68 JACK RABBITS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



jack rabbits bring $2 apiece, and they have been shipped to various 

 points in the United States and Canada, and even to England. Last 

 winter (1894-95), between 200 and 300 were furnished to the St. Louis 

 Coursing Association alone. 



SKINS. 



Rabbit skins are used iu greater quantities than those of any other 

 animals except the true fur-bearing mammals. At present skins of 

 jack rabbits have little commercial value, and no attempt appears to 

 be made to utilize them on a large scale. It seems strange that where 

 the animals are slaughtered in such numbers the skins are not made 

 to yield a fair profit, as is done with those of other species. Their use 

 for fur seems to be restricted mainly to the Indians. 



The Piutes and other tribes of the Great liasin formerly relied to a 

 considerable extent on the rabbit for furnishing their scanty supply of 

 clothing, and in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah killed large numbers of 

 jack rabbits for this purjjose. 



Says Bancroft in speaking of the Iiulians of this region: "On the 

 barren plains of Nevada, where there is no large ganu% the rabbit fur- 

 nishes the only clothing. The skins are sewn together in the form of a 

 cloak, whidi is thrown over the shoulders, or tied about the body with 

 thongs of the same. In warm weather, or when they can not obtain 

 rabbit skins, men, women, and children are, for the most part, in a state 

 of nndity.'' (Native Races of the Pacific States, I, 1S74, pp. 423-424.) 



Mr. Vernon Bailey, chief fiehl naturalist of the division, who has 

 traveled extensively in this region an<l seen the robes in use among 

 the Indians, has kindly contributed the following notes: 



A jjood robe serves an ludiaii both for clotbiiij; and for bedding. It is exceed- 

 ingly ligbt, soft, and warm, and is easily carried in a small roll on the horse or in 

 the iiack when not in nse. A Pinte with an old shirt, a pair of breeches, moccasins, 

 and one of these robes is well eqnipped for traveling, even in cold weather. In the 

 wickiup the robe is thrown down .mil serves as a seat during the day and for a bed 

 at night. 



Hobes of .jack rabbit skins are coiuniou articles of clothing among the Piute and 

 M(diavc Indians. I have seen Ihuui among tlie Pyramid Lake Indians, the I'iutes in 

 Kecse Itivcr Valley. Xevjida, and the Moliavis at Fort .Mohave, .\ri/,. They are usually 

 6 or 7 feet square, large enough to wrap around the body and entirely cover the 

 person. They are made of twisted strips of Jack rabbit skins laid parallel close 

 together and fastened at short intervals with strings. The skins, apparently, are 

 not tanned, but the robes are as soft and pliable as a blanket, and by twisting the 

 strijjs the fur is thrown on both sides. Tlie.se robes are generally valued at $(> to $8* 

 but tlie Indians seem reluctant to ])art witli them. One old Mohave upon being 

 asked to sell his robe, refused, saying: " Me no make "em. Ilualapai make 'em, me 

 buy "em." 



Jack rabbits were doubtless used also by the Indians of California, 

 althongh to a less extent. The Miwok, a tribe whose territorry 

 extended from the crest of the Sierra Nevada to the San Joacjuin 

 Kiver, and from the Cosumnes to the Fresno in a part of the Sau Joa- 



