DECREASE OF THE BUFFALO. 213 
sides sustenance for the numerous travellers 
and trappers who range upon their grazing 
regions. Were they only killed for food, how- 
ever, their natural increase would perhaps re- 
plenish the loss: yet the continual and wan- 
ton slaughter of them by travellers and hunt- 
ers, and the still greater havoc made among 
them by the Indians, not only for meat, but 
often for the skins and tongues alone (for 
which they find a ready market among their 
traders), are fast reducing their numbers, and 
must ultimately effect their total annihilation * 
rom the continent. It is believed that the 
annual ‘export’ of buffalo rugs* from the Prai- 
ries and bordering ‘ buffalo range,’ is about a 
hundred thousand: and the number killed 
wantonly, or exclusively for meat, is no doubt 
still greater, as the skins are fit to dress scarcely 
the year. The vast extent of the prairies 
upon which they now pasture is no argument 
against the prospect of their total extinction, 
when we take into consideration the extent of 
country from which they have already disap- 
peared ; for it is well known, that, within the 
recollection of our oldest pioneers, they were 
nearly as abundant east of the Mississippi as 
they now are upon the western prairies; and 
from history we learn, that they once ranged 
to the Atlantic coast. Even within thirty 
years, they were abundant over much of the 
present States of Missouri and Arkansas; yet 
they are now rarely seen within two hundred 
miles of the frontier. Indeed, upon the high 
* Often, but it would seem improperly, called « buffalo robes.’ 
