NORTH AMERICA 



54-7 



necessaries of life. In the census of 1880 the 

 number of Indians depending upon the bison in 

 the territories under the United States Govern- 

 ment was given as 74,758, of which 30,501 were 

 Sioux. But this enumeration took no account 

 of many thousands of Indians settled in the 

 Indian Territory and other districts of the south- 

 west, who drew a large supply of meat and robes 

 from the chase of the buffalo, notwithstanding 

 the fact that they had been induced by Govern- 

 ment to take extensively to agriculture. Within 

 the territories of the Dominion Government 

 there wore likewise hosts of natives depending 

 upon that animal; and in the winter of 1886-87 

 many of these suffered severe privation, owing to 

 the unexpected cutting off of their supplies by 

 the bison's extermination. 



For more than half a century the chase of 

 the bison by the Indians of the prairies was con- 

 ducted on horseback; the slaughter of the former 

 animal being accomplished at first by bows and 

 arrows, but in later years with firearms. In 1766 

 Carver describes some of the Indians hunting the 

 bison, but makes no mention of the employment 

 of horses, although these were already in the 

 possession of some of the tribes. Lewis and 

 Clark refer to the Teton Sioux as being well- 

 known horse-stealers in 1804, and it was about 

 this date that some of the Algonquians acquired 

 this animal, which was in common use among 

 the Siouans in 1832. It is noteworthy that the 

 Dakota name for the horse is the equivalent of dog, with an affix indicating size, sacredness, 

 or mystery. 



While the men were in the field hunting or fighting, the squaws remained at home to 

 do the work of the camp, such as cooking, dressing hides, making clothes and baskets, 

 preparing dried meat (pemmican), or building coracles. Among those tribes who cultivated 

 maize and vegetables, this work also fell to the women's share. 



To the moral and intellectual character of the North American Indians space admits of 

 only the briefest reference. A reserved and moody temperament is highly characteristic of 

 the typical North American Indian, who on all occasions endeavours to preserve an impassive 

 external demeanour, which is often maintained even while undergoing intense bodily agony. 

 It is considered, however, that this outward show of dignity is in most cases due rather to 

 ostentation and vanity than to innate pride. It must not, however, be supposed that Indians 

 never laugh; when among their own family, they do so heartily. Cruelty of disposition to 

 their enemies is also a distinctive trait, although this was much more noted among the tribes 

 to the east of the Mississippi than in those beyond. Towards one another, and especially 

 towards the women and children, a kindly and affectionate disposition was displayed by the 

 members of a tribe, although never in a demonstrative manner. Intellectually the North 

 American Indian may be ranked below his Mongol cousin; the development of his intellect 

 seeming to become arrested after childhood. They appreciate music, the usual instruments 

 being the rattle, flute, and drum; the latter among the Siouans being a skin bottle or bag 

 of water. It appears that the North American Indians invented a flageolet of hard wood or 



By permission of the Field Columbian Mu* 

 A HOPI BRIDE. 



