1877.] 95 tHoffman. 



are still found, unless the resident Dakotas have been on a hunt, 

 when few escape unless they take to the surrounding prairie. The 

 prairie is undulating, and at times hilly, destitute of wood (except 

 small quantities in the ravines and washes leading down to the tim- 

 bered bottoms) but covered with short grass, frequently with grease- 

 wood {Oblone canescens), sage brush (Artemisia canadensis), cactus 

 (Opuntia missouriense), etc. The western horizon is bounded by a 

 range of bluffs, the more elevated peaks of which are frequently used 

 by the Dakota Indians for signal stations. 



To most of the following named species are added the local names 

 in Dakota, the Tetonwan dialect of that language being generally 

 spoken around the Agency. The italicized n is nasal; ich is sounded 

 as in German nicht ; vowels as in Continental languages generally. 



FELID^E. 



1. Felis COneolor Linn. American Panther. In-mu-tan'-ka. 

 Occasional specimens are captured in the oak groves on Oak 



Creek. The skins are seldom brought 'to the trader's store to ex- 

 change, as they are valued by the Indians in the manufacture of 

 quivers. 



2. Lynx rufus Raf. Bay Lynx ; Wild Cat. In-mu-cho'-ta. 

 This species is of frequent occurrence throughout the valleys. A 



large specimen was shot within half a mile of the Post, where she 

 had been watching for her prey near a beaver dam. 



CANIDiE. 



3. Canis lupus var. occidentalis Allen. Gray Wolf; Tim- 

 ber Wolf. Shun'-ka-to-ki'-tcha. 



Rather abundant, and is usually found in the wake of a pack of 

 coyotes. The coloration varies greatly, in fact so much so, that dif- 

 ferent local names are applied to the same species on that account. 

 It is frequently the case that a pedestrian will meet these animals 

 along the coulees, and on firing at them, if they are not hit, they will 

 remain in one position until their curiosity is satisfied, when they will 

 walk off deliberately and slowly. This, however, is not the case 

 when they are hungry, at which time they become extremely fierce 

 and bold. They have been known to enter the Indian villages at 

 night and attack the dogs. 



4. Canis latrans Say. Prairie Wolf; Coyote. Shu//-ka-mon'- 

 i-tu. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. K. H. — VOL. XIX. 7 AUGUST, 1877. 



