341 



CHAPTEE XXX. 



FOOD. 



THE food of the plains Indians consists almost entirely of 

 meat. Some tribes cultivate a little maize, and some- 

 times a few vegetables, pumpkins, melons, &c. All are 

 fond of plums, grapes, and other wild fruits and berries, 

 which are gathered in season, and dried for winter use. 



The Indians on reservations are furnished with flour 

 by the Indian Department, but not in sufficient quantities 

 to enable them to have their ' daily bread.' 



Every animal, bird, or reptile serves by turn the 

 Indian appetite. The entrails of birds and animals are 

 a special ban bouche. The smaller are eaten raw 

 and warm with animal heat. As soon as a deer or 

 antelope is killed it is opened, and the successful hunter 

 betakes himself to what, to him, is the most perfect 

 repast ; nor is he satisfied until its bowels, stomach, liver, 

 and not unfrequently heart and lungs, have all disap- 

 peared before his astounding appetite. The liver of a 

 very fat buffalo or elk will not unfrequently become 

 granulated and broken up by overheating in a long 

 chase. This, with the contents of the gall bladder 

 sprinkled over it as sauce, is the most delicious morsel 

 that can titillate an Indian palate. A Pawnee Indian, a 

 special friend of mine, once brought and presented me 

 with several pounds of this stuff tied up in a handker- 

 chief, and was greatly disappointed and mortified that 1 

 did not swallow it at once. The smaller entrails of the 

 larger animals are also eaten raw. 



