28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



As an example of the persistence of certain large mammals in 

 occupying, or perhaps reoccupying, well-settled territory, may be 

 cited the capture of a Canada lynx in March 1920 by Isaiah Kilmer 

 at Jackson's Corners, N. Y. The skull has been added to the col- 

 lections. 



Fragments of the remains of a fossil elephant (mammoth) con- 

 sisting of skin, muscular tissue, adipocere and hair of varying 

 lengths and texture from Alaska, were the gift of Langdon Gibson 

 of Schenectady. Considerable interest is attached to these speci- 

 mens because of their identity with the remains of the mammoth 

 found within the limits of New York and because of their extraor- 

 dinary preservation, 



ARCHEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY 



The work of the division of archeology and ethnology as has been 

 explained in previous reports, covers several fields of activity and 

 includes both field and office research. Beyond this, the nature of 

 our subjects, touching human needs of the present day, places us in 

 demand by several regular and some special branches of state 

 service. Archeology and ethnology deal with the records of human 

 activity, customs, material culture and social organization. Our 

 Indian population with which we are especially concerned, still 

 lingers with us and while constituting an interesting memorial of the 

 past, also presents evidence of the virility and vitality of the Iroquois 

 people. To some extent the existence of separate political units 

 within the body politic creates special problems. Our endeavors 

 thus reach from the most remote antiquity of the red race in this 

 State to the newest of Indian babes. 



The office routine of the year has consisted of the work of cata- 

 loging, making of labels, preparing of specimens for exhibition, study 

 of records and the caring for requests by numerous correspondents. 

 The fiscal year 1919^20 has brought an unusually large correspond- 

 ence, indicating in no uncertain measure the value of this division 

 of the Museum to the public and to the specialist. 



Our catalog of archeological specimens is nearly complete and 

 includes a serial catalog of all specimens acquired since 191 1 and 

 a cross check catalog by subjects. The subject catalog is of special 

 value in determining the relative number of each specimen or class 

 of specimens. The patient work of Howard Lansing, who died two 

 years ago from an injury sustained while in the performance of his 

 duties, has been continued by Harry C, Wardell, the preparator of the 

 Museum. 



