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GRAMMATICAL SKETCH OF THE ABNAKL 263

Scattered as all these bits of information are up
and down the pages, and apphed to so many dif-
ferent words, they at first only bewilder the ciu-ious
reader. But when the words to which they are
severally appended are classified and compared,
and the principles of grammatical induction are
introduced to complete the process, they furnish
at least an outline, more or less distinct, of the
grammar of the language to which they refer. Of
a certain portion of the grammar, that especially
to which this paper will extend, the outline is very
clear and full. Until such an outline shall be
studied, the language of the Abnakis will continue
to remain the puzzle it has been hitherto, notwith-
standing all that has been written and published
concerning it.^

Akin to this subject, if not forming properly a
part of it, is the subject of the formation of worda
in Abnaki, and the meaning of their generic com-
ponent parts ; but however interesting this might
be, especially as affording an opportunity of ac-
counting for some of our geographical names of
Indian origin, I shall confine myself for the pres-
ent to questions of mere grammar.
' It would appear that some library in Canada possesses valuable
materials in manuscript for the stady of the Abnaki. L'Abbe Maa-
rault, in his Histoire des Aienaquts (pp. 501-5), mentions a Vocabu-
laiie Abmtkis of P. Aubery, a Diclionnaire de Eacinea Abnaldses, of
900 pages, left fay P- Lesueur. besides treatises, sermons, and in-
structions by lie same author. This much is mentioned as having
been yet extant in 1868, a great deal more having been lost in a fire
nbich destroyed the chapel of the Abnakis at St. Francis ia 1759.
