REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I9II 61 



Binney's work of 1878 (his Manual of 1885 being merely a reprint). 

 This has necessitated considerable work in dissecting eastern forms 

 to settle their generic affinities by the new standards. Much of this 

 work has application far beyond the limits of New York and will 

 thus give the report a wider than local interest. The examination of 

 collections has added several species to the fauna, but a number 

 reported from the State have been deleted, as they were found, when 

 the specimens were traced, to' be erroneous identifications. A few 

 others reported from " Western New York " in reputable works 

 still need verification. 



VI 



REPORT ON THE ARCHEOLOGY SECTION 



The work of this section divides itself into two subsections, 

 archeology and ethnology. In turn, these again divide into several 

 distinct branches. To carry out the plans of the section the work 

 involves both time spent in the field and in the office. Besides these 

 various divisions of research and of labor, the work of the fiscal 

 year just past has been divided between that necessary to carry on 

 the ordinary requirements of the section and the special require- 

 ments of the Myron H. Clark Hall of Iroquois Ethnology. The 

 additional labor brought about as the result of the Capitol fire and 

 the destruction of the archeological and ethnological collections 

 exhibited about the western staircase, has been heavy and consumed 

 much of the time between March 29th and May 15th. 



With a great increase in the correspondence of the section, 

 together with the other work, activities have been taxed to the 

 utmost. 



Archeology. During the autumn of last year an interesting 

 site was located in the town of Livonia, Livingston county. It was 

 one of several examined during the year and found worth excavat- 

 ing. The site has long been known as that of a fort or village of 

 the colonial period. The burial ground had not been found until 

 located by our tests. 



During July, August and September fifty-two graves were found 

 and explored with good results. The graves presented some inter- 

 esting problems and yielded some interesting and unique specimens. 

 The excavations were conducted by Mr E. R. Burmaster, who for 

 several years has acted as field assistant and whose expert services 

 this year did much to bring about successful results. 



