CALIFORNIA EXPLORATIONS, 1898 
Under a special authorization from the Secretary, 
the Ethnologist in Charge, Mr. W. J. McGee, with Mr. W. H. 
Holmes, of the U. S. National Museum, made an extended 
ethnologic and archeologic reconnaissance in California 
during October, November and December. The district exam- 
ined comprised the western slopes and foothills of the Sierra 
Nevada, including the Table Mountain Region from Yuba River 
southward to Tule River; a portion of the northern coast 
range region, centering about IJkiah; typical portions of the 
Sacramento Valley, centering about Stockton, and the coastwise 
areas and offshore islands of the southwestern region of the 
state . 
i 
The primary purpose was the collection of artifacts 
representing the aboriginal culture of the Pacific coast 
province; a secondary purpose was the collection of prehistoric 
relics, the comparison of these with the early historical 
period, and the general study of the culture history of the 
region. The operations resulted in substantial enrichment 
of the Museum through the acquisition of new material, and 
indirectly the opportunities for local work led to the acquisi- 
tion of a highly useful collection of basketry - the Hudson 
collection - which throws much light on the aboriginal handi- 
craft and motives of the California Indians. 
(20th Annual Report, Bureau of American Ethnology, page x) 
