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4

ed by foreign influences.  I have a very valuable series of photographs, many of them taken to illustrate the religion of the people, and some to show the burial mounds, dolmens and rock-caves.

In addition to these I have about 75 excellent negatives of choice Japanese paintings, all from originals by artists of note, and illustrating some of the most famous schools of native art.

It is hoped that I can be relieved of the work that has thus far occupied my attention, in order that the valuable material thus briefly alluded to may be rendered available during the present year.

I may also add, that on a small island off the coast of Yezo I found probably the last vestiges of the people still living in houses over pits, such as it is supposed were formerly common throughout Yezo.  The remains of what are supposed to have been pit-dwellings are to be seen in many  places in Yezo, but the evidence that they were inhabited is based mostly on Aino traditions.  It was my good fortune not only to visit the pit-dwellings, but also to photograph them.  In a few years they will doubtless disappear, as the small remnant of people is dying out.