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Show xviii AUTHOR'S PREFACE mass of available information. The task of the present volume, therefore, has been one of condensation. Of many omissions, ruthless but necessary, I am fully conscious and equally regretful. It is my hope, however, that the book may prove of some service as an introduction to the study of American ethnology as well as to that of American history. I am grateful for this opportunity of acknowledging my deep and constant obligation to my friend and colleague Franz Boas, whose extraordinary anthropological learning and enthusiasm have been to me for years a source of inspiration, and whose judgment has been always at my disposal in the preparation of this volume. I wish also to acknowledge particularly the assistance of Mr. A. B. Lewis, who has co- operated at every stage of the work; and of Dr. J. F. McGregor and Mr. C. B. Robinson, whlo gave indispensable aid in the treatment of topics with which they were especially familiar. \ LIVINGSTON FARRAND. I I i i I |