Rocky Mountains. 121 



upheld by the pillars of the two series, and are of sufficient length 

 to reach nearly to the summit. These poles are very numer- 

 ous, and, agreeably to the position which we have indicated, 

 they are placed all round in a radiating manner, and support 

 the roof like rafters. Across these are laid long and slender 

 sticks or twigs, attached parallel to each other by means of 

 bark cord ; these are covered by mats made of long grass, 

 or reeds, or with the bark of trees ; the whole is then cover- 

 ed completely over with earth, which, near the ground, is 

 banked up to the eaves. A hole is permitted to remain in the 

 middle of the roof to give exit to the smoke. Around the 

 walls of the interior, a continuous series of mats are suspend- 

 ed ; these are of neat workmanship, composed of a soft reed, 

 united by bark cord, in straight or undulated lines, between 

 which, lines of black paint sometimes occur. The bedsteads 

 are elevated to the height of a common seat from the ground, 

 and are about six feet wide ; they extend in an uninterrupted 

 line around three-fourths of the circumference of the apart- 

 ment, and are formed in the simplest manner of numerous 

 sticks, or slender pieces of wood resting at their-ends on cross 

 pieces, which are supported by short notched or forked posts, 

 driven into the ground ; bison skins supply them with a com- 

 fortable bedding. Several medicine or mystic bags are careful- 

 ly attached to the mats of the wall, these are cylindrical, and 

 neatly bound up ; several reeds are usually placed upon 

 them, and a human scalp serves for their fringe and tassels. 

 Of their contents we know nothing. 



" The fireplace is a simple shallow cavity, in the centre of 

 the apartment, with an upright and a projecting arm for the 

 support of the culinary apparatus. The latter is very simple 

 in kind, and limited in quantity, consisting of a brass kettle, 

 an iron pot, and wooden bowls and spoons ; each person, 

 male as well as female, carries a large knife in the girdle of 

 the breech cloth behind, which is used at their meals, and 

 sometimes for self-defence. During our stay with these In- 

 vol. i. 16 



