In order to make experiments, with a view of employing this means of record among the less civilized Indians of New Mexico,[1] I visited, in the month of April, the Passamaquoddies, the purest blooded race of Indians now living in New England.  The results obtained fully satisfied my expectations.  For whatever success I have had, I must express my obligation to Mrs. W. Wallace Brown, of Calais, Me., whose influence over the Indians is equalled by her love for the study of their traditions.

[Footnote 1:  This work was undertaken as a preparation for similar observation in connection with the Hemenway Archaeological Expedition.  I am indebted to Mrs. Mary Hemenway, of Boston, for opportunities to make these observations.]

The songs and stories were taken from the Indians themselves, on the wax cylinders of the phonograph.  In most cases a single cylinder sufficed, although in others one story occupied several cylinders.  None of the songs required more than one cylinder.

I was particularly anxious to secure the songs.  The Passamaquoddies agree in the statement that their stories were formerly sung, and resembled poems.  Many tales still contain songs, and some possess at this day a rhythmical character.  I am not aware that any one has tried to set the songs to music, and have had nothing to guide me on that head.

In sacred observances it is probable that the music of the songs preserves its character even after other parts have been greatly modified, while the song retains its peculiarity as long as it continues to be sung.  The paraphernalia of the sacred dance may be modified, as in the case of many New Mexican pueblos, into church festivals, but the songs must remain unchanged until superseded.  It is noteworthy in this connection that in many of the songs archaic words occur.

The following list indicates the variety of records which were made:—­

     1-3.  The story of how Glooscap reduced the size of the
     animals.  These cylinders give the story in substantially the
     same way as published by Leland in his “Algonquin Legends.”

     4.  A collection of Indian words corresponding with those
     found on page 82 of the schedule of the United States Bureau
     of Ethnology.

     5.  English words with Passamaquoddy translations.

     6, 7.  An old tale of how Pookjinsquess stole a child.

     8.  Song of the “Snake Dance.”

     9.  “War Song.”

10.  Song sung on the night when the governor’s election is celebrated.  This song was sung by proxy, and contains compliments to the feast, thanks to the people for election, and words of praise to the retiring chief.  It is a very old song, unknown to many of the younger Indians.

     11.  Numerals from 1 to 20; the days of the week; also, a
     “counting-out” rhyme.

     12-14.  Tale of Leux and the three fires.