630 THE BISON. 



sharply-pointed horns, with terrible effect. In disposition it is said to be rather morose 

 and untameable, never having been really domesticated and brought under the domin- 

 ion of man, even when taken at a very early age. 



It is a good swimmer, and is fond of dabbling in water, as well as of rolling itself in 

 certain favored mud-holes which it frequents. For this reason, it is generally found in 

 thickets which border upon marshy land, ponds, or streams, and in consequence causes 

 all experienced travellers to be very cautious how they approach such localities. Its 

 food is various vegetable substances, and it is especially fond of lichens. In spite of its 

 heavy and awkward look, it is sufficiently active and swift, running with considerable 

 speed for a short time, but being unable to prolong the course for many miles. While run- 

 ning, it carries its head very low, placing the nose almost between the fore-feet. 



THE American BISON looks at first sight like an exaggeration of the aurochs, the 

 hair of the body being thicker, more woolly, and more closely curled ; the mane which 

 hangs over the head and shoulders, actually reaching the ground, and the entire aspect 

 of the animal more lowering. 



This creature is only found in Northern America, never appearing north of lat. 33. 

 It gathers together in enormous herds, consisting of many thousand in number, but 

 on account of the continual persecution to which it is subjected by man and beast, its 

 multitudes are rapidly diminishing. The Bison is one of the most valuable of animals 

 to the white hunter as well as to the aboriginal Red Indian, as its body supplies him with 

 almost every necessary of life. 



The flesh of the fat cow Bison is in great repute, being juicy, tender, and well-savored, 

 and possesses the invaluable quality of not cloying the appetite, even though it be eaten 

 with the fierce hunger that is generated by a day's hunting. The fat is peculiarly excel- 

 lent, and is said to bear some resemblance to the celebrated green fat of the turtle. The 

 most delicate portion of the Bison is the flesh that composes the " hump," which gives to 

 the animal's back so strange an aspect ; and the hunters are so fond of this delicacy that 

 they will often slay a magnificent Bison merely for the sake of the hump, the tongue, 

 and the marrow-bones, leaving the remainder of the body to the wolves and birds. The 

 pieces of hump-flesh that are stripped from the shoulders are technically called " fleeces," 

 and sometimes weigh as much as a hundred pounds. The flesh of the Bison is also 

 made of exceeding value to voyagers and travellers by being converted into " pemmican," 

 a curious kind of preparation, which to the eye closely resembles tarred oakum, but which 

 is composed of the dried fibres of Bison beef. " Jerked " beef is also made from 

 this animal, the meat being cut into long thin strips, and hung in the sunshine until 

 black, dry, and almost as hard as leather. 



The hide is greatly valued both by Indians and civilized men, for the many purposes 

 which it fulfils. From this hide the Indian makes his tents, many parts of his dress, 

 his bed, and his shield. For nearly the whole of these uses the skin is deprived of hair, 

 and is so dressed as to be impervious to water, and yet soft and pliable. The shield 

 is very ingeniously made by pegging out the hide upon the ground with a multitude of 

 little wooden skewers round its edge, imbuing it with a kind of glue, and gradually 

 removing the pegs in proportion to the consequent shrinking and thickening of the skin. 

 One of these shields, although still pliable, is sufficiently strong to resist an arrow, and 

 will often turn a bullet that does not strike it fairly. 



Sometimes the Bison is the means of saving the hunter from the terrible death of 

 thirst, for it oftentimes happens that the prairie-men find themselves parched with 

 thirst in the midst of vast plains, without a drop of water in their vessels, and no 

 stream within a long day's journey. Under these circumstances, they would inevitably 

 die, were it not that they know how to have recourse to certain natural fountains 

 which are never entirely empty. The Bison has the power of taking a large amount 

 of water into its body, and depositing it in the " reticulum," or cells of the honey-comb 

 department of the stomach, until it shall be needed for use. The hunters, therefore 

 are not long at a loss for materials wherewith to quench their thirst as long as a Bison 

 is in sight, but slay the animal at once for the sake of the water which they know will 

 be found in the usual situation. 



