1877.] 101 [Hoffman. 



the skull. The Indian who had worn it as a charm informed me 

 that both horns were alike. For a sketch of the specimen, see Pro- 

 ceedings of the Zoological Society of London, Nov. 2, 1875. 



36. Ovis montana Cuv. Bighorn ; Kocky Mountain Sheep. 

 There is no doubt that this animal was at one time common along 



the bluffs of the Missouri River. I have frequently found partially 

 decayed horns in the washes and coulees in the vicinity of the Post. 

 Horns are often brought in by the Indians, but they secure them 

 either in the Mauvaises Terres, or still further west. Old skins are 

 often seen in the Indian settlement, but I have not observed any re- 

 cently cured specimens. 



37. Bos americanus Gmelin. American Bison; "Buffalo." 

 Ta-ton'-ka. 



This animal disappeared from this portion of the Missouri Valley 

 about 1869. Since that time they have gradually made^ their course 

 of migration further west, until now they are seldom found nearer 

 than from four hundred and fifty to five hundred miles. The inter- 

 vening country is filled with old trails. In the summer of 1870 two 

 old bulls strayed eastward, until they got within ten miles of the 

 Agency. Several hundred Indians immediately started out, each 

 hoping to reach them first. 



At rare intervals individuals are found having an exceedingly soft, 

 fine skin ; these are known as " silk robes," and are valued at about 

 three huridred dollars. Black robes are found, though very rarely. 

 Melanism may be considered common when compared with the cases 

 of total albinism. 



" Grease," Chief of the Cut-Head band of Sioux, is the possessor 

 of a white robe. It is worn by him as a cloak, while the cuttings 

 and odd pieces were made into a cap. 



The number of Dakotas registered at the Agency, was thirteen 

 thousand five hundred ; five thousand drew rations regularly, while 

 eight thousand five hundred were " hostiles." The resident Indians 

 used many robes themselves, and during the year had but from two 

 to three hundred to exchange at the trader's. The " hostiles," who 

 do most of the hunting, took in one year (1872-73) over thirteen 

 thousand robes to Fort Peck, where they received, at that time, one 

 Winchester rifle for three hundred robes, making the weapon worth 

 about two thousand dollars. 



The Medical Director of the Department of Dakota informed me 

 that he was positive that the epidemic of small-pox which broke out 



