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the work, and directs its Inspector of Monuments to allot to this 

 Museum the objects found, when such are duplicates. This 

 privilege, heretofore prohibited by law, is destined to result in 

 great benefit to this Museum and to the National Museum of 

 Mexico. 



It is proposed to begin work next September at the ruined 

 Temple of Xochicalco, in the State of Morelos ; this ruined city 

 contains the most important structure of ancient Nahuatl culture 

 extant in Mexico. A mould will be made of the eastern wall, 

 which is the best preserved of the four sides ; it is sixty feet in 

 length and thirteen feet in height, and the casts will provide the 

 Museum with a most important reproduction, showing the art of 

 stone carving and the mythology of these people, as illustrated in 

 the sculpture. An exploration of the tombs will also be under- 

 taken. 



Following this work an exploration of the Usumacinto Valley 

 will be made, covering the ruins of Palenque, and the little 

 known ruins of Menche and Peidras Negras on the. Guatemala 

 frontier ; the work at these points is certain to yield most important 

 results. 



Graphic views of the Temple of Xochicalco are shown in this 

 report, the photographs of which were made by Mr. Marshall H. 

 Saville, Assistant Curator of Archaeology, while in Mexico during 

 the spring of this year. 



Reference has already been made to the archaeological material 

 obtained by the Messrs. Hyde brothers, during their expedition 

 of 1896 in New Mexico. 



A valuable collection of jade ornaments, 70 in number, from 

 Alaska, was added to the collection ; these objects were pur- 

 chased by the Trustees, through the courtesy of Lieut. George T. 

 Emmons, U.S.N., just prior to his departure from Sitka. 



In closing my reference to the work in this department it is 

 proper to add a few words regarding a subject of great interest, 

 not only to the student of anthropology, but also to persons inter- 

 ested in scientific research in other fields. I refer to the theory 

 that America was originally peopled by migratory tribes from the 

 Asiatic continent. The opportunities favorable for solving 

 this problem are rapidly disappearing, and I would be deeply 



