206 Expedition to the 



the Nu-ga-re, or ground apple, called by the French P amine 

 blanche; a root resembling a long turnip, about the size 

 of a hen's egg, with a rough, thick skin, and hard pith. It 

 is sometimes eaten raw, and has a sweet taste, but is rather 

 dry; or it is dried in the sun, and pulverized ; in this state 

 it furnishes the chief ingredient of an excellent soup. 



The men scatter about in every direction, to reconnoitre 

 the country for enemies and game, but notwithstanding the 

 constant activity of the hunters, the people are often much 

 necessitated for food, previously to their arrival within view 

 of the bisons, an interval of fifteen or twenty days^ 



When at length the highly welcome news is brought, of 

 the proximity of a herd of these animals, the nation proceeds 

 to encamp at the nearest water course. 



The travelling huts, or as they are usually denominated 

 skin lodges, are neatly folded up, and suspended to the pack- 

 saddle of the horse, for the purpose of transportation. The 

 poles intended to sustain it, are at one extremity laid upon 

 the neck of the horse, whilst the opposite end trails upon 

 the ground behind. When pitched, the skin lodge is of a 

 high conic form ; they are comfortable, effectually excluding 

 the rain, and in cold weather a fire is kindled in the centre, 

 the smoke of which, passes off through the aperture in the 

 top ; on one side of this aperture is a small triangular wing 

 of skin, which serves for a cover in rainy weather, and du- 

 ring the rigors of winter to regulate the ascent of the smoke. 

 The door way is a mere opening in the skin, and closed 

 when necessary, by the same material. They are often fan- 

 cifully ornamented on the exterior, with figures, in blue and 

 red paint, rudely executed, though sometimes depicted with 

 no small degree of taste. 



The hunters, who are in advance of the main body on the 

 march, resort to telegraphic signals, from an elevated posi- 

 tion, to convey to the people information respecting their 

 discoveries. If they see bisons, they throw up their robes 



