322 ANTHROPOLOGY. 



Religion. — Tn religion, the melis are Roman Catholic almost to a man. 

 They inherited their creed from their fathers, and through all the vicis- 

 situdes of a hard life cling to it with great fondness and tenacity. 



On account of their remoteness and scattered condition, many have 

 been, and still are, cut off from religious instruction, but there must be 

 few who never heard the voice of the missionary. As early as IS is, 

 Canadian priests were ministering to them on the Eed River, and, to- 

 day, ;i band of zealous missionaries, under the direction of Archbishop 

 Tachc, of Saint Boniface, preach the Christian faith to Indians and mentis 

 alike, at numerous missions, from Lake Winnipeg to British Columbia, 

 and nearly to the mouth of the McKenzie River. 



Education. — The education of the m6tis varies according to their means 

 and opportunities. It may be said, in a general way, that their innate 

 love of roving freedom indisposes them greatly to the restraint and con- 

 finement of school life. The children are naturally apt and intelligent 

 scholars, but seem incapable of the sustained application which the 

 study of books requires. The little influence and authority of the mother 

 over the boys is regretable, as, in the absence of the father, often called 

 away by the necessities of his life, no coercion is brought to bear upon 

 them, and they find it easier to play than to learn. Wherever schools 

 have been opened in their midst a majority of the children are sent to 

 them, but their attendance is often irregular and seldom continued long. 

 As if is, however, the result is already gratifying and promises well of 

 the next generation. Of the present it may be said that in the British 

 Possessions and the remote Western States the great majority of adults 

 can neither read nor write. 



A French weekly paper is published at Winnipeg in the interest of 

 the me i is. 



VII. 



PHYSIQUE. 



The mentis are of middle stature, well proportioned, with dark com- 

 plexion, regular features, and open, pleasing countenance, smiling more 

 readily than it frowns. The peculiarities of the Indian face, such as 

 salient cheeks, hooked nose, semi-lunar profile, i&C, can often be no- 

 ticed, but are very much softened, and in many individuals unapparent. 

 The hands and feet are small and neatly shaped. The muscles con- 

 cerned in locomotion are well developed, but the whole body is rather 

 slender and free from all superfluous flesh. Their complexion, gener- 

 ally tawny, varies greatly in its shades from quasi-coppery to pure white. 

 Many, in color and cast of features, bear a striking resemblance to the 

 border Mexicans. The women are fairer than the men, somewhat pale 

 and sallow; some have a skin as white and delicate as that of any Eu- 

 ropean lady. They are well featured and comely; I have seen among 

 them -iris with faces of classic beauty. 



The men. Indian-like, are beardless and cultivate longhair. They are 



