THE SKIN.— VENISON.— ALIMENT. 41 



THE SKIN. 



Notwithstanding Sir John Richardson informs us that the skin 

 of this antelope is of no value as an article of trade, and although 

 I learn that at the present day it is not prized by the traders, I 

 must say that I have several skins of this animal tanned by the 

 Indians, which are remarkable for their whiteness, softness, elas- 

 ticity, and tenacity. In all these respects, except in strength, 

 they are superior to the skin of the deer, in which respect the 

 latter may have a slight preference. I have no doubt it is a very 

 excellent article for wash-leather, i-ivaling the skin of the chamois 

 for this purpose. I cannot be mistaken in the identity of the 

 skins which I have, for enough of the hair remains around the 

 edges and on the tail to fix their identity beyond dispute. I 

 have had the skins tanned with the hair on for i-obes. Although 

 pliant and warm, the hair is so fragile that thej' are of little value 

 for this purpose. 



VENISON. 



Although Richardson informs us that the Indians -will only eat 

 the flesh of the antelope when other meat fails them, I know of 

 no one wlio has tasted it that has failed to find it a delicate and 

 choice morsel, which is much relished by the invalid. At Chey- 

 enne and Laramie, travelers bj' the Pacific road enjoy their ante- 

 lope chops very much, manj^ preferring it to the flesh of the deer 

 and the buffalo, — all of which are there provided in abundance. 

 It is dark colored, fine grained and very tender, with an agreeable 

 flavor. It is not as nutritious as the flesh of the deer, and espe- 

 cially of the elk. If used as a constant diet one soon cloys of it 

 and desires no more. After almost living upon it for two weeks, 

 I quite forgot how much I enjoyed it at first, and agreed with 

 Richardson's Indians, and rejoiced at the change to the flesh of 

 the deer and the buffalo. This meat, however, needs to be well 

 dressed with butter to develop its prime excellences and fine 

 flavor, even at the first, for broiled without accessaries it is rather 

 dry. If butter is not at hand then fat pork or bear's grease will 

 do very well as a substitute, but something softer than tallow is 

 quite necessary to its full enjoyment. 



ALIMENT. 



Antilocapra Americaiia is not only a vegetarian, but is strictly 

 an herbaceous feeder, avoiding arboreous food if left to his own 



