REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1898 fII 



The wampum belts and silver brooches now deposited in the state 

 library are invaluable and can not be duplicated. 



Mrs Converse has presented to the state a large and valuable 

 collection of relics, consisting largely of objects made and used by 

 the Indians during the last 100 years. Objects of this nature are 

 now difficult to obtain, and it is doubtful whether the collection 

 could be duplicated. We have also, through her kind offices, been 

 able to procure a large number of Iroquois wooden masks, no other 

 institution or collection having a like number. Nearly all are very 

 old, and all have seen service at the hands of the Indians. It is a 

 most valuable addition to the state's treasures, and can be appre- 

 ciated only by a full and careful examination. 



In addition to the sum of $5000 appropriated by the legisla- 

 ture of 1896, $2000 was granted by that of 1897, $2000 by that of 

 1898 and $1000 by that of 1899, nearly all of which has been ex- 

 pended, with very satisfactory results. A small amount of money 

 has been expended in excavating, though not as much work has 

 been done in that direction as was desired. If a sufficient appro- 

 tion is made by the legislature, much more work can be accom- 

 plished, as new sites have been found, people are becoming inter- 

 ested, and the outlook is encouraging. 



It is suggested that to conduct this department properly, an an- 

 nual appropriation should be made. The sum need not be large, 

 simply enough to enable the curator to be ready to act in any emer- 

 gency that may arise, which he can not do if appropriations are un- 

 certain. A wide-spread and growing interest is manifesting itself 

 in archeology ; and it is of the utmost consequence that steps be 

 taken to secure the desired objects, either by purchase or excavation, 

 as each year develops the fact that the relics of the red men are fast 

 disappearing, many objects now being unobtainable, and that farther 

 delay will cause more loss. The work is now well in hand, active 

 men are interested, great success has been obtained thus far, and 

 much more is promised, if assistance can be obtained from the leg- 

 islature. 



In the sudden death of the honorary curator, Mr Richmond, the 

 museum has lost a valuable ally and an indefatigable worker in the 

 cause of ethnology. 



Rev. W. M. Beauchamp has written a most comprehensive article, 

 Ahoriginal chipped stone iinplements^ illustrated with upward of 



