BUFFALO AND SKIN HUNTERS. 21 



report of firearms for thunder, or other electrical 

 phenomena, which are exceedingly common on the 

 plains. The eyesight of the buffalo was never very 

 keen, and it may be that the masses of shaggy hair 

 that overhung his brows impeded his vision; but 

 however this may be, provided a man did not show 

 himself too openly, and took care to approach the 

 herd from the leeward side, so that they could not 

 catch his wind, buffalo seldom took fright at mere 

 sounds, of which they knew not the import; but pre- 

 ferred to manoeuvre round, until they obtained its 

 wind, after which they immediately made off. In the 

 chapters on hunting and shooting these matters will 

 be more fully discussed ; and we shall not fail to show 

 how exceedingly keen was the sense of smell in these 

 great animals, who almost always, in common with 

 many others, trusted to their nose to give timely 

 warning of the approach of enemies. 



In passing from this subject however we think it 

 desirable to mention that the name " buffalo " is in 

 this case apt to offend the ears of the scientific natur- 

 alist, because he regards him as a " bison " (Bos Ameri- 

 canus) and not as a " buffalo ; " nevertheless we bow 

 to public opinion, and still continue to speak of him 

 as "buffalo," for as "buffalo" we have hunted him, 

 as " buffalo " he was known all- over the hunting 

 grounds of the great west, and as " buffalo " he will 

 live in story for the story of the wild buffalo, and 

 his wild companion the Red Indian, is one which we 

 venture to predict will live on throughout the ages, 

 when the name of the last buffalo hunter has been 

 for ever forgotten. 



And here, though the subject is perhaps not strictly 



