REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 53 



constructed of unworked stone blocks. In many instances the foun- 

 dations of the walls were stones placed on edge, their tops separating 

 the masonry of the roof. Clusters of circular rooms, measuring from 

 4 to 10 feet in diameter, also occur. The floors of these rooms are 

 generally covered with burnt earth or ashes, mingled with clay that 

 bears impressions of willows and grass, as if parts of roofs similar 

 to those of prehistoric rooms observed along the Colorado River in 

 the San Juan drainage. 



Cliff houses also exist in the breaks bordering the Walhalla Pla- 

 teau, but these are as a rule small single rooms, apparently cists for 

 storage like those built by the people who inhabited the single-room 

 houses in the open, somewhat back from the rim of the canyon. 

 Many small artifacts were found on the cliffs but few fragments of 

 pottery were reported. 



Dr. Walter Hough was detailed from the National Museum to 

 begin a study of the ruins in the Tonto Basin, a country of great 

 archeological possibilities, situated between the valleys of the Little 

 Colorado and the Gila. The result of a brief examination of the 

 northern part of this region was encouraging, showing the existence 

 of large ruins in the open as well as cliff houses of considerable size. 

 Dr. Hough also made an examination of several important collec- 

 tions of artifacts, some of which are unique, and enumeration of the 

 ruins visited by him indicates a promising field for future research, 

 which it is the intention of the bureau to prosecute in coming seasons. 



Mr. D. I. Bushnell, jr., continued the preparation of the manu- 

 script for the Handbook of Aboriginal Remains East of the Mis- 

 sissippi. The introduction, containing much matter treating of sites, 

 has been completed and will be published in advance of the hand- 

 book. It contains a valuable discussion of village sites and ceme- 

 teries, treated in a historical manner, with reproductions of old 

 prints and maps. 



Dr. A. L. Kroeber has elaborated certain portions of the Handbook 

 of the Indians of California and little remains to be done before it is 

 ready for publication. 



The study of Indian music was continued by Miss Frances Dens- 

 more throughout the year. She has completed a report on the Ute 

 music, consisting of about 375 pages, and has submitted new material 

 on Ute, Mandan, and Chippewa music. Her account of the Mandan 

 Hidatsa songs contains 400 pages. A new feature has been introduced 

 in the study of the Ute melodies, where she has devised diagrams 

 consisting of curves on a background of coordinate lines. Miss Dens- 

 more's main studies have been on ethnobotany of the Chippewa, and 

 include plants used in treatment of the sick and other subjects. The 

 general economic life and the industries of the people were also 

 studied, during which she made an extensive collection, which she 



