422 EXPEDITION TO THE 



them. The Dacotas do not profess, as the Potawatomis 

 do, to have been acquainted with the preparation of sugar 

 from the sap of the maple tree previous to their intercourse 

 with white traders. Their food is usually prepared by 

 boiling it in iron pots, which they procure from the traders, 

 and as far as we have observed, they appear to prefer their 

 meat well done. In their degree of cleanliness they vary 

 much, some being far more particular than others. The 

 Dacotas may upon the whole be considered as not very un- 

 cleanly ; and, as far as relates to their persons, they attend 

 much to this particular. They had no substitute for ardent 

 spirits, and were completely unacquainted with intoxica- 

 tion previous to their intercourse with Europeans. 



Of their divisions of time it is difficult to obtain correct 

 information. The interpreters, even the most intelligent, 

 are so prone to connect their own opinions with those of 

 the Indians, that they can scarcely be trusted in this parti- 

 cular. We have not been able, however, to trace among 

 them any idea of the lost moon, ascribed to them by Car- 

 ver. The following division of the year was furnished by 

 Renville, and is added, though we place but little confi- 

 dence in its accuracy, at least as having been in use among 

 the Indians previous to their intercourse with white men. 

 They are said to divide the year into twelve moons, com- 

 mencing with the September one, and distinguishing them 

 as follows. (We signifies moon.) 



September, Wajopi we, Commencement of wild rice. 



October, Siushtaupi we, End of wild rice. 



November, Takehuha we. Rutting deer. 



December, Tahechapshon we, Deer shedding its horn. 



January, We tarhe. Hard moon. 



February, Wechata we, Raccoon. 



March, Wishta wasa we. Sore-eye. 



