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for winter transport among the Mackenzie River tribes and the 
Algonkians and Iroquoians of the eastern woodlands. In its place 
the plains’ Indians substituted a peculiar contrivance called a travois, 
wliich doubtless originated from tlic custom, still common among the 
Eskimos, of fastening the tent-]:)oles to the packs of the dogs. The 
travois consisted of two long poles lashed one on each side of the dog, 
and supporting a bag-net behind it for the reception of small articles. 
Wlien dogs were replaced by horses in later years, the Blackfoot, 
Sarcee, and Assimboine transported in these peculiar vehicles not 
7345S 
'J'lu' lioiHc tl'ilvois of tlie jiliiius. (Pliolo hi/ ( 'n iiadiit ii Xniuntui Raihrai/s.) 
only their tents and other possessions but even women and children. 
The dog travois of pre-European times, however, was small and low, 
capable of bearing not more than thirty-five or fifty pouiuls. 
The travois provided transport for both winter and summer, sleds 
and tol}oggans for winter only. Tlie Eskimo raised a special breed 
of sled-dog, a rather large animal with pointed ears and a bushy tail 
curled backward. The Indians had several breeds, none quite as 
large as the Eskimo dog; indeed, one of the commonest varieties in 
the Mackenzie basin was little bigger than a fox. A dog of 
.S6a.w— 8 
