314 ANTHROPOLOGY. 



spondingly abandoned by the Indians, the reversion, naturally, will be 

 towards the white race, and the red blood may become so diluted as to 

 scarcely give traces of its presence either in the complexion or intel- 

 lectual acquirements. Such is the case in parts of the States of Illinois 

 and .Missouri, as well as In Eastern Michigan and other places about 

 the lakes. 



Again, if half-breeds live exclusively among Indians, the reversion 

 will be towards the red type, so that a point is reached when it is im- 

 possible to discriminate between a mixed-blood and a pure-blood native. 

 We And such individuals among the Northwestern tribes, of which they 

 are a component part. Between these extremes is a large middle ground 

 occupied by intermarried mixed-bloods, ranging from quarter white to 

 quarter-red, and including many half-breeds. These true representatives 

 of the race are most numerous on the lied River of the North and the 

 Winnipeg Basin. 



Appellations of French mixed-bloods. — The French mixed-bloods of the 

 Northwest are known under the several names of half-breeds, metis, and 

 bois -brules. Metis is probably derived from the Spanish mestizo, itself 

 traceable to the Latin mixtus. Bois-brule (burnt- wood), an appellation 

 mostly used in the British provinces, is explained by referring to the 

 maternal dialect of a large proportion of half-breeds. In Chippewa they 

 are called Wisahkotewan Mniwak (men partly burned, or half burned), 

 that is, I infer, men tiuged with Indian blood, but not quite burned into 

 the coppery complexion. The usual name of half-breeds used by English 

 and Americans presupposes blood from the paternal and maternal an- 

 cestors, mixed in equal proportion; but, as mentioned before, this is not 

 often the case. The term mixed-blood is too vaguely comprehensive. 

 Metis, when referring to French mixed-bloods, seems the most appro- 

 priate name. The designation of French is often indifferently applied 

 to < tanadians, metis of all grades, and even pure Indians who associate 

 with met is and speak their patois. It should also be stated that in Man- 

 itoba and other places a certain proportion of mixed -bloods, from En- 

 glish and Scotch fathers, bearing such names as Grant, Grey, Suther- 

 land, &c, are classified as French, from their language, religion, and 

 associations, while occasionally such names as Lambert and Parisien are 

 found among English half-breeds. 



III. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION. 



I have endeavored to form a near estimate of the population and as- 

 certain the geographical distribution of the metis. Their uncertain 

 status as to nationality, their wide scattering over large areas, and. the 

 constant shifting of many families from one place to another, make this 

 no easj task. My own observations have been supplemented by infor- 

 mation gathered from missionaries, travelers, and Indianagents and other 



