40 ST NICOTINE 



Among the continental tribes, however, smoking instru- 

 ments were found which, in variety of form, originaHty of 

 design, and skilful execution, equal the best productions of 

 Europe ; indeed, they have to the present day served as 

 models for the rest of the world. Those who, inspired by 

 Cooper born-ideals of the noble savage in his native wilds, 

 long for a sight of real Indian life, unspoiled by contact with 

 civilised man, will now look in vain across the American 

 continent. The Indian, to his sorrow, soon learnt the vices 

 of the white man who, by craft and arms, ousted him from 

 his heritage. Occasionally, however, far up the Mississippi 

 valley, or on the confines of the Canadian forests, the desire 

 may, to some extent, be appeased. The observer may with 

 admiration note the fine physique, the strongly marked 

 physiognomy, the untrammelled freedom of these primitive 

 lords of the land. Old chiefs may be seen gravely smoking 

 by their wigwams, while reclining against the trunk of a 

 fallen tree and discussing among themselves the prospects 

 of war or peace, or perhaps congratulating themselves on the 

 accession to their numbers of some neighbouring tribe. A 

 little way off young warriors are furbishing up arms for the 

 chase, or war as may be. Others are elaborately orna- 

 menting with carving and paint their curious tobacco pipes, 

 some of wood with long stems adorned with feathers, some 

 cut out from the treasured red pipe-stone brought from the 

 mountain quarry. Economy of the precious weed is not 

 overlooked, and the inner bark of the red willow is peeled 

 into fine shavings and when dried over a low fire is mixed 

 with the tobacco leaves. Their tobacco pouches well filled 

 they may start on the chase or the war path, assured that 

 they are well provided with refreshment for many days. 



Europe, however, is indebted to Oviedo for the most 

 intelligent account of the tobacco plant, and the method 



