THE INTERIOR OF OREGON. 475 



returns, and brings them the usual round of food. Like all savages, 

 they are improvident, and take no thought whatever for the future.' 

 They are as prodigal in all other things as in their domestic eco- 

 nomy, and frequently waste articles that might be quite useful if taken 

 care of: their health suffers from the same cause. Notwithstanding, 

 in all their usual concerns they are not devoid of sagacity, and frequent 

 their different fishing-places and root-grounds regularly in the season, 

 and follow the same mode of changing their residences, as has been 

 heretofore noticed when speaking of the Nisqually tribe. They use 

 in general the simple rush mats on poles for their tents in summer, 

 which, with the few necessaries they have, are readily moved from 

 place to place, on their horses. In this way, they pursue a regular 

 round, and are to be found in the returning season, very near the 

 same spot, if not actually on it. They ought, I think, to be deemed 

 a wandering or nomadic race. 



As far as our observations have gone,— and they have been con- 

 firmed by some of the intelligent officers of the Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany,— the Flatheads or Spokane tribe, hold an intermediate place, 

 in their physical attributes, between the Indians of the coast and 

 those of the Rocky Mountains. In stature and proportions, they are 

 superior to the Lower Chinooks and Chickeeles tribe ; but inferior 

 to the Nez Perces. In bodily strength, they have been found much 

 inferior to the whites. 



Their usual dress is a shirt, leggins of deer-skin, and moccasins ; 

 all of which are much ornamented with fringes and beads. They 

 wear a cap or handkerchief of some sort on their head : these, with 

 a blanket, form their summer clothing; in winter, a buffalo-robe is 

 added. 



This tribe can scarcely be said to be under any general govern- 

 ment; at least it is certain that none is regulariy organized or acknow- 

 ledged. They appear now to roam in small bands, as may best suit 

 their temporary convenience; but these join for mutual support 

 against their more powerful enemies, the Pikani or Blackfeet. In 

 bygone days, these small tribes contended against each other with 

 great bitterness ; but by the beneficial influence exercised over them 

 by the Hudson Bay Company, they have been induced to live together 

 in peace, and intermarriages among the tribes now frequently take 

 place ; in which case, it is said, that the husband almost invariably 

 joins the tribe to which his wife belongs, under the idea that among 

 her own family and friends she will be better able to provide for her 



