THE AMERICAN BISON. 35 



with all the luxuries of life which they desire, as they 

 know of none others. The great variety of uses to 

 which they convert the body and other parts of that 

 animal, are almost incredible to the person who has not 

 actually dwelt amongst these people, and closely studied 

 their modes and customs. Every part of their flesh is 

 converted into food, in one shape or other, and on it 

 they entirely subsist. The skins of the animals are 

 worn by the Indians instead of blankets ; their skins, 

 when tanned, are used as coverings for their lodges 

 and for their beds ; undressed, they are used for con- 

 structing canoes, for saddles, for bridles, 1'arrets, lasos, 

 and thongs. The horns are shaped into ladles and 

 spoons; the brains are used for dressing the skins; their 

 bones are used for saddle-trees, for war-clubs, and 

 scrapers for graining the robes; and others are broken 

 up for the marrow fat which is contained in them. The 

 sinews are used for strings and backs to their bows, for 

 thread to string their beads and sew their dresses. The 

 feet of the animals are boiled, with their hoofs, for the 

 glue they contain, for fastening their arrow points, and 

 many other uses. The hair from the head and shoulders, 

 which is long, is twisted and braided into halters, and 

 the tail is used for a fly-brush ." 



Again (vol. ii, p. 138), he says, " I have introduced 

 the skin canoes of the Mandans (of the Upper Missouri), 

 which are made almost round like a tub, by straining 

 a buffalo's skin over a frame of wicker-work, made of 

 willow or other boughs. The woman, in paddling these 

 awkward tubs, stands in the bow, and makes the stroke 

 with the paddle, by reaching it forward in the water, 

 and drawing it to her, by which means she pulls the 



