BISON* 337 



Hunting the bison. 



covers their eyes. In taking aim, they direct 

 their piece to the hollow of their shoulder, by 

 which means they generally bring them down at 

 one shot. 



With the natives of Canada the hunting of 

 the bison is a very common employment. They 

 draw up in a large square, and commence their 

 operations by setting fire to the grass, which, at 

 certain seasons, is very long and dry. As the 

 fire spreads, they advance, closing their ranks as 

 they proceed. The animals, alarmed by the 

 light, gallop confusedly about till they are so 

 completely hemmed in, that frequently not a sin- 

 gle one is able to escape. 



In Louisiana the hunters mount on horseback, 

 each being armed with a sharp crescent-pointed 

 spear. They approach with the wind, and, as soon 

 as the animals smell them, they retreat with the 

 utmost precipitation ; but the sight of the horses 

 moderates their fear, and the greater part of 

 them, from their luxuriant feeding, are, at cer- 

 tain times of the year, so fat and unwieldy, as 

 easily to be enticed to slacken their pace. As 

 soon as the men overtake them, they endeavour 

 to strike the crescent just above the ham, in such 

 a manner as to divide the tendons, and thus ren- 

 der them an easy prey. 



In several parts of South America, the hunting 

 of these animals commences with a sort of festi- 

 val, and ends in an entertainment in which one 

 of their carcases supplies the only ingredient. 



NO. VIII. 2 U 



