214 



SYSTEMS OF CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY. 



in the territory of Colorado in what was formerly the extreme western part of Kan- 

 sas. With the Arapahoes, a kindred people, they are now geographically discon- 

 nected from the Algonkin nations, the Dakotas occupying the intermediate area. 

 Their first seat tends to show that far back of the historical period, the Algonkin 

 area extended westward from the head of Lake Superior beyond the head-waters 

 of the Mississippi ; and that the regions afterwards occupied by the Dakotas proper 

 were wrested, as elsewhere suggested, from the Algonkin nations. Among the 

 number thus displaced, were the Shiyans certainly, and probably the Arapahoes 

 and Ahahnelins (Gros Ventres of the Prairie). If we should seek among the 

 Mississippi nations, the nearest congeners of the Shiyans and Arapahoes, the 

 Menominees and Shawnees will be found to make the nearest approach to them in 

 their dialects. The annexed comparative Table, taken in connection with the 

 terms of relationship, shows more or less affinity, although the amount of dialectical 

 change is very great. 1 



First Indicative Feature. My brother's son and daughter, Ego a male, are my 

 son and daughter, Na and Na-turi ' . With Ego a female, they are my nephew and 

 niece, Na-chin'e-ta and Ne-she'-mis. 



Second. My sister's son and daughter, Ego a male, are my nephew and niece. 

 With Ego a female, they are my son and daughter. 



The invasion of the Sioux [Dakotas] drove them westward ; in their progress they halted on the 

 western side of the Missouri, below the Wasseconne, where their ancient fortifications still exist ; but 

 the same impulse again drove them to the heads of the Cheyenne, where they now rove, and occa- 

 sionally visit the Rickarees. They are now reduced, but still number three hundred men." Travels, 

 p. 70. 



1 COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY. 



