finally issued the work will form Volume X of the series enti- 
tled "Contributions to North American Ethnology." 
Nowhere else, perhaps, is there such opportunity for error as between 
• the two covers of a catalogue, and no one can be more fully aware of the 
many defects and inconsistencies in this one than the compiler. Nor 
can they be excused except on the general plea that it was thought 
preferable to insert imperiect titles, and to insert them out of order, 
than not to have them appear at all. Bad titles may be the means of 
procuring good ones, and consistency of arrangement can be secured 
in the final sheets, or the defect partly atoned for by a cross-reference. 
The aim of the compiler has been to record everything pertaining to 
the subject which has come under his notice. 
