BISON, OR, AMERICAj^BUFFALa 121 



and strong, but the croup is comparatively more feeble. A fleshy 

 hump rises on the withers between the two shoulders; this wen, 

 the distinctive characteristic of the Bison, is regarded by the 

 Indians as a luscious morsel. His head is large ; his horns round, 

 short, almost straight, and set wide apart at the base. A thick, 

 curly wool of a brownish black colour, which in winter, grows 

 very long, covers his head, neck, and shoulders, while the rest of 

 his body is furnished with smooth black hair. His skin is very 

 thick and spongy, like that of the Buffalo. Although heavy in 

 appearance, he is swift of foot ; he is savage, but may be tamed 

 if taken young. 



17. The flesh is juicy, and well flavoured. The skin makes an 

 excellent blanket when dressed ; and the wool has in England 

 been manufactured into a fine cloth. Pemmican is made of the 

 flesh and fat of the American Buffalo. 



18. "The Bison wanders constantly from place to place, either 

 from being disturbed by hunters, or in quest of food. They are 

 much attracted by the soft tender grass, which springs up after a 

 fire has spread over the prairie. In winter, they scrape away 

 the snow with their feet, to reach the grass. The Bison is, in 

 general, a shy animal, and takes to flight immediately on wind- 

 ing an enemy, which the acuteness of its sense of smell enables 

 it to do from a great distance. They are less wary when they 

 are assembled together in numbers, and will often blindly follow 

 their leaders, regardless of, or trampling down the hunters posted 

 in their way. It is dangerous for the hunter to shew himself 

 after having wounded one, for it will pursue him, and, although 

 its gait may appear heavy and awkward, it will have no great 

 difficulty in overtaking the fleetest runner. One of the Hudson 

 Bay Company's clerks was descending the Saskatchewan in a 

 boat, and having one evening pitched his tent for the night, he 

 went out in the dusk to look for game. It had become nearly 

 dark when he fired at a Bison bull which was galloping over a 

 small eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if his 

 shot had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. 

 He had the presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair 

 on its forehead, as it struck him on the side with its horns, and 

 being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a struggle ensued, 

 which continued till his wrist was severely sprained, and his 

 arm rendered powerless. He then fell, and, after receiving two 

 or three blows, became senseless. Shortly after, he was found 

 by his companions, lying bathed in blood, being gored in several 



17. To what purpose is the Bison applied ? 



18. Is the Bison at all times a savage animal? 



