222 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
unavailing regret, that the world now contains 
only few and imperfect remains of the lost 
-races, of which we have our sole kx owledge 
through the researches and profound deduc- 
tions of geologists ; and even though our knowl- 
edge of: the osteology of the more recently ex- 
terminated species be sufficient to place them 
before our “ mind’s eye,” we have no description 
and no figures of the once living and moving, 
but now departed possessors of these woods, 
plains, mountains and waters i: which, ages ago, 
they are supposed to have dwelt. Let us how- 
ever hope, that our humble efforts may at least 
enable us to perpetuate a knowledge of such 
species as the Giver of all good has allowed to 
remain with us to the present day. And now 
we will endeavour to give a good account of the 
majestic bison. 
In the days of our boyhood and youth, buf- 
faloes roamed over the small and beautiful prai 
ries of Indiana and Illinois, and herds of them 
stalked through the open woods of Kentucky 
and Tennessee; but they had dwindled down 
« a few stragglers, which resorted chiefly to the 
“Barrens,” towards the years 1808 and 1809, 
and soon after entirely disappeared. Their range 
has since that period gradually tended westward, 
and now yoa must direct your steps “ to the In- 
dian country,” and travel many hundred miles 
