a.76 Expedition to the 



term particularly specified. Females, during the periods of*, 

 their catiimcnia, are excluded from society, aiid comp' lied 

 even to sleep apart from their tamiiies, in small tents or lodg- 

 es constructed fcr their use. 



Dancing is common amongst them, both as a devotional 

 exercise, and an amusement. 1 heir i/esturi-b on both tjcta- 

 sions are similar, except that on the tormcr they art •*€- 

 companied by solemnit) , and on the latter by cheerlulne.ss, 

 and are characterized by extraordinary uncouthness rainir 

 than by gracefulness. No ribaldry, however, or tricks oi buf- 

 foonery are practised on these occasions; on the contrary, 

 their deportment is uniformly accordant with their ideas of 

 decorum. This exercise is invariably accompanied by sing- 

 ing, or a kind ot chanting, in whic.*"! the women, who are ge- 

 nerally excluded from a participation in the former, perform 

 their part. Their music consists in a succession of tones, of 

 equal intervals, accompanied by occasional elevations and 

 depressions of the voice. The modulaiions with which it is 

 variegated, are by no means melodious; the voices of all the 

 chanters move in unison, and appear to utter the same aspira- 

 tions. The same series of sounds appears to be common to 

 the chanting oflill the tribes. 



The foregoing are among the most common features in the 

 general character of the western Indians. Although in a re- 

 gion so extensive as that inhabited by them, and amongst so 

 great a variety of tribes and nations, a considerable diversity 

 of character is to be expected and admitted, yet it is believed 

 that the traits above considered are common to the whole as 

 a race of barbarians. And, although the shades of barbarism in 

 which they are enveloped, uniformly exclude the light of ci- 

 vilization, yet it is not to be presumed that they are equally 

 dark and malignant in all cases. 



IX. — Of the Mississippi^ Missouri^ and Ohio rivers, 



I trust it will not be deemed improper on this occasion, to 

 offer a few remarks upon the character of these rivers, em- 

 bracing more particularly the condition of' their navigation. 



The causes heretofore alleged as giving occasion to a di- 

 versity of soil within the vallies of the western rivers, have 

 an effect also in giving character to their channels or beds. 

 For example, the banks near the mouths of the rivers, being 

 composed of' a fine, unctuous, and adhesive alluvion, are 

 less liable to crumble and wash away, and constitute a more 

 permanent barrier to resist the force of the current than those 



