98 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Among these specimens were ceremonial objects of the Eagle or 

 Bird dance, dance rattles and paraphernalia, carved bowls, wood 

 spoons and similar ornaments. Decorated clothing was obtained at 

 Allegany and husk objects, notably moccasins, at Cattaraugus. 



Year by year the native artifacts used by the Iroquois of New 

 York and Ontario are diminishing in number and variety. Make- 

 shifts are frequently employed, as for example, tin can rattles for 

 horn rattles, fringed canvas masks for corn-husk masks and a tin 

 dipper for the ceremonial ladle. Only a few old persons remain 

 who remember the ancient arts of weaving and quill decoration. 

 Thus the field is constantly growing more barren and it is only with 

 great effort, combined with good fortune, that desirable objects of 

 ethnological interest are obtained. Flying trips on the reservation 

 are not satisfactory means of collecting. A residence of several 

 months for the express purpose of collecting specimens will be 

 found more conducive of results. Thus the short time actually 

 devoted this year to collecting was remarkably productive. 



As is customary, this year some effort was made to add to our 

 store of folk tales, myths and texts, but little time could be given 

 to this task. Some corrections to manuscripts already at hand were 

 made. Our important manuscripts on Iroquois ethnology must 

 receive early attention with the idea of a thorough revision and 

 publication. Students of ethnology in general eagerly await the 

 facts that we have to give. The amount of work ahead in this 

 direction alone represents much activity and time for the future. 



Public interest. It is gratifying to note the increasing value of 

 this section of the Museum to the public. Although the accessions 

 are not yet on exhibition, numerous students make personal visits 

 and the specimens are made available for study. The specially 

 valuable locality collections afford a unique means for comparison. 

 Distribution of types and specimens may be studied here as in no 

 other institution. The gradual realization of these facts is con- 

 stantly bringing inquiries relative to the aboriginal occupation of 

 the State. 



Numerous letters are received requesting information on various 

 subjects, such as the history of the New York Indians, myths, 

 games, customs, rituals, religion, language, names, music, present 

 condition, distribution etc. etc. 



Many requests have come for accurate and appropriate Indian 

 names. The intended use of these names has ranged from names 

 for camp fire girls clubs, estates and boats, to names for lakes, hills, 

 springs, and other geographical features. At the request of Hon. 



