68 An HiJîoTîcal Journal of 



thinned the Species, by kiiling great Numbers, or that hsi 

 frightening them they have been driven to fome other Country, 

 nothing is more fcarce at prefent. 



In the Southern and V/eflern Parts of Ne^v France, ,on both 

 Of huntin. the f.^^f ^ MiMPPh the moil famous Hunt is 

 Buftaloe ^ that of the Buitaioe, which is performed m 



' ' this Manner: The Hunters range themfelves 



on four Lines, which form a great Square, and begin by fetting 

 Fire to the Grafs and Herbs, which are dry and very high : 

 Then as the Fire gets forwards they advance, ciofing their 

 Lines: The BuiFaloes, which are extremely afraid of Fire, keep 

 flying from it, and at laft iind themfelves fo crouded together, 

 that they are generally every one killed. They fay that a Party 

 feldom returns from hunting without killing Fifteen Fîundred 

 or Tvv^o Thoufand. But left the différent Companies fhould 

 hinder each other, they all agree before they fet out about the 

 Place v/here they intend to hunt. There are alfo fome Penalties 

 appointed againfl thofe who tranfgrefs this Rule, as well as 

 againft thofe who, quitting their Poll, give way to the Beaits 

 to efcape. Thefe Penalties confnl in giving a Right to every 

 Perfon to ftrip thofe who are guilty, and to take away even their 

 Arms, which is the greateil: Affront that can be given to a Sa- 

 vage ; and to pull down their Cabins. The Chiefs are fufcjeâ: 

 to this Penalty, as well as the others, and if any were to endea- 

 vour to exempt them from this Law, it would raife a Civil War 

 amongil them, which would not end foon. 



The Bull, or EufFaloe, of Canada is bigger than curs; his 

 7) r, fui Horns are low, black, and fiiort ; he has a 



ejcription oj e Beard of Hair under his Muzzle, and 



nvild hiiU, or J^uf^ ^ ^^^^^ r^^^.^ ^^^^^ ^.^ ^.^^^^ ^^.^^^ 



'•^^ falls dov7n upon his Eyes, and gives him a 



hideous Look. He has a great Bump upon his Back, which 

 begins at his Hips, and goes increafing up to his Shoulders ; 

 and this Bumxp is covered with Hair, fomething reddifh, and 

 very long ; the reft cf the Body is covered with black Wool, 

 v/hich is much valued. They fay that the Skin of a Buifaloe 

 has eight Pounds of Wool on it. This Animal has a large Chefl, 

 the hind Parts fmall, the Tail very ihoit, and one can (carce fee 

 any Neck it has, but its Head is bigger than that of the European 

 Bulls. He runs away generally at the Sight of any Perfon, and 

 one Dog is enough to make a vv'hole Herd take to a full Gallop. 

 The Baffaloe has a good Smell, and to approach him without 

 being perceived near enough to fnocthim, you muft go -^aBfer- 

 Cîhe Wind. When he is wounded he is furious, and turns upon 

 the Hunters. He is as furious when the Cows have nevv'ly 

 calved. His Fklh is good, but they feldom eat any but that of 



o the 



