20 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Another noteworthy archeologic exploration was made along the 

 western coast of Florida, south of the twenty-seventh parallel, bringing 

 to light abundant relics of the prehistoric age. In this case the collec- 

 tions were taken chiefly from salt-water bogs within coral islands or 

 atolls, in which domestic and ceremonial objects of wood, bone, shell, 

 and antler, together with implements and weapons of shark and other 

 teeth, and even textile fabrics were preserved in wonderful perfection. 

 Water-color sketches were made of all masks and other wooden speci- 

 mens liable to deteriorate in drying. 



The work on the "Cyclopedia of the American Indians" has been 

 carried forward, and a considerable part of the material has been made 

 ready for the j>ress. 



Eesearches concerning the social organization and institutions of the 

 Indians have been continued, and some of the results have been incor- 

 porated in the reports of the Bureau. 



The work in linguistics has gone on steadily. A comparative vocab- 

 ulary of Algonquian dialects is well advanced, and additions to it have 

 been made through studies of the Miami and Peoria tongues. The tri- 

 bal and linguistic development of the Iroquois Indians, or Six Nations, 

 has been studied with success, yielding a means of determining, within 

 limits, the prehistoric movements of these tribes. Substantial progress 

 has been made also in ascertaining the general laws of linguistics and 

 in applying these laws to the problems of the character and distribu- 

 tion of the aborigines. 



One of the results of researches concerning the Kiowa ceremonials 

 was the discovery that the Indians deepened their trance condition, 

 and at the same time strengthened their bodies against fatigue, by the 

 use of the dried tops of a cactus which contains certain alkaloids of 

 remarkable properties. 



The subject of native American mythology has received attention. 

 It has been found that the myths and ceremonials throw much light on 

 the origin and development of some of the industries and games of the 

 Indians, and give an insight into many characteristics of primitive 

 peoples in general. The ceremonials of the Pueblo Indians have been 

 studied with care, and new indications have been found of the intimate 

 connection between rituals and environment. A report dealing with 

 the operations and ceremonials of the Zuhi Indians was practically 

 completed during the year. 



The Bureau made an exhibit in connection with the National Museum, 

 under the Smithsonian Institution, at the Cotton States and Interna- 

 tional Exposition held at Atlanta during the autumn of 1896. This 

 illustrated the characteristics and habits of the Cherokee Indians of 

 eastern United States, of the Papago Indians of the far Southwest, and 

 of the little known Seri of the western coast of Mexico. It received 

 the highest award — a diploma and a gold medal. 



The details of the Bureau's operations are recounted in a special 

 report from Director Powell, forming Appendix II. 



