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continue the text below | The town
of Kearney, in south central Nebraska, may fairly be considered the
geographical center of distribution of the species, as it originally
existed, but ever since 1800, and until a few years ago, the center of
population has been in the Black Hills of southwestern Dakota.
| Between the Rocky Mountains and the States lying along the Mississippi
River on the west, from Minnesota to Louisiana, the whole country was
one vast buffalo range, inhabited by millions of buffaloes. |
continue the text below | Between the Rocky Mountains and the States lying along the Mississippi
River on the west, from Minnesota to Louisiana, the whole country was
one vast buffalo range, inhabited by millions of buffaloes. | One could
fill a volume with the records of plainsmen and pioneers who penetrated
or crossed that vast region between 1800 and 1870, and were in turn
surprised, astounded, and frequently dismayed by the tens of thousands
of buffaloes they observed, avoided, or escaped from. |
continue the text below | One could
fill a volume with the records of plainsmen and pioneers who penetrated
or crossed that vast region between 1800 and 1870, and were in turn
surprised, astounded, and frequently dismayed by the tens of thousands
of buffaloes they observed, avoided, or escaped from. | They lived and
moved as no other quadrupeds ever have, in great multitudes, like grand
armies in review, covering scores of square miles at once. |
continue the text below | They lived and
moved as no other quadrupeds ever have, in great multitudes, like grand
armies in review, covering scores of square miles at once. | They were so
numerous they frequently stopped boats in the rivers, threatened to
overwhelm travelers on the plains, and in later years derailed
locomotives and cars, until railway engineers learned by experience the
wisdom of stopping their trains whenever there were buffaloes crossing
the track. |
continue the text below | They were so
numerous they frequently stopped boats in the rivers, threatened to
overwhelm travelers on the plains, and in later years derailed
locomotives and cars, until railway engineers learned by experience the
wisdom of stopping their trains whenever there were buffaloes crossing
the track. | On this feature of the buffalo's life history a few detailed
observations may be of value.
|
continue the text below | On this feature of the buffalo's life history a few detailed
observations may be of value.
| Near the mouth of the White River, in southwestern Dakota, Lewis and
Clark saw (in 1806) a herd of buffalo which caused them to make the
following record in their journal:
|
continue the text below | Near the mouth of the White River, in southwestern Dakota, Lewis and
Clark saw (in 1806) a herd of buffalo which caused them to make the
following record in their journal:
| "These last animals [buffaloes] are now so numerous that from an
eminence we discovered more than we had ever seen before at one time;
and if it be not impossible to calculate the moving multitude, which
darkened the whole plains, we are convinced that twenty thousand would
be no exaggerated number. |
continue the text below | "These last animals [buffaloes] are now so numerous that from an
eminence we discovered more than we had ever seen before at one time;
and if it be not impossible to calculate the moving multitude, which
darkened the whole plains, we are convinced that twenty thousand would
be no exaggerated number. | "
When near the mouth of the Yellowstone, on their way down the Missouri,
a previous record had been made of a meeting with other herds:
"The buffalo now appear in vast numbers. |
continue the text below | "
When near the mouth of the Yellowstone, on their way down the Missouri,
a previous record had been made of a meeting with other herds:
"The buffalo now appear in vast numbers. | A herd happened to be on their
way across the river [the Missouri]. |
continue the text below | A herd happened to be on their
way across the river [the Missouri]. | Such was the multitude of these
animals that although the river, including an island over which they
passed, was a mile in length, the herd stretched as thick as they could
swim completely from one side to the other, and the party was obliged to
stop for an hour. |
continue the text below | Such was the multitude of these
animals that although the river, including an island over which they
passed, was a mile in length, the herd stretched as thick as they could
swim completely from one side to the other, and the party was obliged to
stop for an hour. | They consoled themselves for the delay by killing four
of the herd, and then proceeded till at the distance of 45 miles they
halted on an island, below which two other herds of buffalo, as numerous
as the first, soon after crossed the river. |
continue the text below | They consoled themselves for the delay by killing four
of the herd, and then proceeded till at the distance of 45 miles they
halted on an island, below which two other herds of buffalo, as numerous
as the first, soon after crossed the river. | "[22]
|
continue the text below | "[22]
| [Note 22: Lewis and Clark's Exped., II, p. 395.]
|
continue the text below | [Note 22: Lewis and Clark's Exped., II, p. 395.]
| Perhaps the most vivid picture ever afforded of the former abundance of
buffalo is that given by Col. R. I. Dodge in his "Plains of the Great
West," p. 120, _et seq._ |
continue the text below | Perhaps the most vivid picture ever afforded of the former abundance of
buffalo is that given by Col. R. I. Dodge in his "Plains of the Great
West," p. 120, _et seq._ | It is well worth reproducing entire:
"In May, 1871, I drove in a light wagon from Old Fort Zara to Fort
Larned, on the Arkansas, 34 miles. |
continue the text below | It is well worth reproducing entire:
"In May, 1871, I drove in a light wagon from Old Fort Zara to Fort
Larned, on the Arkansas, 34 miles. | At least 25 miles of this distance
was through one immense herd, composed of countless smaller herds of
buffalo then on their journey north. |
continue the text below | At least 25 miles of this distance
was through one immense herd, composed of countless smaller herds of
buffalo then on their journey north. | The road ran along the broad level
'bottom,' or valley, of the river. |
continue the text below | The road ran along the broad level
'bottom,' or valley, of the river. | * |
continue the text below | * | * *
"The whole country appeared one great mass of buffalo, moving slowly to
the northward; and it was only when actually among them that it could be
ascertained that the apparently solid mass was an agglomeration of
innumerable small herds, of from fifty to two hundred animals, separated
from the surrounding herds by greater or less space, but still
separated. |
continue the text below | * *
"The whole country appeared one great mass of buffalo, moving slowly to
the northward; and it was only when actually among them that it could be
ascertained that the apparently solid mass was an agglomeration of
innumerable small herds, of from fifty to two hundred animals, separated
from the surrounding herds by greater or less space, but still
separated. | The herds in the valley sullenly got out of my way, and,
turning, stared stupidly at me, sometimes at only a few yards' distance.
|
continue the text below | The herds in the valley sullenly got out of my way, and,
turning, stared stupidly at me, sometimes at only a few yards' distance.
| When I had reached a point where the hills were no longer more than a
mile from the road, the buffalo on the hills, seeing an unusual object
in their rear, turned, stared an instant, then started at full speed
directly towards me, stampeding and bringing with them the numberless
herds through which they passed, and pouring down upon me all the herds,
no longer separated, but one immense compact mass of plunging animals,
mad with fright, and as irresistible as an avalanche.
|
continue the text below | When I had reached a point where the hills were no longer more than a
mile from the road, the buffalo on the hills, seeing an unusual object
in their rear, turned, stared an instant, then started at full speed
directly towards me, stampeding and bringing with them the numberless
herds through which they passed, and pouring down upon me all the herds,
no longer separated, but one immense compact mass of plunging animals,
mad with fright, and as irresistible as an avalanche.
| "The situation was by no means pleasant. |
continue the text below | "The situation was by no means pleasant. | Reining up my horse (which was
fortunately a quiet old beast that had been in at the death of many a
buffalo, so that their wildest, maddest rush only caused him to cock his
ears in wonder at their unnecessary excitement), I waited until the
front of the mass was within 50 yards, when a few well-directed shots
from my rifle split the herd, and sent it pouring off in two streams to
my right and left. |
continue the text below | Reining up my horse (which was
fortunately a quiet old beast that had been in at the death of many a
buffalo, so that their wildest, maddest rush only caused him to cock his
ears in wonder at their unnecessary excitement), I waited until the
front of the mass was within 50 yards, when a few well-directed shots
from my rifle split the herd, and sent it pouring off in two streams to
my right and left. | When all had passed me they stopped, apparently
perfectly satisfied, though thousands were yet within reach of my rifle
and many within less than 100 yards. |
continue the text below | When all had passed me they stopped, apparently
perfectly satisfied, though thousands were yet within reach of my rifle
and many within less than 100 yards. | Disdaining to fire again, I sent my
servant to cut out the tongues of the fallen. |
continue the text below | Disdaining to fire again, I sent my
servant to cut out the tongues of the fallen. | This occurred so
frequently within the next 10 miles, that when I arrived at Fort Larned
I had twenty-six tongues in my wagon, representing the greatest number
of buffalo that my conscience can reproach me for having murdered on any
single day. |
continue the text below | This occurred so
frequently within the next 10 miles, that when I arrived at Fort Larned
I had twenty-six tongues in my wagon, representing the greatest number
of buffalo that my conscience can reproach me for having murdered on any
single day. | I was not hunting, wanted no meat, and would not voluntarily
have fired at these herds. |
continue the text below | I was not hunting, wanted no meat, and would not voluntarily
have fired at these herds. | I killed only in self-preservation and fired
almost every shot from the wagon. |
continue the text below | I killed only in self-preservation and fired
almost every shot from the wagon. | "
At my request Colonel Dodge has kindly furnished me a careful estimate
upon which to base a calculation of the number of buffaloes in that
great herd, and the result is very interesting. |
continue the text below | "
At my request Colonel Dodge has kindly furnished me a careful estimate
upon which to base a calculation of the number of buffaloes in that
great herd, and the result is very interesting. | In a private letter,
dated September 21, 1887, he writes as follows:
"The great herd on the Arkansas through which I passed could not have
averaged, _at rest_, over fifteen or twenty individuals to the acre, but
was, from my own observation, not less than 25 miles wide, and from
reports of hunters and others it was about five days in passing a given
point, or not less than 50 miles deep. |
continue the text below | In a private letter,
dated September 21, 1887, he writes as follows:
"The great herd on the Arkansas through which I passed could not have
averaged, _at rest_, over fifteen or twenty individuals to the acre, but
was, from my own observation, not less than 25 miles wide, and from
reports of hunters and others it was about five days in passing a given
point, or not less than 50 miles deep. | From the top of Pawnee Rock I
could see from 6 to 10 miles in almost every direction. |
continue the text below | From the top of Pawnee Rock I
could see from 6 to 10 miles in almost every direction. | This whole vast
space was covered with buffalo, looking at a distance like one compact
mass, the visual angle not permitting the ground to be seen. |
continue the text below | This whole vast
space was covered with buffalo, looking at a distance like one compact
mass, the visual angle not permitting the ground to be seen. | I have seen
such a sight a great number of times, but never on so large a scale.
|
continue the text below | I have seen
such a sight a great number of times, but never on so large a scale.
| "That was the last of the great herds. |
continue the text below | "That was the last of the great herds. | "
With these figures before us, it is not difficult to make a calculation
that will be somewhere near the truth of the number of buffaloes
actually seen in one day by Colonel Dodge on the Arkansas River during
that memorable drive, and also of the number of head in the entire herd.
|
continue the text below | "
With these figures before us, it is not difficult to make a calculation
that will be somewhere near the truth of the number of buffaloes
actually seen in one day by Colonel Dodge on the Arkansas River during
that memorable drive, and also of the number of head in the entire herd.
| According to his recorded observation, the herd extended along the river
for a distance of 25 miles, which was in reality the width of the vast
procession that was moving north, and back from the road as far as the
eye could reach, on both sides. |
continue the text below | According to his recorded observation, the herd extended along the river
for a distance of 25 miles, which was in reality the width of the vast
procession that was moving north, and back from the road as far as the
eye could reach, on both sides. | It is making a low estimate to consider
the extent of the visible ground at 1 mile on either side. |
continue the text below | It is making a low estimate to consider
the extent of the visible ground at 1 mile on either side. | This gives a
strip of country 2 miles wide by 25 long, or a total of 50 square miles
covered with buffalo, averaging from fifteen to twenty to the acre.[23]
Taking the lesser number, in order to be below the truth rather than
above it, we find that the number actually seen on that day by Colonel
Dodge was in the neighborhood of 480,000, not counting the additional
number taken in at the view from the top of Pawnee Rock, which, if
added, would easily bring the total up to a round half million!
|
continue the text below | This gives a
strip of country 2 miles wide by 25 long, or a total of 50 square miles
covered with buffalo, averaging from fifteen to twenty to the acre.[23]
Taking the lesser number, in order to be below the truth rather than
above it, we find that the number actually seen on that day by Colonel
Dodge was in the neighborhood of 480,000, not counting the additional
number taken in at the view from the top of Pawnee Rock, which, if
added, would easily bring the total up to a round half million!
| [Note 23: On the plains of Dakota, the Rev. Mr. Belcourt (Schoolcraft's
N. A. Indians, IV, p. 108) once counted two hundred and twenty-eight
buffaloes, a part of a great herd, feeding on a single acre of ground.
|
continue the text below | [Note 23: On the plains of Dakota, the Rev. Mr. Belcourt (Schoolcraft's
N. A. Indians, IV, p. 108) once counted two hundred and twenty-eight
buffaloes, a part of a great herd, feeding on a single acre of ground.
| This of course was an unusual occurrence with buffaloes not stampeding,
but practically at rest. |
continue the text below | This of course was an unusual occurrence with buffaloes not stampeding,
but practically at rest. | It is quite possible also that the extent of
the ground may have been underestimated.]
|
continue the text below | It is quite possible also that the extent of
the ground may have been underestimated.]
| If the advancing multitude had been at all points 50 miles in length (as
it was known to have been in some places at least) by 25 miles in width,
and still averaged fifteen head to the acre of ground, it would have
contained the enormous number of 12,000,000 head. |
continue the text below | If the advancing multitude had been at all points 50 miles in length (as
it was known to have been in some places at least) by 25 miles in width,
and still averaged fifteen head to the acre of ground, it would have
contained the enormous number of 12,000,000 head. | But, judging from the
general principles governing such migrations, it is almost certain that
the moving mass advanced in the shape of a wedge, which would make it
necessary to deduct about two-third from the grand total, which would
leave 4,000,000 as our estimate of the actual number of buffaloes in
this great herd, which I believe is more likely to be below the truth
than above it.
|
continue the text below | But, judging from the
general principles governing such migrations, it is almost certain that
the moving mass advanced in the shape of a wedge, which would make it
necessary to deduct about two-third from the grand total, which would
leave 4,000,000 as our estimate of the actual number of buffaloes in
this great herd, which I believe is more likely to be below the truth
than above it.
| No wonder that the men of the West of those days, both white and red,
thought it would be impossible to exterminate such a mighty multitude.
|
continue the text below | No wonder that the men of the West of those days, both white and red,
thought it would be impossible to exterminate such a mighty multitude.
| The Indians of some tribes believed that the buffaloes issued from the
earth continually, and that the supply was necessarily inexhaustible.
|
continue the text below | The Indians of some tribes believed that the buffaloes issued from the
earth continually, and that the supply was necessarily inexhaustible.
| And yet, in four short years the southern herd was almost totally
annihilated.
|
continue the text below | And yet, in four short years the southern herd was almost totally
annihilated.
| With such a lesson before our eyes, confirmed in every detail by living
testimony, who will dare to say that there will be an elk, moose,
caribou, mountain sheep, mountain goat, antelope, or black-tail deer
left alive in the United States in a wild state fifty years from this
date, ay, or even twenty-five?
Mr. William Blackmore contributes the following testimony to the
abundance of buffalo in Kansas:[24]
|
continue the text below | With such a lesson before our eyes, confirmed in every detail by living
testimony, who will dare to say that there will be an elk, moose,
caribou, mountain sheep, mountain goat, antelope, or black-tail deer
left alive in the United States in a wild state fifty years from this
date, ay, or even twenty-five?
Mr. William Blackmore contributes the following testimony to the
abundance of buffalo in Kansas:[24]
| [Note 24: Plains of the Great West, p. xvi.]
|
continue the text below | [Note 24: Plains of the Great West, p. xvi.]
| "In the autumn of 1868, whilst crossing the plains on the Kansas Pacific
Railroad, for a distance of upwards of 120 miles, between Ellsworth and
Sheridan, we passed through an almost unbroken herd of buffalo. |
continue the text below | "In the autumn of 1868, whilst crossing the plains on the Kansas Pacific
Railroad, for a distance of upwards of 120 miles, between Ellsworth and
Sheridan, we passed through an almost unbroken herd of buffalo. | The
plains were blackened with them, and more than once the train had to
stop to allow unusually large herds to pass. |
continue the text below | The
plains were blackened with them, and more than once the train had to
stop to allow unusually large herds to pass. | * |
continue the text below | * | * * |
continue the text below | * * | In 1872, whilst on a
scout for about a hundred miles south of Fort Dodge to the Indian
Territory, we were never out of sight of buffalo. |
continue the text below | In 1872, whilst on a
scout for about a hundred miles south of Fort Dodge to the Indian
Territory, we were never out of sight of buffalo. | "
Twenty years hence, when not even a bone or a buffalo-chip remains above
ground throughout the West to mark the presence of the buffalo, it may
be difficult for people to believe that these animals ever existed in
such numbers as to constitute not only a serious annoyance, but very
often a dangerous menace to wagon travel across the plains, and also to
stop railway trains, and even throw them off the track. |
continue the text below | "
Twenty years hence, when not even a bone or a buffalo-chip remains above
ground throughout the West to mark the presence of the buffalo, it may
be difficult for people to believe that these animals ever existed in
such numbers as to constitute not only a serious annoyance, but very
often a dangerous menace to wagon travel across the plains, and also to
stop railway trains, and even throw them off the track. | The like has
probably never occurred before in any country, and most assuredly never
will again, if the present rate of large game destruction all over the
world can be taken as a foreshadowing of the future. |
continue the text below | The like has
probably never occurred before in any country, and most assuredly never
will again, if the present rate of large game destruction all over the
world can be taken as a foreshadowing of the future. | In this connection
the following additional testimony from Colonel Dodge ("Plains of the
Great West," p. 121) is of interest:
"The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad was then [in 1871-'72] in
process of construction, and nowhere could the peculiarity of the
buffalo of which I am speaking be better studied than from its trains.
|
continue the text below | In this connection
the following additional testimony from Colonel Dodge ("Plains of the
Great West," p. 121) is of interest:
"The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad was then [in 1871-'72] in
process of construction, and nowhere could the peculiarity of the
buffalo of which I am speaking be better studied than from its trains.
| If a herd was on the north side of the track, it would stand stupidly
gazing, and without a symptom of alarm, although the locomotive passed
within a hundred yards. |
continue the text below | If a herd was on the north side of the track, it would stand stupidly
gazing, and without a symptom of alarm, although the locomotive passed
within a hundred yards. | If on the south side of the track, even though
at a distance of 1 or 2 miles from it, the passage of a train set the
whole herd in the wildest commotion. |
continue the text below | If on the south side of the track, even though
at a distance of 1 or 2 miles from it, the passage of a train set the
whole herd in the wildest commotion. | At full speed, and utterly
regardless of the consequences, it would make for the track on its line
of retreat. |
continue the text below | At full speed, and utterly
regardless of the consequences, it would make for the track on its line
of retreat. | If the train happened not to be in its path, it crossed the
track and stopped satisfied. |
continue the text below | If the train happened not to be in its path, it crossed the
track and stopped satisfied. | If the train was in its way, each
individual buffalo went at it with the desperation of despair, plunging
against or between locomotive and cars, just as its blind madness
chanced to direct it. |
continue the text below | If the train was in its way, each
individual buffalo went at it with the desperation of despair, plunging
against or between locomotive and cars, just as its blind madness
chanced to direct it. | Numbers were killed, but numbers still pressed on,
to stop and stare as soon as the obstacle had passed. |
continue the text below | Numbers were killed, but numbers still pressed on,
to stop and stare as soon as the obstacle had passed. | After having
trains thrown off the track twice in one week, conductors learned to
have a very decided respect for the idiosyncrasies of the buffalo, and
when there was a possibility of striking a herd 'on the rampage' for the
north side of the track, the train was slowed up and sometimes stopped
entirely. |
continue the text below | After having
trains thrown off the track twice in one week, conductors learned to
have a very decided respect for the idiosyncrasies of the buffalo, and
when there was a possibility of striking a herd 'on the rampage' for the
north side of the track, the train was slowed up and sometimes stopped
entirely. | "
The accompanying illustration, reproduced from the "Plains of the Great
West," by the kind permission of the author, is, in one sense, ocular
proof that collisions between railway trains and vast herds of buffaloes
were so numerous that they formed a proper subject for illustration. |
continue the text below | "
The accompanying illustration, reproduced from the "Plains of the Great
West," by the kind permission of the author, is, in one sense, ocular
proof that collisions between railway trains and vast herds of buffaloes
were so numerous that they formed a proper subject for illustration. | In
regard to the stoppage of trains and derailment of locomotives by
buffaloes, Colonel Dodge makes the following allusion in the private
letter already referred to: "There are at least a hundred reliable
railroad men now employed on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad
who were witnesses of, and sometimes sufferers from, the wild rushes of
buffalo as described on page 121 of my book. |
continue the text below | In
regard to the stoppage of trains and derailment of locomotives by
buffaloes, Colonel Dodge makes the following allusion in the private
letter already referred to: "There are at least a hundred reliable
railroad men now employed on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad
who were witnesses of, and sometimes sufferers from, the wild rushes of
buffalo as described on page 121 of my book. | I was at the time stationed
at Fort Dodge, and I was personally cognizant of several of these
'accidents.' |
continue the text below | I was at the time stationed
at Fort Dodge, and I was personally cognizant of several of these
'accidents.' | "
[Illustration: SLAUGHTER OF BUFFALO ON THE KANSAS PACIFIC RAILROAD.
|
continue the text below | "
[Illustration: SLAUGHTER OF BUFFALO ON THE KANSAS PACIFIC RAILROAD.
| Reproduced from "The Plains of the Great West," by permission of the
author, Col. R. I. Dodge.]
|
continue the text below | Reproduced from "The Plains of the Great West," by permission of the
author, Col. R. I. Dodge.]
| The following, from the ever pleasing pen of Mr. Catlin, is of decided
interest in this connection:
"In one instance, near the mouth of White River, we met the most immense
herd crossing the Missouri River [in Dakota], and from an imprudence got
our boat into imminent danger amongst them, from which we were highly
delighted to make our escape. |
continue the text below | The following, from the ever pleasing pen of Mr. Catlin, is of decided
interest in this connection:
"In one instance, near the mouth of White River, we met the most immense
herd crossing the Missouri River [in Dakota], and from an imprudence got
our boat into imminent danger amongst them, from which we were highly
delighted to make our escape. | It was in the midst of the 'running
season,' and we had heard the 'roaring' (as it is called) of the herd
when we were several miles from them. |
continue the text below | It was in the midst of the 'running
season,' and we had heard the 'roaring' (as it is called) of the herd
when we were several miles from them. | When we came in sight, we were
actually terrified at the immense numbers that were streaming down the
green hills on one side of the river, and galloping up and over the
bluffs on the other. |
continue the text below | When we came in sight, we were
actually terrified at the immense numbers that were streaming down the
green hills on one side of the river, and galloping up and over the
bluffs on the other. | The river was filled, and in parts blackened with
their heads and horns, as they were swimming about, following up their
objects, and making desperate battle whilst they were swimming. |
continue the text below | The river was filled, and in parts blackened with
their heads and horns, as they were swimming about, following up their
objects, and making desperate battle whilst they were swimming. | I deemed
it imprudent for our canoe to be dodging amongst them, and ran it ashore
for a few hours, where we laid, waiting for the opportunity of seeing
the river clear, but we waited in vain. |
continue the text below | I deemed
it imprudent for our canoe to be dodging amongst them, and ran it ashore
for a few hours, where we laid, waiting for the opportunity of seeing
the river clear, but we waited in vain. | Their numbers, however, got
somewhat diminished at last, and we pushed off, and successfully made
our way amongst them. |
continue the text below | Their numbers, however, got
somewhat diminished at last, and we pushed off, and successfully made
our way amongst them. | From the immense numbers that had passed the river
at that place, they had torn down the prairie bank of 15 feet in height,
so as to form a sort of road or landing place, where they all in
succession clambered up. |
continue the text below | From the immense numbers that had passed the river
at that place, they had torn down the prairie bank of 15 feet in height,
so as to form a sort of road or landing place, where they all in
succession clambered up. | Many in their turmoil had been wafted below
this landing, and unable to regain it against the swiftness of the
current, had fastened themselves along in crowds, hugging close to the
high bank under which they were standing. |
continue the text below | Many in their turmoil had been wafted below
this landing, and unable to regain it against the swiftness of the
current, had fastened themselves along in crowds, hugging close to the
high bank under which they were standing. | As we were drifting by these,
and supposing ourselves out of danger, I drew up my rifle and shot one
of them in the head, which tumbled into the water, and brought with him
a hundred others, which plunged in, and in a moment were swimming about
our canoe, and placing it in great danger. |
continue the text below | As we were drifting by these,
and supposing ourselves out of danger, I drew up my rifle and shot one
of them in the head, which tumbled into the water, and brought with him
a hundred others, which plunged in, and in a moment were swimming about
our canoe, and placing it in great danger. | No attack was made upon us,
and in the confusion the poor beasts knew not, perhaps, the enemy that
was amongst them; but we were liable to be sunk by them, as they were
furiously hooking and climbing on to each other. |
continue the text below | No attack was made upon us,
and in the confusion the poor beasts knew not, perhaps, the enemy that
was amongst them; but we were liable to be sunk by them, as they were
furiously hooking and climbing on to each other. | I rose in my canoe, and
by my gestures and hallooing kept them from coming in contact with us
until we were out of their reach. |
continue the text below | I rose in my canoe, and
by my gestures and hallooing kept them from coming in contact with us
until we were out of their reach. | "[25]
[Note 25: Catlin's North American Indians, II, p. 13.]
IV. |
continue the text below | "[25]
[Note 25: Catlin's North American Indians, II, p. 13.]
IV. | CHARACTER OF THE SPECIES.
|
continue the text below | CHARACTER OF THE SPECIES.
| 1. _ |
continue the text below | 1. _ | The buffaloes rank amongst ruminants._--With the American people,
and through them all others, familiarity with the buffalo has bred
contempt. |
continue the text below | The buffaloes rank amongst ruminants._--With the American people,
and through them all others, familiarity with the buffalo has bred
contempt. | The incredible numbers in which the animals of this species
formerly existed made their slaughter an easy matter, so much so that
the hunters and frontiersmen who accomplished their destruction have
handed down to us a contemptuous opinion of the size, character, and
general presence of our bison. |
continue the text below | The incredible numbers in which the animals of this species
formerly existed made their slaughter an easy matter, so much so that
the hunters and frontiersmen who accomplished their destruction have
handed down to us a contemptuous opinion of the size, character, and
general presence of our bison. | And how could it be otherwise than that a
man who could find it in his heart to murder a majestic bull bison for a
hide worth only a dollar should form a one-dollar estimate of the
grandest ruminant that ever trod the earth? |
continue the text below | And how could it be otherwise than that a
man who could find it in his heart to murder a majestic bull bison for a
hide worth only a dollar should form a one-dollar estimate of the
grandest ruminant that ever trod the earth? | Men who butcher African
elephants for the sake of their ivory also entertain a similar estimate
of their victims.
|
continue the text below | Men who butcher African
elephants for the sake of their ivory also entertain a similar estimate
of their victims.
| With an acquaintance which includes fine living examples of all the
larger ruminants of the world except the musk-ox and the European bison,
I am sure that the American bison is the grandest of them all. |
continue the text below | With an acquaintance which includes fine living examples of all the
larger ruminants of the world except the musk-ox and the European bison,
I am sure that the American bison is the grandest of them all. | His only
rivals for the kingship are the Indian bison, or gaur (_Bos gaurus_), of
Southern India, and the aurochs, or European bison, both of which
really surpass him in height, if not in actual balk also. |
continue the text below | His only
rivals for the kingship are the Indian bison, or gaur (_Bos gaurus_), of
Southern India, and the aurochs, or European bison, both of which
really surpass him in height, if not in actual balk also. | The aurochs is
taller, and possesses a larger pelvis and heavier, stronger
hindquarters, but his body is decidedly smaller in all its proportions,
which gives him a lean and "leggy" look. |
continue the text below | The aurochs is
taller, and possesses a larger pelvis and heavier, stronger
hindquarters, but his body is decidedly smaller in all its proportions,
which gives him a lean and "leggy" look. | The hair on the head, neck, and
forequarters of the aurochs is not nearly so long or luxuriant as on the
same parts of the American bison. |
continue the text below | The hair on the head, neck, and
forequarters of the aurochs is not nearly so long or luxuriant as on the
same parts of the American bison. | This covering greatly magnifies the
actual bulk of the latter animal. |
continue the text below | This covering greatly magnifies the
actual bulk of the latter animal. | Clothe the aurochs with the wonderful
pelage of our buffalo, give him the same enormous chest and body, and
the result would be a magnificent bovine monster, who would indeed stand
without a rival. |
continue the text below | Clothe the aurochs with the wonderful
pelage of our buffalo, give him the same enormous chest and body, and
the result would be a magnificent bovine monster, who would indeed stand
without a rival. | But when first-class types of the two species are
placed side by side it seems to me that _ |
continue the text below | But when first-class types of the two species are
placed side by side it seems to me that _ | Bison americanus_ will easily
rank his European rival.
|
continue the text below | Bison americanus_ will easily
rank his European rival.
| The gaur has no long hair upon any part of his body or head. |
continue the text below | The gaur has no long hair upon any part of his body or head. | What little
hair he has is very short and thin, his hindquarters being almost naked.
|
continue the text below | What little
hair he has is very short and thin, his hindquarters being almost naked.
| I have seen hundreds of these animals at short range, and have killed
and skinned several very fine specimens, one of which stood 5 feet 10
inches in height at the shoulders. |
continue the text below | I have seen hundreds of these animals at short range, and have killed
and skinned several very fine specimens, one of which stood 5 feet 10
inches in height at the shoulders. | But, despite his larger bulk, his
appearance is not nearly so striking and impressive as that of the male
American bison. |
continue the text below | But, despite his larger bulk, his
appearance is not nearly so striking and impressive as that of the male
American bison. | He seems like a huge ox running wild.
|
continue the text below | He seems like a huge ox running wild.
| The magnificent dark brown frontlet and beard of the buffalo, the shaggy
coat of hair upon the neck, hump, and shoulders, terminating at the
knees in a thick mass of luxuriant black locks, to say nothing of the
dense coat of finer fur on the body and hindquarters, give to our
species not only an apparent height equal to that of the gaur, but a
grandeur and nobility of presence which are beyond all comparison
amongst ruminants.
|