--House burial 175
29.--Canoe-burial 178
30.--Mourning-cradle 181
31.--Launching the burial cradle 182
32.--Chippewa widow 185
33.--Ghost gamble 195
34.--Figured plum stones 196
35.--Winning throw, No. 1 196
36.--Winning throw, No. 2 196
37.--Winning throw, No. 3 196
38.--Winning throw, No. 4 196
39.--Winning throw, No. 5 196
40.--Winning throw, No. 6 196
41.--Auxiliary throw, No. 1 196
42.--Auxiliary throw, No. 2 196
43.--Auxiliary throw, No. 3 196
44.--Auxiliary throw, No. 4 196
45.--Auxiliary throw, No. 5 196
46.--Burial posts 197
47.--Grave fire 198

A FURTHER CONTRIBUTION

to the

STUDY OF THE MORTUARY CUSTOMS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS

By H. C. Yarrow.

INTRODUCTORY.

In view of the fact that the present paper will doubtless reach many
readers who may not, in consequence of the limited edition, have seen
the preliminary volume on mortuary customs, it seems expedient to
reproduce in great part the prefatory remarks which served as an
introduction to that work; for the reasons then urged, for the immediate
study of this subject, still exist, and as time flies on become more and
more important.

The primitive manners and customs of the North American Indians are
rapidly passing away under influences of civilization and other
disturbing elements. In view of this fact, it becomes the duty of all
interested in preserving a record of these customs to labor assiduously,
while there is still time, to collect such data as may be obtainable.
This seems the more important now, as within the last ten years an
almost universal interest has been awakened in ethnologic research, and
the desire for more knowledge in this regard is constantly increasing.
A wise and liberal government, recognizing the need, has ably seconded
the efforts of those engaged