36 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



the party was permitted to cross the boundary with the outfit and necessary supplies ; 

 while the governor of Sonora, Sefior Ramon Coral, offered to furnish a guard of state 

 troops, and in other ways displayed constant interest in the work of the expedition. 

 Much is due, also, to Sefior Pascual Enciuas, an intrepid pioneer, to whose courage 

 and energy the extension of settlement in the borders of Seriland must be ascribed, 

 and a well-known citizen of Hermosillo, without whose assistance the work would 

 have been crippled. 



Office Work. 



archeology. 



Dr. J. W. Fewkes brought his field explorations and excavations to a close toward 

 the end of August and proceeded to Washington, where he was for several months 

 employed in unpacking, cleaning, repairing, labeling, and installing in the National 

 Museum the collections of pottery and other aboriginal material obtained in the 

 course of his work iu Arizona. In connection with this duty he prepared a general 

 paper on the results of his work for the annual report of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, and began the preparation of a more extended and fully illustrated memoir for 

 incorporation in the seventeenth annual report of the Bureau ; he was occupied on 

 this memoir during most of December, 1895, and until his departure to the field in 

 May, 1896. In this report especial attention is given to the symbolic decoration of 

 the pottery and to its bearing on the mythology of the Pueblo Indians. 



Toward the end of the fiscal year Dr. Fewkes returned to the field for the purpose 

 of making excavations and surveys of ruins brought to light through his previous 

 reconnoissance. He was accompanied by Mr. Walter Hough, of the National Museum, 

 who was detailed as a field assistant for the season. The operations were commenced 

 at the ruin known as Homolobi, on Little Colorado River, about 3 miles from Winslow, 

 Ariz. As indicated by tradition, this village was the ancient home of a Moki Indian 

 clan. For a time the results of the work were not encouraging, but toward the 

 middle of June a productive part of the ruin was reached, and within a few days 

 400 fine specimens were obtained, including 250 beautiful bowls, dippers, vases, jars, 

 and other specimens of aboriginal fictile ware, similar to that obtained from Sikyatki 

 during the preceding season. Examination showed that the ware is typically Tusa- 

 yan, yet in its form and decoration is archaic and without influence of civilized 

 culture, thus demonstrating prehistoric character. The work at this point continued 

 successful until the ruin was exhausted. The party then repaired to another site, 

 known as Chevlon Pass, on Little Colorado River, also discovered by Dr. Fewkes. There 

 the excavations were successful almost from the first, so that by the end of June 

 the field catalogue of specimens had passed the number of 1,000. Several unique 

 and especially significant objects were brought to light at this ruin. Some of the 

 pottery found here is remarkably fine in texture, form, and decoration. Numerous 

 baskets were also recovered, as well as cotton cloth, sandals, pahos (or ceremonial 

 wands), and marine shells. Although Dr. Fewkes' collections during the summer 

 of 1895 were unprecedented in wealth and scientific value, for the United States, 

 his collections during the first half of the season of 1896 were even richer and more 

 significant iu their bearing on ethnic problems. 



Early in December, Mr. Frank Hamilton Gushing proceeded to Florida to resume 

 the researches relating to the Seminole Indians and to the archeology of that region, 

 which were commenced several months before and temporarily discontinued by reason 

 of the inadequacy of the funds at disposal for field work. It was found imprac- 

 ticable to make the requisite allotment for necessary field expenses, aud a tender 

 was accepted from the Archeological Association of Philadelphia, representing the 

 Museum of the University of Pennsylvania, for cooperation. Under the terms of 

 the cooperation the Archeological Association assumed the cost of field work, includ- 

 ing the subsistence of the party, the salaries of assistants to Mr. Cushing, and inci- 

 dental expenses connected with the operations, while the material proceeds, in the 



