i^ii-aoBE] TAXOXOMIC LIST OF PLANTS 



61 



have been overgrazed until tlie original balance of ve-etation Ins 

 been destroyed by the unnatural competition in.luced amon- the 

 native species as well as by the added competitive factor of Tntro- 

 duced species. Thus many pasture lands may now be seen in which 

 hard and bitter species, such as SoUdago rv/Ua and Vernoiiia 

 fascimlata, not desired by grazing animals, have inordinately in- 

 creased. Not only have some species of the natural prairie "flora 

 been thus decreased and others increased, but the woodland flora 

 has been considerably augmented not only by artificial planting, 

 but also by attendant protection of the natural increase, which' 

 protection lias been in some instances intentional and in others only 

 coincidental. 



The introduction and dissemination of species by human agency 

 in aboriginal time has been discussed already. It remains to notice 

 the human factor in depletion of certain species and augmentation 

 of others prior to European advent. Probably the chief means 

 emploj^ed by the tribes, affecting the floral balance, was that of 

 fire. Their habit of firing the grasslands was effective in retarding 

 the advance of woodland with all its associate flora and very 

 probably even drove back the forest line and exterminated some 

 :u-eas which, previous to any human occupancy, had been possessed 

 by forest growth. 



TAXOXOMIC LI.ST OF PLAXTS USED BY INDIANS OF 

 THE MISSOURI EIVEE REGION • 



PrOTOPHYCEAE and ZT(iOPirTCEAE 



Without specification of genera or even of orders it is sufficient 

 to say that a green stain for decoration of implements made of 

 wood was obtained from masses of the green aquatic \egetation pop- 

 ularly known as "jiond scum " or " frog spit." The green substance 

 iLsed by the people of the tribes for the purpose of making a green 

 stain, obtained by them from sluggish streams and ponds, doubtless 

 consisted of colonies of ProfoccK-eus, Ulothrix, Chaetophora-, Spiro- 

 gyra, etc. 



AOARICACEAE 



PLErROTus ULMARius Bull. Eliu Cap. 



This fungns is used for food by the tribes acquainted with it. 

 When young and tender it is most delicious. It grows in decayed 

 spots on Acer negundo and TJhrms sp. The writer discovered its use 

 for food among the people of the Dakota Nation. Some women were 

 gathering it in a grove of boxelder near the place where the Cannon- 

 ball River flows into the Missouri River, and they gave information 



' See glossary of plant namos, p. 139. 



