222 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



unavailing regret, that the world now contains 

 only few and imperfect remains of the lost 

 races, of which we have our sole knowledge 

 through the researches and profound deduc- 

 tions of geologists ; and even though our knowl- 

 edge of the osteology of the more recently ex- 

 terminated species be sufficient to place them 

 before our " mind's eye," we have no description 

 and no figures of the once living and moving, 

 but now departed possessors of these woods, 

 plains, mountains and waters in which, ages ago, 

 they are supposed to have dwelt. Let us how- 

 ever hope, that our humble eJBforts may at least 

 enable us to perpetuate a knowledge of such 

 species as the Giver of all good has allowed to 

 remain with us to the present day. And now 

 we will endeavour to give a good account of the 

 majestic bison. 



In the days of our boyhood and youth, buf- 

 faloes roamed over the small and beautiful prai- 

 ries of Indiana and Illinois, and herds of them 

 stalked through the open woods of Kentucky 

 and Tennessee ; but they had dwindled down 

 to a few stragglers, which resorted chiefly to the 

 "Barrens," towards the years 1808 and 1809, 

 and soon after entirely disappeared. Their range 

 has since that period gradually tended westward, 

 and now you must direct your steps " to the In- 

 dian countrj^," and travel many hundred miles 



