FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



M. W. Stirling, Chief 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the Bureau of American Ethnology during the fiscal year 

 ended June 30, 1932, conducted in accordance with the act of Con- 

 gress approved February 23, 1931. The act referred to contains the 

 following item : 



American ethnology : For continuing ethnological researches among the 

 American Indians and the natives of Hawaii, the excavation and preservation 

 of archeologic remains under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, in- 

 cluding necessary employees, the preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and 

 illustrations, the purchase of books and periodicals, and traveling expenses, 

 $72,640. 



SYSTEMATIC RESEARCHES 



M. W. Stirling, chief, left New York on September 26, 1931, as a 

 member of the Latin American expedition to South America. The 

 first region visited by the expedition was the San Bias coast of 

 Panama. Here Mr. Stirling spent approximately a month in mak- 

 ing an ethnological survey of the Tule Indians. From Panama the 

 expedition proceeded to Ecuador, where three weeks were spent in 

 investigating archeological sites in the Andean highlands in the 

 vicinity of Cuenca. After crossing the Andes and descending to the 

 frontier post of Mendez, three months were spent among the Jivaro 

 Indians of the Santiago and Maranon Elvers. The expedition crossed 

 the mountains from Mendez to the upper Yaupe Eiver. They then 

 descended the Yaupe to the Santiago, passing down this river to its 

 junction with the Maranon. Much of the time was spent living 

 with the Jivaros in their own houses, where Mr. Stirling was able to 

 record first-hand a considerable quantity of ethnological data. In 

 addition to this a collection was made representing the material 

 culture of the Indians of the region. After a short excursion up the 

 Alto Maranon, the expedition passed through the famous Pongo 



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