250 ON THE ETHNOGRAPHY AND PHILOLOGY OF THE 
In Volume I of the Pacific Railroad Reports, by Gov. I. IL. Stevens, Mr. James Doty 
has given an estimate of the numbers of the Blackfeet, from information obtained under 
the most favorable circumstances. 
Bands. Lodges. Population. Warriors. 
Htn@ IOs, 6 6 6 6 6 300 2450 875 
The Blackfeet, . . . . . 250 1750 625 
ING LORAIN; 0 5 6 6 © 6 360 2520 900 
UN BUSES onde ats Mentos 960 6720 2400 
These bands all live in skin tents, like the rest of the prairie tribes, follow the chase for 
a subsistence, and in former years were famous for their war excursions against neigh- 
boring tribes. 
The country they inhabit varies in its natural features from the broad plains east of the 
Missouri to the highlands and undulating hills as we approach the western barrier of the 
Rocky Mountains. That part of it reaching towards the Saskatchewan is a level plain, 
many days’ travel in extent, and nearly destitute of timber. There is an abundance of 
good grass, however, and small lakes supply water to the immense herds of buffaloes that 
are found there in the summer season. ‘These animals seem to prefer the level plains in 
warm weather, approaching the timbered sections in the fall and winter to obtain the 
shelter of woods and hills during the severe cold and deep snows of that season. On this 
account the Indians can provide themselves with food and clothing at all times; for if the 
buffalo remained in the plains during the winter season, they would not be able to procure 
fuel, and certain death would ensue from the intense cold and terrible winds that sweep 
over these broad, naked prairies. 
On the south side of the Missouri, up the Mussel-shell, Judith, or any of the streams 
which take their rise in the mountains in that direction, the face of the country is more 
broken, hilly, and better timbered. ‘Travelling over this district is quite difficult, on ac- 
count of the exceeding ruggedness of the surface, called by the Indians and Canadian 
voyageurs ‘* Bad Lands.” Very good grass is found in this portion in many places, and 
it is a favorite resort for game, on account of the facilities for concealment. Near the 
mountains there is an abundance of wood, water, and grass, for the wild animals, or for 
the horses of the Indian and voyageur. 
The timber of the several rivers running through the Blackfoot country, is chiefly 
cottonwood, and on the hilly portions, several kinds of pine and cedar, with a few quaking 
asps and stinted elms. Along most of the ravines springs up a thick growth of bushes, 
