M \ I ESR] \l. I i i.i i i;i 



61 



known but it has been credited t<> the Kastern Dakota, 

 Hidatsa, and Mandan. The Blackfoot sometimes used 



it in winter, but laid flat upon the ground. 



Buckskin was prepared in the same manner as among 

 the forest tribes. The tribes of the western plains 'were 

 especially skilful in coloring the finished skin by smok- 

 ing. There were many slight variations in all the 

 above process >>. 



Fig. 21. Hide Scrapers. 



The adze-like scraper was in general use throughout 

 the Plains and occurs elsewhere only among bordering 

 tribes. Hence, it is peculiar to the buffalo hunting 

 tribes. The handle w r as of antler, though occasionally 

 of wood, and the blade of iron. Information from some 

 Blackfoot and Dakota Indians indicates that in former 

 times the blades were of chipped stone, but the chipped 

 scraper found in archaeological collections from the 

 Plains area cannot be fastened to the handle in the 

 same manner as the iron blades, the latter being placed 

 on the inner, or under side, while the shape of the 



