J.W. Powell's Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region. 453 
North American Indians. To aid him in this work, circulars 
of inquiry have been widely distributed among ethnologists and 
other scholars throughout North America, and much material 
has been obtained which will greatly supplement his own ex- 
tended observations and researches. 
During the summer some interesting work was done in the 
examination of the stone graves of Tennessee, and valuable col- 
- lections were made. Professor Powell has codperated with the 
Institution in providing for a more thorough examination of 
the archwology of the islands off the shore of southern Cali- 
fornia. This exploration was made by Rey. Stephen Bowers, 
of Indianapolis, Indiana, and his report will be published with 
the papers of the survey. 
A small volume, entitled “Introduction to the Study of 
Indian Languages,” has been prepared. This book is intended 
for distribution among collectors. In its preparation, Prof. 
Powell was assisted by Prof. W. D. Whitney, the distinguished 
philologist of Yale College, in that part relating to the repre- 
sentation of the sounds of Indian languages. ew prelimi- 
nary copies have been printed and distributed among gentlemen 
interested in the study of Indian languages for such addition 
and emendations as may be suggested preparatory to final pub- 
lication. A tentative classification of the linguistic families of 
the Indians of the United States has been prepared. This will 
It is believed that the labors in this direction will not be void 
of useful results. 
was made of the Black Hills of Dakota, by Mr. Walter P. 
Jenny, with ; 
honorable Secretary of the Interior. On the return of the 
the spread of civilization over a region inhabited by savages. 
geographical and geological report was unfinished at that time. 
This fi work a left in the hands of Mr. Henry A. New- 
ton, his geological assistant, to be completed. On May 28th, 
1877, at the request of Mr. Newton, the completion of the 
