128 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL 77 
in detail, and from the narratives of Catlin and Maximilian, sup- 
plemented by many sketches, it is possible to visualize the primitive 
earth-lodge villages with their many peculiar features. 
Catlin remained among the Mandan for some weeks during the 
year 1832 and wrote at that time: “They have two villages only, 
which are about two miles distant from each other. . . . Their 
present villages are beautifully located, and judiciously also, for de- 
fence against the assaults of their enemies. ‘The site of the lower 
(or principal) town, in particular is one of the most beautiful and 
pleasing that can be seen in the world, and even more beautiful than 
imagination could ever create. In the very midst of an extensive 
valley (embraced within a thousand graceful swells and parapets or 
mounds of interminable green, changing to blue, as they vanish in 
distance) is built the city, or principal town of the Mandans.” This 
was evidently the lower village, the first encountered when ascend- 
ing the Missouri, the Matootonha of Lewis and Clark, and Mih- 
tutta-hangusch of Maximilian. Describing the position of this town, 
Catlin continued: “The ground on which the Mandan village is at 
present built, was admirably selected for defence; being on a bank 
forty or fifty feet above the bed of the river. The greater part of 
this bank is nearly perpendicular and of solid rock. The river, sud- 
denly changing its course to a right-angle, protects two sides of the 
village, which is built upon this promontory or angle; they have 
therefore but one side to protect, which is effectually done by a strong 
piquet, and a ditch inside of it, of three or four feet in depth. The 
piquet is composed of timbers of a foot or more in diameter, and 
eighteen feet high, set firmly in the ground at sufficient distances 
from each other to admit of guns and other missiles to be fired be- 
tween them. The ditch . . . is inside of the piquet, in which 
their warriors screen their bodies from the view and weapons of their 
enemies.” (Catlin, (1), I, pp. 80-81.) This is followed by a de- 
scription of the earth-covered lodges, “closely grouped together, 
leaving but just room enough for walking and riding between them.” 
Outside they appeared to be made.entirely of earth, but entering he 
was surprised “to see the neatness, comfort, and spacious dimensions 
of these earth-covered dwellings.” ‘The structures varied in size, 
some being 40, others 60 feet in diameter. All were of a circular 
form with the floors 2 feet or more below the original surface. “In 
the centre, and immediately under the sky-light is the fire-place, a 
hole of four or five feet in diameter, of a circular form, sunk a foot 
or more below the surface, and curbed around with stone. Over the 
fire-place, and suspended from the apex of diverging props or poles, 
is generally seen the pot or kettle, filled with buffalo meat; and 
around it are the family, reclining in all the most picturesque atti- 
