316 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
The common and usual filling for snowshoes is the so-called 
gut more property known as babiche. Animal rawhide with the hair 
removed is soaked in water, cut around and around with a knife to 
the size required, stretched, dried and rolled into balls ready for use. 
In the better kinds of babiche the parchment is treated so as to make 
it clear and transparent. Seal thong, twisted thong and sinew are 
used for the same purpose. 
It is known that snowshoes were in existence long before the 
whites appeared in America, but very little definite information can 
be given as to their form and finish. It is reasonable to suppose that 
the form types were about the same then as now but that the principal 
development in finish and neatness has occurred since the time of the 
whiteman, for with the introduction of the steel knife and axe it can 
easily be seen that much could be done in the way of improvements. 
A study of old French archives for information upon this point would 
be of historical interest and importance. | 
Having given a description of the various types of the Canadian 
Snowshoe, it is perhaps not out of place to say something about its 
use and application. Some people know the snowshoe simply from 
the sporting point of view and can recall pleasant evenings spent in 
that way, but nothing more. Many of us, however, know it from 
the true point of view as a means—in fact the only means—of travel- 
ling about in the wilds during the winter season. 
Looking at the question from this point of view the Canadian 
Snowshoe is of national importance and it has materially aided and 
hastened the development of our country. It has been used in a 
military way, in an exploring way, in an engineering way and in 
the ordinary avocations of life. 
In a military way the snowshoe was largely used in the early 
history of Canada, first in the border wars between the Hurons and 
Algonquins who were Allies of the French, and the Iroquois who were 
Allies of the British, and afterwards between the French and the 
Iroquois and the French and the British. 
In the Huron Iroquois War which lasted for nearly 100 years and 
which resulted in the scattering and practical extermination of the 
Hurons, the snowshoe was largely used in winter forays, and several 
notable examples are given. 
Ville Marie near Montreal was raided by the Iroquois in the 
winter of 1644 and the fort was nearly captured. The Indians who 
used snowshoes in the attack were defeated by Maisonneuve after 
a fierce fight, and had to retreat. 
In the winter of 1649 the Iroquois undertook an expedition against 
various Huron Mission Towns near the site of the City of Orillia, 
