DIVISIONS OF THE BLACKFEET. 



157 



THE BLACKFEET. 



Mr. James Doty, who resided for many years in the 

 country of the Blackfeet, and who is acquainted with a 

 large portion of that nation, gave the following boun- 

 daries of their country and estimate of the numbers of 

 the people to Governor Stevens in 1853.* The country 

 in which they reside and hunt is bounded as follows : 

 " By a line beginning on the north, where the 50th 

 parallel crosses the Eocky Mountains, thence east on said 

 parallel to the 106th meridian, thence south to the head- 

 waters of the Milk Eiver, down said river to the Missouri, 

 up the Missouri to the mouth of the Judith, thence up the 

 Judith to its source in the Eocky Mountains, and north 

 along their base to the place of beginning." 



The country between the Missouri and the headwaters 

 of the Yellowstone is unoccupied. It is the war road 

 of the Blackfeet to and from the Crows, Flatheads, and 

 Snakes. It may also be considered as a transient hunt- 

 ing-ground of the Flatheads, who hunt buffalo there for a 

 time in the fall. 



The Blackfeet nation is divided into four distinct tribes 

 or bands, whose names, numbers, and localities f are as 

 follows : — 



Lodges. 



The Blackfeet . . .250 

 The Blood % . . .350 

 ThePiegans . . .350 

 The Gros Ventres . . 3G0 



Total . . . 1310 



* Explorations and Surveys for a Eailroad Koute from the Mississippi to 

 the Pacific, p. 443. 



f The country occupied by these tribes is evidently more extensive than 

 supposed by Mr. Doty ; their permanent lodges are foimd far beyond the 

 limits given in the text. 



$ Called by the half-breeds " Bloodies." 



Population. Warriors. 



1750 625 



2450 875 



2450 875 



2520 900 



9170 3275 



