240 A Bear Hunt in the Adirondacks. 



winters when there was a scarcity of food; our Adirondack 

 wilderness affords no space for the habit, if such habit 

 they possess. 



I have here the snow-shoes which I used during the 

 hunt and which, as they are rather peculiar in their con- 

 struction, may be of interest to the Institute. They differ 

 materially from those made by our north woods' hunters; 

 being longer and more pointed and fully netted, toe and 

 heel, they support one better on the snow, and served me 

 nobly throughout the chase, despite rough usage. They 

 were made by the Indians of Maine from the raw hide of 

 the Cariboo or American rein-deer, which is highly es- 

 teemed for the purpose. A light thin string of this skin is 

 as strong and durable as one much larger and heavier, 

 made from the coarser deer or ueat's hide. An Indian 

 made Cariboo snow-shoe is a marvel to our white hunters, 

 both from the material used and the skill displayed in 

 the manufacture. There is a fault in the Indian snow 

 shoes however; though their length enables one to go for- 

 ward rapidly, yet it is difficult to turn quickly on them ; 

 again, the toes being very pointed one is apt while running 

 to catch in the bushes or crusted snow and trip headlong. 

 These faults are obviated by practice, when great distances 

 may be traveled swiftly upou them through the dense 

 forests. 



Minute details, merely interesting to hunters, I have 

 omitted. There remains the outline of the adventure and 

 a few notes, perhaps of scientific interest. 



