Rocky Mountains. 221 



This expedition continues until the month of April, when 

 they return to their village as before stated, loaded with pro- 

 visions. 



It is during this expedition that they procure all the skins, 

 of which the bison robes of commerce are made; the ani- 

 mals at this season having their perfect winter dress, the hair 

 and wool of which are long and dense. 



The process of preparing the hides for the traders falls to 

 the lot of the squaws. Whilst in the green state they are 

 stretched and dried as soon as possible, and, on the return ot 

 the nation to the village, they are gradually dressed during 

 the intervals of other occupations. The hide is extended up- 

 on the ground; and with an instrument resembling an adze, 

 used in the manner of our carpenters, the adherent por- 

 tions of dried flesh are removed, and the skin rendered much 

 thinner and lighter than before. The surface is then plastered 

 over with the brains or liver of the animal which have been 

 carefully retained for the purpose, and the warm broth of 

 meat is also poured over it. The whole is then dried, after 

 which it is again subjected to the action of the brains and 

 broth, then stretched in a frame, and while still wet, scraped 

 with pumice-stone, sharp stones, or hoes, until perfectly 

 dry. Should it not yet be sufficiently soft, it is subjected to 

 friction, by pulling it backwards and forwards over a twisted 

 sinew. This generally terminates the operation. On the com- 

 mencement of the process, the hides are almost invariably each 

 divided longitudinally into two parts, for the convenience of 

 manipulation, and when finished they are again united by 

 sewing with sinew. This seam is almost always present in 

 the bison robe, but one of the largest that we have seen, is 

 used as a covering for one of our humble beds at this can- 

 tonment, and has been dressed entire, being entirely desti- 

 tute of a seam. 



The brain of an animal, is sufficient to dress its skin, and 

 some persons make two thirds of it suffice for that purpose. 



