REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I9TO 45 



An examination of the pages of the works on the Iroquois reveals 

 that but little has been added to the sum total of knowledge about 

 them since the time of Colden and later the time of Morgan. Many 

 writers, it is true, such as Schoolcraft, Hale, Clark, Boyle and Beau- 

 champ, have contributed much of importance, but the fact remains 

 that no thorough ethnological study has ever been made. A vast 

 reservoir of data remains untapped, and in stating this the truth is 

 not overdrawn. So nmch about the Iroquois remains to be learned 

 that all that has been recorded seems but a pittance. To grasp this 

 work and rescue from oblivion the knowledge which is now within 

 our grasp is the work of a lifetime, but within a lifetime a great 

 part of it will be beyond the reach of human effort. The minds that 

 know and hold the old-time lore will have passed into the great 

 silence. In this state of conditions the ephemeral things of museum 

 routine ought not to be permitted to interfere with the opportunity 

 that lies before us. 



Among the ethnological subjects which have been matters of study 

 may be mentioned Iroquois mythology, folk cults, dreams and dream 

 influence, gesture and emotional language, names and the doctrine 

 of names, costumes and personal ornament, sign language, symbols, 

 decorative art, periodic ceremonies, wampum records, the code of 

 Dekanowideh and the code of Handsome Lake. Notes on many 

 other subjects are awaiting elaboration. 



Information on many of these subjects is totally lacking and is 

 not to be had outside of our notes, which are as yet, in most cases, 

 only outlines. 



Several large collections of archeological material have been 

 offered us, but without funds it is not possible to acquire them. Most 

 of these collections are invaluable and can never be duplicated. 

 In many instances they represent the greater part of the relics col- 

 lected in a given region and are the result of years of investigation. 



There is no legitimate reason why funds should not be appropri- 

 ated for the purchase of this material, which by every reason should 

 become the property of the State. The interest of other institutions 

 both here and abroad in these collections has led to the purchase of 

 some and their removal beyond our control. The State of New 

 York can hardly afford to permit the loss of this vast historical and 

 archeological wealth, and yet mistaken policy has permitted it in 

 the past. 



No attempt has been made to rearrange the archeological collec- 

 tions, since there is no means of displaying any collections, however 



