Rocky Mountains. 471 



The eye is small, black, and piercing; the horns, which are 

 black and remarkably robust at base, curve outward and up- 

 ward, tapering rapidly to the tip. The profile of the face is 

 somewhat convexly curved, and the superior lip, on each 

 side, papillous within, is dilated and extended downward so 

 as to give a very oblique appearance to the lateral rictus or 

 gape of the mouth, considerably resembling, in this respect, 

 the ancient architectural bas-reliefs representing the heads of 

 the ox. The physiognomy is menacing and ferocious, and 

 the whole aspect of the animal is sufficiently formidable to 

 influence the spectator, who is, for the first time, placed near 

 him in his native wilds, with certain feelings which indicate 

 the propriety of immediate attention to personal safety. 



The bison cow bears the same relation, as to appearance, 

 to the bull, that the domestic cow does to her mate; she is 

 smaller, with much less hair on the anterior part of her body, 

 and though she has a conspicuous beard, yet this appendage 

 is comparatively short; her horns also are much less robust 

 and not partially concealed by hair. 



The dun colour prevails on the coat of the bison, but the 

 long hair of the anterior part of the body, with the excep- 

 tion of the head, is more or less tinged with yellowish or 

 rust colour. The uniformity of colour, however, amongst 

 these animals is so steadfast, that any considerable devia- 

 tion from the ordinary standard is regarded by the natives 

 as effected under the immediate influence of the Divinity. 



A trader of the Missouri informed us that he had seen a 

 grayish-white bison, and that another, a yearling calf, was 

 distinguished by several white spots on the side, and by a 

 white frontal mark and white tore feet. 



Mr. J. Dougherty saw in an Indian hut, a bison head, 

 very well prepared, which had a white star on the front; the 

 owner valued it highly, calling it his great medicine; he 

 could not be tempted to part with it, " for," said he, " the 

 herds come every season into the vicinity to seek their white- 

 faced companion." 



