Appendix II. 



EEPOET OF THE DIEECTOR OF THE BUEEAU OF AMEEICAN ETHNOL- 

 OGY FOE THE YEAE ENDING JUNE 30, 1895. 



Sir : Ethnologic researches have been prosecuted during the fiscal year in accord 

 ance with act of Congress making provision " for continuing researches relating to 

 the American Indians, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution." The 

 operations have been conducted in accordanca with the plan submitted at the begin- 

 ning of the fiscal year, with minor modifications made necessary by circumstances. 



The primary classification of the work is topical, and the researches along different 

 lines comprise field studies or exploration and office work in the elaboration of the 

 material collected in the field or obtained in other ways. The chief researches dur- 

 ing the last year relate to (1) archeology, (2) descriptive ethnology, (3) sociology, 

 (4) sign language and hieroglyphics, (5) linguistics, (6) mythology, (7) psychology, 

 (8) bibliography, and (9) publication, together with administrative and miscellaneous 

 work. 



In the usual course the researches begin in the field, where surveys are made and 

 where information and material are collected. The data obtained in this way are 

 studied and compared and reports thereon are written in the office, and the reports 

 thus prepared are, after examination by the Director or by the ethnologist in charge 

 under his instructions, transmitted for publication. The scientific operations there- 

 fore include (1) fieldwork or exploration, (2) office researches, including the prepa- 

 ration of reports, and (3) publication. 



EXPLORATION. 



During the earlier portion of the fiscal year Mr. Cosmos Mindeleff was occupied 

 in extending and completing his explorations and surveys in southwestern United 

 States. During the field season of 1894 his operations were largely confined to Can- 

 yon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona, but his reconnoissances and surveys were 

 extended into contiguous territory. During July and the earlier part of August he 

 examined San Juan Valley and there obtained information of much interest. In its 

 topography and general geographic conditious this region appears to have been well 

 adapted to the needs of the ancient pueblo builders, and it affords examples of nearly 

 all the types of aboriginal villages now known, together with other types and many 

 variants which have not been surveyed elsewhere. The examination and compara- 

 tive study of these relics throw much light on the development of art in architecture 

 by the people of the pueblos. In other directions, too, the observations add mate- 

 rially to knowledge of the habits and customs of the aborigines. Mr. Mindeleff' s 

 researches during the season, in connection with his surveys during the last fiscal 

 year, have covered a large territory and will permit archeologic mapping of value; 

 even the negative results are useful as indicating the territory barren of aboriginal 

 works. 



Early in September Mr. Mindeleff brought his field operations to a close. The 

 greater part of the month was spent in completing his accounts and disposing of his 

 field outfit and equipment. Toward the end of the month he repaired to Washington 

 to begin the preparation of a final report on his surveys of the preceding fifteen 

 months. 

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