86 [NDIANS OF THE PLAINS 



In general, it appears thai in the Plain-, traits of 



material culture fall within geographical rather than 

 linguistics] and political boundaries. While all cultural 

 traits seem to show the same tendency, this is most 

 pronounced in material culture. Thus, from the point 

 of view of this chapter the Plains-Cree may merit a 

 place in the typical group, but in some other respects 

 hold an intermediate position. All the other tribes with- 

 out exception manifest some important traits of material 

 culture found in other areas. 



In part the causes for the observed greater uniformity 

 in material culture seem to lie in the geographical 

 environment, since food, industries, and some house- 

 hold arts are certain to be influenced by the character 

 of the materials available. This, however, cannot be the 

 whole story, for pottery clay is everywhere within easy 

 reach, yet the typical tribes were not potters. They 

 also wanted not the opportunities to learn the art from 

 neighboring tribes. It seems more probable that cer- 

 tain dominant factors in their lives exercised a selec- 

 tive influence over the many cultural traits offered at 

 home and abroad, thus producing a culture well adapted 

 to the place and to the time. 



