Appendix II. 



REPORT ON THE BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 



Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report on the operations of 

 the Bureau of American Ethnology for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907 : 



SYSTEMATIC RESEARCHES. 



The operations of the Bureau of American Ethnology, conducted in accord- 

 ance with the act of Congress making provision for continuing researches 

 relating to the American Indians under direction of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 have been carried forward in conformity with the plan of operations approved 

 by the Secretary July 19, 190G. 



Systematic ethnological researches have been prosecuted by the scientific staff 

 of the Bureau, assisted by a number of collaborators who have been invited to 

 conduct investigations for which they were especially qualified. The Bureau's 

 scientific staff is restricted to a small number of investigators whose field of 

 labor is necessarily limited, and it has always been the policy of the Bureau 

 to widen its scope by enlisting the aid of specialists in various important 

 branches. While thus seeking to cover in the fullest possible manner the whole 

 field of American ethnology, it has sought with particular care to pursue only 

 such branches of research as are not adequately provided for by other . agencies, 

 public or private. The result sought by the Bureau is the completion of a sys- 

 tematic and well-rounded record of the tribes before the ever-accelerating march 

 of change has robbed them of their aboriginal characteristics and culture. 



During the year researches have been carried on in New Mexico, Arizona, 

 Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, New York, and Ontario. The field 

 work has, however, not been so extensive as during most previous years, for the 

 reason that a number of the ethnologists had to be retained in the office to 

 assist in the completion of the Handbook of American Indians and in the proof 

 reading of reports passing through the press. 



The Chief of the Bureau remained on duty in the office during nearly the 

 entire year. Administrative duties occupied much of his time, but during the 

 winter and spring months he was called upon to assist in the preparation of the 

 exhibit of the Smithsonian Institution at the Jamestown Exposition, and in 

 April in installing this exhibit. The completion of numerous articles for the 

 Handbook of American Indians, the revision of various manuscripts submitted 

 for publication, and the proof reading of reports and bulletins claimed his 

 attention. Aside from these occupations his duties as honorary curator of the 

 department of prehistoric archeology in the National Museum and as curator of 

 the National Gallery of Art absorbed a portion of his time. The chief was also 

 called upon to assist in formulating the uniform rules and regulations required 

 by the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and War in carrying out the 



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