140 



number is not ascertained are a timid, inoffen- 

 sive people, and possess an abundance of horses. 



The Aliatans are divided into three bands ; of 

 which there are several subdivisions. 



Aliatans, So-so-na, Snake Indians, or Gens des 

 Serpent, are a very numerous, well disposed peo- 

 ple, inhabiting the Rocky mountains on the head 

 of the Missouri, Yellow Stone, and Plate rivers* 

 This band, is divided into three large tribes, who 

 wander at a considerable distance from each 

 other ; and are called by themselves, So-so-na^ 

 So-so-bu-bar, and I-a-kar. A part of these In- 

 dians live at, and near the falls of the Missouri. 

 They raise a number of horses and mules, and 

 often steal them from the nations who live east 

 of them. These they sell to the Crow Indians | 

 they also carry on a partial trade with Spaniards, 

 from whom they receive many articles of cloth- 

 ing and ironmongery, but the Spaniards never i 

 supply them with warlike instruments. Their: 

 numbers are not known, but are numerous. 



Aliatans of the West, A-li-a-ta, live among the I 

 Rocky mountains, and on the plains at the heads > 

 of the Plate and Arkansas rivers. They have : 

 more intercourse with the Spaniards of New i 

 Mexico, than the Snake Indians, and receive : 

 many articles of merchandise from them ; but j 

 the Spaniards take the precaution not to furnish 

 them with arms, and yet, in their unarmed state, 

 they frequently commit hostilities. They are I 

 said to be very numerous, but the number un-- 



