117. Gaming ring 238
118. Sweat house 240

* * * * *

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR.

* * * * *

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Smithsonian Institution,
Bureau of Ethnology,
_Washington, D.C., October 1, 1887_.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my Eighth Annual Report as Director of
the Bureau of Ethnology.

The first part presents an explanation of the plan and operations of
the Bureau; the second consists of a series of papers on anthropologic
subjects, prepared by my assistants to illustrate the methods and
results of the work of the Bureau.

I desire to express my thanks for your earnest support and your wise
counsel relating to the work under my charge.

I am, with respect, your obedient servant,

[Signature:] J. W. Powell

Prof. S. P. LANGLEY,
_Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution._

* * * * *

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

of the

BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.

By J. W. POWELL, Director.

* * * * *

INTRODUCTION.

The prosecution of research among the North American Indians, as
directed by act of Congress, was continued during the fiscal year
1886-'87.

The general plan upon which the work has been prosecuted has been
explained in former reports and has not been changed. After certain
lines of investigation had been decided upon, they were confided to
persons trained in their pursuit, with the intention that the results of
their labors, when completed or well advanced, should be presented from
time to time in the publications of the Bureau provided for by law.
A brief statement of the work upon which each one of the special
students was actively engaged during the fiscal year is furnished below,
but this statement does not embrace all the studies undertaken or
services rendered by them, since particular lines of research have been
suspended in this, as in former years, in order to prosecute unto
substantial completeness work regarded as of paramount importance. From
this cause delays have been occasioned in the completion of several
treatises and monographs, already partly in type, which otherwise would
have been published.

Invitation is renewed for the assistance of explorers, writers, and
students wh