ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 175 



Bannecks, and very far inferior to that fine, noble-looking race, 

 the Kayouse, whom wc met on the Grand ronde. 



A custom prevalent, and almost universal amongst these In- 

 dians, is that of flattening, or mashing in the whole front of the 

 skull, from the superciliary ridge to the crown. The appearance 

 produced by this unnatural operation is almost hideous, and one 

 would suppose that the intellect would be materially affected by 

 it. This, however, does not appear to be the case, as I have 

 never seen, (with a single exception, the Kayouse,) a race of 

 people who appeared more shrewd and intelligent. I had a con- 

 versation on this subject, a few days since, with a chief who 

 speaks the English language. He said that he had exerted him- 

 self to abolish the practice in his own tribe, but although his peo- 

 ple would listen patiently to his talk on most subjects, their ears 

 weie firmly closed when this was mentioned ; " they would leave 

 the council fire, one by one, until none but a few squaws and 

 children were left to drink in the words of the chief." It is even 

 considered among them a degradation to possess a round head, 

 and one whose caput has happened to be neglected in his infancy, 

 can never become even a subordinate chief in his tribe, and is 

 treated with indifference and disdain, as one who is unworthy a 

 place amongst them. 



The flattening of the head is practiced by at least ten or twelve 

 distinct tribes of the lower country , the Klikatats, Kalapooyahs, 

 and Multnomahs, of the Wallarnmet, and its vicinity ; the Chi- 

 nooks, Klatsaps, Klatstonis, Kowalitsks, Katlammets, Killemooks, 

 and Chekalis of the lower Columbia and its tributaries, and pro- 

 bably by others both north and south. The tribe called Flat- 

 heads, or Salish, who reside near the sources of the Oregon, 

 have long since abolished this custom. 



The mode by which the flattening is effected, varies consider- 

 ably with the different tribes. The Wallarnmet Indians {dace 

 the infant, soon afier birth, upon a board, to the edges of which 



