456 HYBRIDITY AND ABSORPTION 



diverse races of tlie Old and New World on tlie continent of America; 

 and now that the peculiar circumstances which favoured this result 

 have come to an end, it is important to note the most striking phases 

 presented by it, before they are modified or effaced by the influx of 

 European emigration. 



A few years since I printed and circulated as widely as possible, a 

 set of queries relative to the Indian and Half-breed population both 

 of Canada and the Hudson's Bay territory ; and from the returns 

 made to me by Hudson's Bay factors, missionaries, and others, most 

 of the following results are derived. The number of the settled 

 population, either Half-breed or more or less of Indian blood, in Red 

 River and the surrounding settlements was stated to be about 7,20.0; 

 but it will be seen from the definite facts of a more recent census, as 

 well as from other ofiicial information, that this constituted only 

 one class of the Half-breed population of the North-west. • The 

 intermaiTiage there has been chiefly with Indian women of the 

 plain Crees ; though alliances also occur with the Swampies (another 

 branch of the Crees), and with Sioux, Chippewa, and Blackfeet 

 women. But the most noticeable differences are traceable to the 

 White paternity. The French Half-breeds have more demonstra- 

 tiveness and vivacity ; but they are reported to take less readily to 

 the steady drudgery of the farm than those of Scotch descent. But 

 at best, the temptations of a border settlement, with its buffalo hunts 

 and its chief market for peltries, must greatly intei"fere with the 

 develo^Dment of industrious habits common in old settled agricultural 

 communities. 



A few of the special facts ascertained as the result of my researches 

 may be noted here. The Half-breeds are a large and robust race, , 

 with greater powers of endurance than the native Indian. Mr. S. J. 

 Dawson, of the Red River Exploring Expedition, speaks of the 

 Fi'ench Half-breeds as a gigantic race as compared with the French 

 Canadians of Lower Canada. Professor Hind refers in equally stroiig 

 language to their great physical powers and vigorous muscular 

 development ; and the venerable Archdeacon Hunter, of Red River, 

 replies in answer to my inquiry : " In what respects do the Half- 

 breed Indians differ from the pure Indians as to habits of life, courage, 

 strength, increase of numbers, etc. '] " — " They are superior in every 

 respect, both mentally and physically." Much concurrent evidence 

 points to the fact that the families descended from mixed parentage 



