family of the _Cruciferæ_, which may be referred to the new genus,
Stanley of Nuttall, and distinguished as S. _integrifolia_; stem
simple, leaves entire, ovate oblong, tapering to both ends; stem
angular. Flowers in a terminal raceme, which is a little branched
below; about six inches in length; stipe of the silique, about as
long as the pedicle; flowers large yellow. The whole plant, seen at a
little distance, has a remote resemblance to Lysimachia thyrsifolia.
The leaves are ⅚ inches long, ⅔ wide, glaucous, and veined, nearly
resembling those of the common cabbage, but smoother, which they are
not wholly unlike in taste. The calyx is large, and of a brighter
yellow than the other parts of the flower: it inhabits the summits
of the sandstone ridges, along the base of the mountains. The S.
_pinnatifida_, N., the original type of this genus, was found by its
discoverer, Mr. Nuttall, to act as a violent emetic. It had been eaten
by several of the party who accompanied him, as a substitute for
cabbage.—JAMES.
Towards evening, our guide discovered we had already passed
considerably beyond the base of the peak, near which it had been
our intention to halt. He also perceived at the same moment, he had
arrived at the very spot where some years ago he had been made prisoner
by a party of Spaniards, who took him to Santa Fé.[152] As we were
particularly desirous of visiting the mountains at the point designated
in many maps as the highest "peak," we resolved to return upon our
course, but as it was now near sunset, we thought it advisable to
encamp for the night.
[152] He was probably a member of the party of Chouteau and De Munn,
arrested in 1817. See _ante_, note 134.—ED.
Our journey in the afternoon had been pursued in a bison path, and
although not in the direction of our proper course, and serving only
to prolong our march without advancing us towards the end of our
pilgrimage, yet it brought us near to that romantic scenery which for
many days we had chiefly contemplated with a distant eye. We entered
the secondary range along the margin of a deep ravine, which wound with
a serpentine course towards the base of the mountain. Our progress
was sometimes impeded by huge rocky masses which had been precipitated
from some neighbouring height; and sometimes by a dense forest of very
limited extent, or an immense impending wall or oblique buttress of
rock, which, by its proximity to the eye, vied with the grandeur of the
ascending piles beyond.
July 12th. On the morning of the 12th we retraced our path of the
preceding day, until a small {207} stream running towards the
north-east offered us a change of scenery, and a course more in
the direction we wished to pursue.[153] The inequalities of the
surface were greater than in the route of the preceding evening. The
precipitous character of several of the passes thoroughly tested the
confidence we felt in our sure-footed, but now wearied and exhausted
Indian horses and mules. Our rude pathway skirted along the base of an
elevated ridge, on whose side, far above our heads, projected a narrow
ledge of rocks, frowning defiance to all attempts to scale the steep.
This ledge declined gradually as we proceeded, until it terminated
abruptly on the edge of a profound gulph. Here appeared to be the only
spot at which the ridge could be ascended. On the brow of the cliff,
a fragment of rock and a small portion of earth were suspended by the
binding roots of a solitary pine, offering a frail and precarious
foothold. This we chose to ascend, startling and hazardous as the
attempt appeared, rather than retrace our steps for several miles, and
search for a passage in some other direction. The projecting ledge by
which we had ascended, had barely sufficient width to admit the passage
of a single individual at a time. When we had gained the summit, we
allowed our exhausted animals a moment's rest in the partial shade
of some straggling oaks, and contemplated, not without a feeling of
terror, the yawning gulph at our feet. This emotion was much enhanced
by reflecting, that a single misstep of a horse, or the sliding of
a fragment of stone in our narrow path, would have been sufficient
to have precipitated us into the abyss. We thus pursued our route,
marked out to us by the bisons, who always trace the most direct and
best course, until turning the side of a mountain[154] of moderate
elevation, the ocean of prairie again spread before us. This monotonous
plain, of which we had been hitherto so weary, now burst upon the
sight, and for a moment {208} exhibited a cheerful and pleasant
contrast to the rude mountain ruins, that we had with such toil and
hazard been clambering over. This charm was, however, soon to be
dispelled. On descending to the plain, it became as usual desirable to
find a good situation for an encampment, abounding with grass for the
horses, and convenient to a water course. For this purpose, one of the
party rode to a small line of timber about a mile on our left, which
ran in a parallel direction to our line of march. He overtook us again
at the distance of two or three miles, having discovered a copious
stream of water. It was about three miles below the point at which the
water had been discovered that we gained the line of timber, only to
experience the mortification of disappointment in finding a naked bed
of sand, the stream having, no doubt, sunk into the earth some distance
above. We had, therefore, to undergo the pains of abstinence still
longer, until we again sought the timber further below, where the water
had reappeared on the surface.
[153] Probably one of the branches of Cheyenne Creek.—ED.
[154] Cheyenne Mountain(?).—ED.
Near this encampment, we first observed the great shrubby cactus[155]
which forms so conspicuous a feature in the vegetable physiognomy of
the plains of the Arkansa. Its trunk is six or eight feet in height,
and at the root five or six inches in diameter. It is much branched,
the ultimate divisions consisting of long cylindric articulations. The
flowers are as large as those of the C. ferox, of a purple colour, and
are placed on the ends of the articulations. These last are arranged
somewhat in whorls about the ends of the smaller branches. The surface
of every part of the plant, aside from its terrific armature of thorns,
is marked by little prominences of near an inch in length, and about
one-fourth of an inch in breadth, rising considerably, and bearing
a cluster of radiating spines. These are of various lengths, one
pointing {209} obliquely upward, being commonly much the largest. At
their insertion, these thorns are surrounded by pungent setæ in the
manner of C. ferox. The whole plant is so thickly beset with strong
spines pointing in every direction, that no large animal can approach
it unharmed. It does not form thickets, but each plant is a cluster
by itself; and when first seen at a distance, they were mistaken for
bisons. We were informed by one of our engagees, who had penetrated the
Spanish provinces as far as Monterey, that this plant is common there,
and its fruit much esteemed. The nopals are considered characteristic
of warm and dry climates, like those of Egypt and California.[156]
Perhaps there is no part of the world where plants of this family
constitute so large a proportion of the vegetable products of the soil,
as in the arid plains of the Arkansa. These plains are sufficiently
dry; but like those of the Platte and Upper Missouri, where cacti are
almost equally abundant, they are visited by very severe cold in winter.
[155] Cactus cylindricus of Humboldt.—JAMES.
[156] Humboldt's Personal Narrative, vol. i. p. 362. Philadelphia
Edit.—JAMES.
Another highly interesting plant, which occurs in the most barren
and desolate parts of the plain, is a cucurbitaceous vine resembling
some of our common squashes, bearing a small pepo, which is round and
smooth, and as large as an orange. It is perennial, having a somewhat
lignous root four or five inches in diameter, and descending often more
than four feet into the earth. We were so fortunate as to meet with it
in flower, and also with ripened fruit. It has the acutely margined
seed of the genus cucumis, but in other respects is closely allied
to cucurbita.[157] In addition to these, we collected the zigadenus
elegans, Ph., asclepias tuberosa, and some others.
[157] _Cucumis perennis_, S.—Calyx, seated upon the germ, rugose,
coloured campanulate, exterior divisions subulate.
Masc. Three filaments, short, closely covering the central disc. Fœm.
Style short, stigmas three bipartite.
Fruit. Pome large, orbicular, smooth, about four celled seeds,
ovate, gibbous, margin acute; dissepiments torn, spongy; seeds in
a double order; leaves alternate, triangularly cordate, margin
undulate, tendrils axillary trichotomous; stems numerous, procumbent,
grooved; flowers nearly as large as those of Cucurbita _pepo_; fruit
round, smooth, and green, nearly sessile, resembling a small unripe
water-melon. The leaves are rough, of a glaucous green colour, bitter
and nauseous to the taste, and the whole plant emits a fœtid odour.
Root fusiform, very large, six feet in length, and often four inches
in diameter, descending perpendicularly into the earth. It inhabits
the arid and sandy wastes, along the base of the Rocky Mountains, from
the confluence of the Arkansa, and Boiling Spring Fork, to the sources
of Red River. By means of its long and somewhat succulent root it is
peculiarly adapted to the soil it occupies, and is found to thrive
with considerable vigour in wastes whose thirsty and burning soils
bid defiance to almost every other vegetable. It flowers in July, and
continues flowering and perfecting fruit during the summer. Some plants
of this interesting species are growing in the garden of the University
of Philadelphia, from seeds brought by Major Long, but they have not
yet flowered. The leaves are thick and robust, from six to eight inches
long, and four or five in width, on foot-stalks equalling the leaves
in length; they are crowded along the stems, and usually stand erect.
It does not appear that any insect or animal preys upon the leaves or
other parts of this plant. It forms, by its deep green, a striking
contrast to the general aspect of the regions it inhabits, which are
exceedingly naked and barren.
This plant has been mentioned by Mr. Brackenridge, from the information
of hunters, but no detailed account of it has hitherto been given. The
annexed figure is from a drawing by Mr. Peale, made of the plant in
its native locality. The petioles and the extremities of the stems are
usually affected with morbid enlargements, resembling galls. They may
perhaps be caused by the irritation of the intense reflected light and
heat of the sun, in the situations where the plant usually grows. In
the gardens it has not hitherto produced these enlargements.—JAMES.
From an elevated ridge which we passed in the morning, some bisons had
been seen, at the distance {210} of five miles; and as we were in want
of game, Mr. Peale, with two hunters, rode forward in the pursuit of
them. They overtook the herd near a small creek, and attacked one of
the largest, which was at length killed. In examining the body, it was
found twenty balls had entered in different parts before the animal
fell. They arrived at camp, bringing the meat, at a little after noon.
The small stream on which we encamped had some timber along its valley.
In this, four deer had been killed; so that we now had provisions in
great plenty.[158]
[158] 1. _Fringilla psaltria_, SAY.—A very pretty little bird, was
frequently seen hopping about in the low trees or bushes, singing
sweetly, somewhat in the manner of the American gold-finch, or
Hemp-bird (Fringilla tristis). The tints, and the distribution of the
colours of its plumage resemble, in a considerable degree, those of the
autumnal and less brilliant vesture of that well-known species. It may,
however, be distinguished, in addition to other differences, by the
black tip of its tail-feathers, and the white wing spot.
The _head_ is capped with black; the _cheeks_ are dusky; the _bill_
yellow, with a black tip; _iris_ burnt umber; _neck_ above, and half
its side, _back_, and _rump_ olivaceous, more or less intermixed with
dusky; _smaller wing coverts_ blackish, edged with olivaceous; _greater
wing coverts_ brown-black, tipped with white, forming a narrow band;
_primaries_ fuscous, and, excepting the exterior one, slightly edged
with white; third, fourth, and fifth feathers white towards the base,
so as to exhibit a white spot beyond the wing coverts; _secondaries_
margined with white exteriorly towards their tips: _tail coverts_
black, varied with olivaceous on their shafts; _tail_ emarginate,
feathers blackish, slightly edged with dull whitish; the three
exterior ones pure white on their inner webs, excepting at base and
tip; all _beneath_ yellow; _feet_ pale. A specimen is deposited in the
Philadelphia Museum.
2. _Fringilla frontalis_, SAY.—Crimson-necked Finch. _Head_, _throat_,
_neck beneath_, and _upper portion of the breast_ brilliant crimson,
most intense near the bill and over the eyes; _rump_ and _tail coverts_
paler crimson; between the bill and the eye grey; _bill_ dark horn
colour, lower mandible paler; _vertex_, _occiput_, _neck above_ and
_each side_ brown, tinged with reddish, the feathers margined with
pale; _back_ dusky brownish; _wings_ and _tail_ fuscous, the latter
feathers edged on the inner side with white; the _primaries_ broadly
margined within, towards the base, with white, and exteriorly edged
with a grayish; _coverts_ and _tertials_ edged with dull grayish;
_inferior portion of the breast_, the _belly_, and _vent_ whitish, each
feather with a broad fuscous line.
_Female_, dusky brown, the feathers margined each side with dull
whitish; wings fuscous, the margining and edging of the feathers not
as distinct as in the male; all _beneath_, excepting the tail and wing
feathers, whitish, each feather with a brown streak.
This bird is much more closely allied, both in size and colouring, to
the purple Finch (F. purpurea) than to the crimson-headed Finch (F.
rosea), and may prove to be only a variety of it, when a comparison
of many individuals can be made. The male, from which the above
description is drawn out, may not be in its ultimate state of plumage,
as it seems probable that the middle of the head, the upper part of the
neck, and the back, in the perfect plumage, is more obviously tinted
with crimson than we have observed those parts to be. It differs,
however, from the _Purple Finch_ in the tint of the crimson colour,
which is far more lively and brilliant, and also in having each feather
of the belly, vent, and inferior tail coverts broadly streaked with
brown. We apply to it provisionally the name of _F. frontalis_. A
prepared specimen of this bird is in the Philadelphia Museum.—JAMES.
From this camp we had a distinct view of the part of the mountains
called by Captain Pike the highest peak. It appeared about twenty miles
distant, towards the north-west.[159] Our view was cut off from the
base by an intervening spur of less elevation; but all the upper part
of the peak was visible, with patches of snow extending down to the
commencement of the woody region.
[159] Having followed in general the course of Cheyenne Creek, the
party must have encamped a short distance south of the site of Colorado
Springs, where the stream flows into Fountain Creek. From this point
there is a magnificent view of Pike's Peak, which Pike himself usually
called Grand Peak. His estimate of the height was 18,581 feet; the
error was due partially to his assumption of the excessive elevation of
8,000 feet for the plain at the base. See the estimate of Lieutenant
Swift, in succeeding volume, note 11.—ED.
At about one o'clock P. M. a dense black cloud was seen to collect in
the south-west; and advancing towards the peak, it remained nearly
stationary over that part of the mountains, pouring down torrents of
rain. The thunder was loud and frequent; and though little rain fell
near our camp, the creek soon began to swell; and before sunset it had
risen about six feet, and again subsided nearly to its former level.
When the stream began to rise, it was soon covered with such a quantity
of bison's dung, suddenly washed in from the declivities of the
mountains and the plains at its base, that the water could scarcely be
seen. About this time our cook filled his kettle, and put into it the
meat intended for supper; but when the soup was brought to our tent,
the flavour of the cow-yard was found so prevalent, and the meat so
filled with sand, that very little could be eaten.
{211} As one of the objects of our excursion was to ascertain the
elevation of the peak, it was determined to remain in our present camp
for three days, which would afford an opportunity for some of the party
to ascend the mountain.
{261} APPENDIX A
ANIMALS
A Catalogue of the Names of Animals, which we observed at Engineer
Cantonment, or at other indicated places, on our journey to that post.
MAMMALIA
_Vespertilio novaboracensis, L._—New-York bat.
—— _Carolinus, Geoff._—Carolina bat.
_Scalops aquaticus_—Mole.
_Ursus Americanus_, (_gularis, Geoff._)—Black bear.
_Procyon lotor_—Racoon.
_Taxus labradoricus_—Badger.
_Mustela minx_—Mink.
—— _vison_.
_Mephitis putorius (chinche, Buff. Cuv.)_—Skunk.
_Lutra (mustela lutra Braziliensis, Gm. Cuv.)_—Otter.
_Canis_—Indian dog.
—— _lycaon_—Black wolf.
—— _virginianus_—Red fox.
—— _cinereo-argenteus_—Gray fox.
_Felis concolor_—Cougar.
—— _rufa_—Bay lynx.
_Didelphius virginiana_—Opossum.
_Castor fiber_—Beaver.
_Ondatra Zibethicus_—Musk-rat.
_Gerbillus Canadensis_—Leaping-mouse.
_Arctomys monax_—Maryland marmot.
_Mus agrarius?_—Rustic mouse.
_Arvicola Zanthognatha, Leach_—Meadow mouse (on the Ohio).
{262} _Mus musculus_—introduced by our expedition.
_Pseudostoma bursaria_—Pouched rat.
_Sciurus cinereus_—Gray squirrel.
—— _capistratus_—White-nosed do.
—— _striatus_—Ground do.
—— _nigra_—Black do.
_Lepus Americanus_—Rabbit.
_Cervus major_—Elk.
—— _Virginianus_—Virginian deer.
_Antilocapra Americana, Ord._—Prong-horned antelope.
_Bos bison, Gmel._—Bison.
BIRDS
_Vultur (Cathartes Illig.) aura_—Turkey buzzard.
_Falco (Haliœtus, Sav.) leucocephalus_—Bald eagle.
—— _(Pandion, Sav.) haliætus?_—Fish-hawk.
—— _(Accipitur, V.) ruficaudus, Vieil. (F. Borealis, L. Wilson)
_—American buzzard, Lath.
—— _(Circus, Bech.) uliginosus_—Marsh-hawk.
—— _Buteo (galinivorus, Vieil.)_—Great hen, H.
—— _(Milvus, Bech.) furcatus_—Swallow-tailed falcon, Lath.
—— _(Tinnunculus, Vieil.) sparverius_—American sparrow-hawk.
—— _(Aquila, Briss.) fulvus_—Ring-tailed eagle, Wilson;
war-eagle of the Omawhaws.
—— _lineatus, Gm. Wils._—Red-shouldered hawk. Mississippi.
—— _Mississippiensis, Wilson_—Mississippi kite.
—— _velox, Wilson_—Sharp-shinned hawk.
—— _Pennsylvanicus, Wilson_—Slate-coloured hawk.
_Strix (Otus, Cuv.) otus_—Long-eared owl.
—— _( do. do. ) Virginiana_—Virginian-eared owl, Lath.
—— _( do. do. ) asio_—Red-eared owl, Lath.—Screech-owl.
{263} _Strix (Ulula, Cuv.) nebulosa_—Barred-owl, Lath.
—— _(Noctna, Savig.) phalænoides, Dand. Vieil._
—— _( do. do. ) passerina, Wilson._
—— _( do. do. ) Hudsonia_—Hawk-owl, Wilson.
—— _( Bubo, Cuv. ) bubo_—Great owl.
_Lanius borealis, Vieil._—Great American shrike, Wilson.
_Tanagra Ludoviciani, Wils._—Louisiana tanager.
—— _rubra_—Scarlet tanager.
_Musicapa (Tyrannus, Cuv.) pipiri, Vieil._—Tyrant fly-catcher,
Wilson.
—— _(Tyrannus, Cuv.) Ludovicianus_—Louisiana fly-catcher, Lath.
—— _Canadensis, Gm. Wilson._—Canada fly-catcher.
—— _(Icteria, Vieil. pipra. Wilson,) viridis, L._
—Yellow-breasted chat, Wils.
—— _cantatrix Bartram, Wils._—White-eyed fly-catcher.
—— _(Mucipeta, Cuv.) ruticilla_—American red-start, Wilson.
—— _olivacea_—Red-eyed fly-catcher, Wils.
—— _novaboracensis, Gm._—Green black-capt fly-catcher, Wilson.
—— _fusca_—Pewee fly-catcher, Wilson.
_Ampelis (Bombycivora, Temm.) Carolinensis, Briss._—Cedar-bird,
Wilson.
_Turdus rufus_—Ferruginous thrush.
—— _felivox, Vieil._—Catbird.
—— _fuscus_—Brown thrush.
—— _pollyglottus_—Mocking bird.
—— _aurocapillus_—Golden crowned thrush.
—— _migratorius_—Red-breasted thrush.
—— _aquaticus, Wils._—Water thrush.
_Sylvia solitaria, Wils._—Blue-winged yellow warbler.
—— _sialis_—Blue bird.
—— _striata, Wilson_—Black poll warbler.
{264} _Sylvia Ludoviciana, L._—Blue yellow-backed warbler, Wilson.
—— (_Troglodites, Cuv.) troglodites? Wilson_—Winter wren.
—— _azurea, Steph. cœrulea, Wils._-Cœrulean warbler.
—— _æstiva, Lath._
_Certhia Caroliniana, Lath. Wils._—Great Carolina wren.
—— _palustris, Wils._—Marsh wren.
_Hirundo Americanus_—Barn swallow, Wilson.
—— _riparia_—Bank do.
—— _pelasgia_—Chimney do.
—— _purpurea_—Purple martin.
_Caprimulgus Virginianus, L._—Whip-poor-will.
—— _porpetue, Vieil._—Night hawk.
_Alauda alpestris, L. Wils._—Shore lark.
—— _rubra_—Red lark.
_Parus atricapillus_—Black capped titmouse.
_Emberzia Americana, L. Wils._—Black throated bunting.
_Fringilla (Ploceus, Cuv.) erythrocephala_—Towhee bunting.
—— _socialis, Wilson._—Chipping sparrow.
—— _oryzivora_—Rice bird.
—— _pecora, Wils. (Emberiza)_—Cow bird.
—— _(Cardualis, Cuv.) tristis_—Yellow bird.
—— _melodia, Wilson._—Song sparrow.
—— _purpurea_—Purple finch.
—— _Hudsonia_—Snow bird.
—— _(Linaria, Bech.) linaria_—Lesser red-poll.
_Loxia (Vidua, Cuv.) cardinalis_—Cardinal gross beak.
—— _(do. do.) Ludoviciana_—Rose-breasted gross beak.
—— _(Corythus, Cuv.) enucleator_—Pine gross beak.
—— _Curvirostra Americana, Wilson._—American gross beak.
{265} _Gracula (Icterus, Cuv.) quiscala_—Purple grackle.
_Oriolus (Zanthornus, Cuv.) phœniceus_—Red-winged starling, Wilson.
—— _(Zanthornus, Cuv.) Baltimoreus_—Baltimore bird.
—— _(do. do.) spurius_—Orchard oriole.
—— _(do. do.) icterocephalus_—Yellow-headed oriole.
_Sturnus Ludovicianus_—Meadow-lark, Wils. The S. torquatus of
Stephens seems to be the male of this species.
_Sitta Carolinensis_—White-breasted nuthatch, Wilson.
—— _varira_—Red-bellied [nuthatch, Wilson].
_Corvus corax_—Raven.
—— _corone_—Crow.
—— _(Pica, Cuv.) pica_—Magpie.
—— _(Garrulus, Cuv.) cristatus_—Blue jay.
_Trochilus colubris_—Ruby-throated humming-bird.
_Alcedo alcyon_—Belted kingfisher.
_Picus pileatus_—Pileated woodpecker, Lath.
—— _erythrocephala_—Red-headed woodpecker.
—— _auratus_—Gold-winged do.
—— _pubescens_—Downy do.
—— _villosus_—Hairy do.
—— _Carolinus_—Red-bellied do.
_Psittacus Carolinensis_—Caroline perroquet.
_Meleagris gallipavo_—Turkey.
_Tetrao cupido_—Pinnated grouse.
—— _umbellus_—Ruffed do.
—— _phasianellus_—Long-tailed grouse.
—— _(Perdix) Virginianus_—Virginian partridge, Wilson.
_Columba migratoria_—Passenger pigeon. (_C. Canadensis_
is the female, Temm.)
—— _Carolinensis_—Caroline pigeon or dove.
_Charardrius vociferus_—Kildeer.
{266} _Charardrius pluvialis_—Golden plover.
_Ardea (Grus, Cuv.) Americanus_—Hooping crane.
—— _(do. do.) Canadensis_—Sandhill do.
—— _herodias_—Great heron.
—— _virescens_—Green heron.
—— _nycticorax_—Night-heron.
_Numenius longirostra_—Long-billed curlew.
_Scolopax minor_—Little woodcock.
—— _(Totanus) semipalmata_—Willet.
—— _(Totanus) melanoleucus, Vieil._—Stone curlew.
—— _(do.) vociferus_—Telltale godwit.
_Tringa solitaria, Wilson._—Solitary sandpiper.
—— _Bartramia, Wilson._—Bartram's sandpiper.
—— _semipalmata, Ord._—Semipalmated sandpiper.
_Scolopax flavipes, Gm. Wils._—Yellow-shanks snipe.
—— _fedoa, L. Wilson._—Great marbled godwit.
_Recurvirostra Americana_—American avocet.
_Colymbus glacialis_—Great northern diver.
—— _(Podiceps, Lath.) cornutus_—Horned grebe.
_Fulica Americana_—Common coot.
_Larus ridibundus?_—Laughing gull.
_Sterna aranea, Wilson._—Marsh tern.
—— _minuta_—Lesser tern.
_Pelecanus erythrorhynchos_—Rough-billed pelican.
—— _fuscus_—Brown pelican.
—— _(Phalacrocorax, Briss.) carbo_—Corvorant.
_Anas (Cygnus, Meyer) cygnus_—Swan.
—— _(do.) Canadensis_—Canada goose.
—— _(Anser, Briss.) hyperborea_—Snow goose.
—— _(do.) bernicla?_—Barnacle goose.
—— _(do.) albifrons_—White-fronted goose.
{267} _Anas discors_—Blue-winged teal.
—— _albeola_—Buffle-headed duck.
—— _boschus_—Wild duck.
—— _sponsa_—Summer duck.
—— _marila_—Scaup duck.
—— _acuta_—Pin-tailed duck.
—— _glacialis_—Long-tailed duck.
—— _clangula_—Golden-eye.
—— _Americana_—American widgeon.
_Mergus serrator_—Red-breasted merganser.
—— _cucullatus_—Hooded do.
REPTILIA
_Testudo clausa._—This is our common land tortoise. It
rarely, if ever, enters the water voluntarily, and is therefore
decidedly terrestrial.
_Testudo (Emys, Brogni.) geographica, Lesueur._
—— _ ( do. do. ) serpentaria_—Serpent tortoise.
—— _(Trionix, Geoff.) ferox_—Fierce tortoise.
_Lacerta (Agama) undulata, Daud._
—— _(Scincus) 5-lineatus._
_Coluber constrictor_—Racer.
—— _ordinatus_—Garter snake.
—— _heterodon_—Hog-nose snake.
_Crotalus horridus, L._—Banded rattlesnake.
—— _durissus, L._—Diamond rattlesnake.
_Rana pipiens, Daud. (R. Catesbeana, Shaw.)_—Bull-frog—Ohio.
_Rana helecina, Kalm. Daud. (R. pipiens, Schreb.
Shaw.)_—Shad-frog—Ohio.
_Rana clamata, Daud._
—— _(Hyla) occulars, Daud._—On the Ohio, near Shippingsport. This
species is subject to vary considerably. In addition to the lateral
vitta, it has sometimes three dorsal vittæ: other specimens have a
remarkable cruciform mark on the back.
_Rana (Hyla) femoralis, Daud._—Ohio.
—— _(Bufo) musicus_—Common toad.
{268} _Salamandra subviolacea, Barton_—near Shippingsport.
—— _longicauda, Green_—near Pittsburgh.
—— _rubra, Daud._—Ohio.
—— _cinerea, Green_—near Shippingsport.
—— _(Triton, Laur.) Alleganiensis (Salam.
gigantea, Barton)_—Pittsburgh.
The following observations were made, relative to the arrival and
departure of birds at Engineer Cantonment. A few notes are added, which
were made at Pittsburgh and other places.
_Vultur aura_—Arrived April 2. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 9. 1819.
_Falco haliœtus_—Flying north May 17. 1820.
—— _furcatus_—Was seen 20.
The Falco and Strix families generally winter here.
_Tanagra rubra_—Arrived May 1. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
arrived April 29. 1819.
_Muscicapa olivacea_ arrived April 30. 1820.
—— _cantatrix_— 30.
—— _ruticilla_— 28. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 8. 1819.
_Muscicapa fusca_ arrived March 22. 1820.
—— _pipiri_— May 7. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 8. 1819.
_Turdus fuscus_ arrived April 28. At Pittsburgh the 14th.
_Turdus aurocapillus_ arrived April 26. 1820.
—— _aquaticus_— 26.
—— _migratorius_— 11.
—— _felivox_ observed on the Ohio, May 8. 1819.
—— _rufus_ do. do. 2. 1820.
_Certhia palustris_ arrived April 15. 1820.
_Sylvia striata_ — 26.
—— _azurea_ — 28.
—— _sialis_—a few remain all winter.
_Hirundo pelasgia_ arrived May 1. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
arrived April 27. 1819.
{269} _Hirundo purpurea_ arrived March 30. 1820. At
Pittsburgh, April 14. 1819.
_Hirundo Americana_—At Pittsburgh, arrived April 21.
1819.
_Caprimulgus Virginianus_ arrived April 19. 1820. At
Pittsburgh, heard May 5. 1819.
_Caprimulgus porpetue_ arrived May 16. 1820. On the
Ohio, observed May 6. 1819.
_Caprimulgus rufus, Vieil._—heard on the Ohio, June
2. 1819.
_Parus articapillus_—all winter.
_Fringilla erythrocephala_ arrived March 22. 1819.
—— _purpurea_ seen Feb. 28.
—— _Hudsonica_ departing April 11.
—— _oryzivora_ arrived May 14.
—— _linaria_ — Feb. 1.
—— _tristis_ remains during the winter.
_Loxia Ludoviciana_, observed May 1. and 6. 1819.
—— _Americana_ — Feb. 21. 1819.
—— _cardinalis_—on the Ohio, May 8. 1819.
—— _enuncleator_—occasionally seen during the winter.
_Oriolus icterocephalus_, observed May 14. 1820.
—— _phœniceus_ — March 1.
—— _Baltimoreus_, observed near Pittsburgh, April 29. 1819.
_Sturnus Ludovicianus_ arrived April 5. 1820.
_Sitta Carolinensis_ remains all winter.
_Corvus pica_ retired northward, March 23. 1820.
—— _corax_—the young nearly able to fly, May 12. 1820.
_Trochilus colubris_ arrived May 18. 1820. On the Ohio,
May 6. 1819.
_Alcedo alcyon_ arrived March 20. 1820.
_Picus erythrocephalus_ arrived March 20. 1820.
—— _auratus_ and some others remain all winter; but the
_erythrocephalus_ is entirely migratory.
_Picus pileatus_—seen Feb. 28. 1820.
{270} _Psittacus Carolinensis_—seen several times during
the winter: near Louisville, May 25. 1819.
_Columba migratoria_ arrived May 2. 1820.
—— _Carolinensis_ arrived April 30. 1820.
_Ardea Americanus_ arrived March 19. 1820.
—— _virescens_ seen on the Ohio May 6. 1819.
—— _Canadensis arrived_ May 24. 1820.
_Numenius longirostra_ arrived April 1. 1820. Was seen
on the top of the Alleghany mountain March 24. 1819.
_Curvirostra Americana_—seen Feb. 20. 1820.
_Scolopax vociferus_ arrived March 19. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
observed May 5. 1819.
_Scolopax semipalmata_ arrived May 6. 1820.
—— _minor_ — April 8.
_Tringa solitaria_— 30. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
observed May 15. 1819.
_Colymbus cornutus_ arrived May 5. 1820.
_Larus ridibundus_—in large flocks, flying northward,
May 4. 1820. They were seen at Pittsburgh April 3. 1819.
_Sterna minuta_ arrived April 2. 1820.
_Pelecanus erythrorhynchos_ arrived April 8. 1820.
—— _carbo_ arrived April 10. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
arrived May 5. 1819.
_Anas cygnus_—flying to the north Feb. 22. 1820.
—— _canadensis_ do. do. 21.
—— _acuta_ shot 28.
—— _Americana_ shot March 3.
—— _sponsa_, with their young, May 30. 1819.
The great emigration of geese, swans, ducks, and cranes, commenced on
the 22d of February, and terminated the latter end of March, 1820.
{271} APPENDIX B
INDIAN LANGUAGE OF SIGNS
1. _Sun_—The fore-finger and thumb are brought together at tip, so as
to form a circle, and held up towards the sun's track. To indicate
any particular time of the day, the hand with the sign of the sun, is
stretched out towards the east horizon, and then gradually elevated, to
show the ascent of that luminary, until the hand arrives in the proper
direction, to indicate the part of the heavens in which the sun will be
at the given time.
2. _Night, or sleeping_—The head, with the eyes closed, is laterally
inclined for a moment upon the hand. As many times as this is repeated,
so many nights are indicated; very frequently the sign of the sun is
traced over the heavens, from east to west, to indicate the lapse of a
day, and precedes the motion; it also precedes the following following—
3. _Darkness_—The hands extended horizontally forwards, and back
upwards, pass one over the other, two or three times touching it.
4. _Combat_—The clenched hands are held about as high as the neck, and
five or six inches asunder, then waved two or three times laterally,
to show the advances and retreats of the combatants; after which the
fingers of each hand are suffered to spring from the thumb towards each
other, as in the act of sprinkling water, to represent the flight of
missiles.
5. _Prisoner_—The fore finger and thumb of the left hand are held in
the form of a semicircle, opening towards and near the breast, and the
fore finger {272} of the right representing the prisoner, is placed
upright within the curve, and passed from one side to another, in order
to show that it will not be permitted to pass out.
6. _Man_—A finger held vertically.
7. _Seeing_—The fore-finger, in the attitude of pointing, is passed
from the eye towards the real or imaginary object.
8. _Seen, or discovered_—The sign of a man, or other animal, is made;
after which the finger is pointed towards, and approached to your own
eye; it is the preceding sign reversed.
9. _Entering a house or lodge_—The left hand is held with the back
upward, and the right hand also with the back up, is passed in a
curvilinear direction down under the other, so as to rub against its
palm, then up on the other side of it. The left hand here represents
the low door of the skin lodge, and the right, the man stooping down to
pass in.
10. _Theft_—The left fore-arm is held horizontally, a little forward
or across the body, and the right hand passing under it with a quick
motion, seems to grasp something, and is suddenly withdrawn.
11. _Hunting_—The fore-finger is brought near the eye, and placed in
the attitude of pointing; it is then wagged from side to side, the eye
following its devious motion, and seeming to look in the direction
indicated. Sometimes the hand is extended far before the eye, and the
same motion is given to the finger.
12. _Pretty_—The fingers and thumb, so opposed as to form a curve, are
passed over the face nearly touching it, from the forehead to the chin,
then add the sign of _Good_, No. 42.
13. _Eating_—The fingers and thumb are brought together in opposition
to each other, into something of a wedge shape, and passed to and from
the mouth four or five times within the distance of three or four {273}
inches of it, to imitate the action of food passing to the mouth.
14. _Drinking, or water_—The hand is partially clenched, so as to have
something of a cup shape; and the opening between the thumb and finger
is raised to the mouth, as in the act of drinking. If the idea of water
only is to be conveyed, the hand does not stop at the mouth, but is
continued above it.
15. _Enough, or a bellyful_—The sign for eating is first made; then
the fore finger and thumb are opposed to each other so as to form a
semicircular curve, which is elevated along the body from the belly to
the neck, in order to indicate that the interior is filled with food up
to that part.
16. _Squaw_—The hands are passed from the top down each side of the
head, indicating the parting of the hair on the top, and its flowing
down each side.
17. _The discharging of a gun_—Is indicated by slapping the back of the
right hand, partially closed, into the palm of the left.
18. _Death_—By throwing the fore finger from the perpendicular into a
horizontal position towards the earth, with the back downwards.
19. _Killing_—The hands are held with the edge upwards, and the right
hand strikes the other transversely, as in the act of chopping. This
sign seems to be more particularly applicable to convey the idea of
death, produced by a blow of the tomahawk or war-club.
20. _Bison_—The two fore fingers are placed near the ears, projecting,
so as to represent the horns of the animal.
21. _Surrounding the bison_—The sign No. 20 is first made; the hands,
with the fore fingers and thumbs in a semicircle, are then brought two
or three times together.
22. _Discharging the arrow_—The hands are placed {274} as in the
attitude of drawing the arrow in the bow, (this is also the sign for
the bow) and its departure is indicated by springing the fingers from
the thumbs, as in the act of sprinkling water.
23. _To speak_—The motion is like sprinkling water from the mouth by
springing the fore finger from the thumb, the hand following a short
distance from the mouth at each resilience, to show the direction of
the word, or to whom it is addressed; this motion is repeated three or
four times.
24. _Haranguing_—The above motion repeated rapidly, the hand at each
motion pursuing a different direction, to show that the talk is
addressed to various persons.
25. _Quantity, or great number_—The hands and arms are passed in a
curvilinear direction outwards and downwards, as if we were showing the
form of a large globe; then the hands are closed and elevated, as if
something was grasped in each hand, and held up about as high as the
face.
26. _Exchange_—The two fore fingers are extended perpendicularly, and
the hands are then passed by each other transversely in front of the
breast, so as nearly to exchange positions.
27. _Inquiry_—The hand held up with the thumb near the face, and the
palm directed towards the person of whom the inquiry is making; it is
then rotated upon the wrist two or three times edgewise, to denote
uncertainty.
28. _Truth_—The fore finger passed, in the attitude of pointing, from
the mouth forward in a line curving a little upward, the other fingers
being carefully closed.
29. _Lie_—The fore and middle fingers extended, passed two or three
times from the mouth forward; they are joined at the mouth, but
separate as they depart from it, indicating that the words go in
different directions.
{275} 30. _It is so_—The motion is somewhat like 28., but the finger
is held rather more upright, and is passed nearly straight forward
from opposite the breast; and when at the end of its course, it seems
gently to strike something, though with a rather slow and not suddenly
accelerated motion.
31. _Sit down_—The fist is clenched, and the motion of it is then the
same as if it held a staff, and gently stamped it upon the earth two or
three times.
32. _Travelling with great rapidity_—The hands are held edge up,
extended forward and a little sideways, one in advance of the other,
though parallel; they then are agitated a little in the manner of a
fan, though with a much more rapid and not so wide a motion, the arms
being at rest.
33. _Running_—The arm nearly doubled upon itself, and then the elbow
thrown forward and backward, as in the act of running.
34. _Riding on horseback_—The index and middle finger of the right hand
are straddled over the left index finger, representing the rider and
the horse; these are then jolted forward, to represent the trotting
motion of the horse.
35. _Knife_—Hold the left hand clenched near the mouth, as if it held
one end of a strip of meat, the other end of which was between the
teeth; then pass the edge of the right hand, as in the act of cutting,
obliquing a little upwards from right to left between the other hand
and mouth, so as to appear to divide the supposed meat.
36. _Awl_—The left fore finger is extended, and the right, also
extended, is placed across it, and is then turned on its axis, so as to
imitate the action of the awl in making a hole.
37. _My offspring_—If an Indian wishes to tell you that an individual
present is his offspring, he points to the person; and then, with the
finger still extended, {276} passes it forward from his loins in a line
curving downwards; then slightly upwards; sometimes saying, "That is my
child, _illum minxi_." Dashinga-shinga-we-weet-tah-ohn-na-je.
38. _Strength_—The hands are clenched; the left fore arm is held almost
perpendicularly near the breast, so that the fist is nearly opposite
to the throat; the right arm is then carried up between the left and
the breast, and continued on over the left fist to the outside of the
latter; the right arm is then brought down so as to have the same
direction with the other, and the fists rest opposite to each other,
in a line with the breast. This motion resembles the act of wringing a
thick towel. If he would say, "I am strong," he strikes himself upon
the breast two or three times with his fist, previously to the motion
above described. If he would say, "You are strong," he previously
points to you, &c.
39. _Fire_—The act of striking fire with the flint and steel is
represented; after which the ascent of the smoke is indicated, by
closing the fingers and thumb of the right hand, holding them in a
vertical position, with the hand as low as convenient; the hand is then
gradually elevated, and the fingers and thumb a little expanded, to
show the ascent and expansion of the volume of smoke.
40. _Rabbit_—The fore and little fingers of the right hand are
extended, representing the ears of the animal; the hand is then bobbed
forward to show the leaping motion of the animal.
41. _Deer_—The fore finger of the right hand is extended vertically,
with the back towards the breast; it is then turned from side to side,
to imitate the motion of the tail of the animal when he walks at his
leisure.
42. _Good_—The hand held horizontally, back upwards, describes with the
arm a horizontal curve outwards.
{277} 43. _Be quiet, or be not alarmed, or have patience_—The palm of
the hand is held towards the person.
45. _I will kill you_—Direct the right hand towards the offender, and
spring the fingers from the thumb, as in the act of sprinkling water.
46. _Fish_—Hold the upper edge of the hand horizontally, and agitate it
in the manner of a fan, but more rapidly, in imitation of the motion of
the tail of the fish.
47. _Poor_—The two fore fingers extended, with the right, as if it
was a knife, imitate the motion of cutting the flesh off of the left
finger, beginning towards the tip, and cutting with a quick motion
directed towards the base; at the same time turn the left finger a
little round, so as to expose the different parts to the action of
cutting; intimating that the flesh has diminished from starvation.
48. _House or lodge_—The two hands are reared together in the form of
the roof of a house, the ends of the fingers upward.
49. _Husband, companion, or in company_—The two fore fingers are
extended and placed together, with their backs upward.
50. _Snow_—The hand is held up about as high as the head, with the
fingers suffered to dangle downwards; it is then bobbed a little up and
down, as if to throw off drops from the ends of the fingers.
51. _Rain_—The sign for _water_ (No. 14.) precedes that for _snow_.
52. _Robe_—The hands are placed near the shoulders, as if holding the
ends of the robe, and then crossed, as if drawing the robe tight around
the shoulders.
53. _The coming of a person from a distance_—Place the fore finger in a
vertical position, with the arm extended towards the point from which
the person came, or is to come; then bring it gradually near the {278}
body, but not in contact with it; or if he continued on, carry it in
the direction he passed.
54. _Snake_—The fore finger is extended horizontally, and passed along
forward in a serpentine line. This is also used to indicate the Snake
nation of Indians.
55. _Crow nation of Indians_—The hands held out each side, and striking
the air in the manner of flying.
56. _Light_—Make the sign of the sun in the eastern horizon, and then
extend the hands together, with the palm upwards, and carry them from
each other outwards.
57. _Flat-head nation_—One hand placed on the top of the head, and the
other on the back of the head.
58. _Pierced-nose nation_—The finger extended, pass it horizontally by
the nostrils.
59. _Trade_—First make the sign of _exchange_, (No. 26.) then pat the
left arm with the right finger, with a rapid motion from the hand
passing it towards the shoulder.
60. _Sioux nation_—The edge of the hand passed across the throat, as in
the act of cutting that part.
61. _Black-foot nation_—The finger and thumb encircle the ancle.
62. _Arrapaho nation_—The fingers of one hand touch the breast in
different parts, to indicate the tattooing of that part in points.
63. _Carrying a pack_—The hands are placed each side of the head, as if
they held the strap of the _hoppas_, which passes round the forehead,
in order to relieve that part, by supporting a portion of the weight of
the burden; with this motion, two or three slight inclinations of the
head and corresponding movements of the hands are also made.
64. _Pretty_—Another sign, beside that marked {279} No. 43., is the
following: curve the fore finger of the right hand, and place the tip
on the ridge of the nose between the eyes, so as to represent a high
Roman nose; then bring down the hand in a curvilinear manner, until the
wrist touches the breast; after which add the sign, No. 42.
65. _No, not, or none_—The hand waved outwards, with the thumb upward.
For yes, see No. 30.
66. _Destroyed, or all gone, no more_—The hands held horizontally, and
the palms rubbed together, two or three times round; the right hand is
then carried off from the other, in a short horizontal curve.
67. _Anger_—The fingers and thumb of the right hand, with the ends
together, and near the breast; then turn the hand round two or three
times, so as to describe verticle circles; indicating that the heart is
disturbed.
68. _Dissatisfaction, or discontent_—The extended finger placed
transversely before the situation of the heart, rotate the wrist two or
three times gently, forming a quarter of a circle each time.
69. _Indecision_—The index and middle fingers extended and diverged,
place them transversely before the situation of the heart, and rotate
the wrist two or three times gently, forming each time a quarter of a
circle.
70. _Fool_—The finger is pointed to the forehead, and the hand is then
held vertically above the head, and rotated on the wrist two or three
times.
71. _Swiftness_—The two index fingers are held parallel together, and
pointing forward; the right one is then passed rapidly forward.
72. _Shienne nation_—With the index finger of the right hand proceed as
if cutting the left arm in different places, with a sawing motion from
the wrist upwards, to represent the cuts or burns on the arms of that
nation.
73. _Left-handed_—The left hand clenched is held {280} up before the
neck; the elbow is then brought in to the side, at the same time giving
to the fore-arm a twist, so as to bring the closed palm opposite the
breast.
74. _I do not understand_—The fingers and thumb of the right hand
brought together near their tips, and then approached and receded to
and from the ear two or three times, with a quick motion, made within
the distance of two or three inches; finish with the sign, No. 65.
75. _I understand_—The same sign with the preceding, excepting the
No. 65., which is omitted. The motion of the fingers is designed to
represent the sound entering the ear.
76. _Love or affection_—The clenched hand pressed hard upon the breast.
77. _Me (I)_—The clenched hand struck gently, and with a quick motion,
two or three times upon the breast. Or, the fingers brought together,
are placed perpendicularly upon the breast.
78. _You_—Is expressed by simply pointing at the persons, and the same
for other objects within view.
79. _Multitude_—First indicate a man, No. 6., or whatever object it may
be, and then the sign of a great many, No. 25.
80. _Opposite_—A clenched hand held up on each side of the head, at the
distance of a foot or more from it.
81. _Hill_—A clenched hand held up on the side of the head, at the
distance of a foot or more from it.
82. _River_—The hand, in the form of a scoop or ladle, is carried to
the mouth, as if conveying water, and then drawn along in a horizontal
line, with the edge downward, about the height of the breast.
83. _Counting, or enumeration_—The fingers or thumbs expanded, count
ten. In order to proceed with the enumeration by tens, the hands must
be {281} clenched; and if again expanded, it counts twenty, and so on,
the hands being clenched between every ten. In order to indicate the
digits, clench the hands, and extend the little finger of the left hand
for one; extend also the ring finger for two, and so on; the thumb
for five. These must remain extended, whilst the thumb of the right
is extended for six, &c. Any number within five, above any number of
tens, is indicated by clenching the left hand and crossing the right
over it, with the requisite number of fingers extended. For the number
of sixteen, exhibit the sign of ten, and then extend four fingers, and
the two thumbs in the order of enumeration; for seventeen, proceed by
extending the fore finger of the right hand, and so on to twenty. In
this manner any sum can be denoted, always holding the backs of the
hands upward. When enumerating a small number, where a considerable
exertion of the memory is requisite, the Indians extend the left
hand with the palm upward; whilst, with the index of the right, the
fingers are successively bent into the palm, beginning as before with
the little finger; and the greater difficulty in recalling to mind
the numbers or events, the more apparent resistance is offered to the
inflection of the finger.
84. _A Chief_—The fore finger of the right hand extended, pass it
perpendicularly downward; then turn it upward, and raise it in a right
line as high as the head.
85. _Bad_—Make the sign of _good_ (No. 42.), and then that of _not_
(No. 65.)
86. _Gun_—Hold out the left hand, as in the act of supporting the gun
when directed horizontally, and with the right appear to cock it.
87. _Gunpowder_—Appear to take up a pinch of the powder, and to rub it
between the finger and thumb; then turning the hand, spring the fingers
from the thumb upward, so as to represent the exploding of the powder.
{282} 88. _Ball, or bullet_—Make the sign of the exploding of the
powder; then grasp the fore finger of the hand with the remaining
fingers and thumb, so that the tip of it will so extend beyond them as
to represent the ball.
89. _Scissors_—With the fore and middle fingers, imitate the opening
and shutting of the blades of the scissors.
90. _Looking-glass_—The palm of the hand held before the face, the
fingers pointing upward.
91. _Writing_—The act of writing is imitated by the finger, in the palm
of the opposite hand.
92. _Brother_—The sign for a man (No. 6.), succeeded by placing the
ends of the fore and middle fingers of one hand together in the mouth.
93. _Sister_—The sign for a squaw (No. 16.); after which place the
fingers in the mouth, as in No. 92.
94. _Cold_—The arms, with clenched hands, held up before the breast,
thrown into a tremulous motion as if shivering with cold.
95. _Cowardice_—The head stooped down, and the arm thrown up to protect
it; a quick motion.
96. _Marching, or travelling moderately_—The hand held vertically as
high as the neck, with slightly divided fingers, and rocked edgewise
forward and backward upon the wrist, extending the arm a little
forwards. This sign resembles that for _inquiry_ (No. 27.), but differs
in the direction of the motion of the hand.
97. _The return of a party through fear_—Begin with the preceding
motion; then draw the tips of the fingers and thumb together, and
retreat the hand to the body.
98. _Hunting shirt_—The fore finger and thumb, so opposed as to form a
curve, are passed near the surface of the body, from the forehead to
the abdomen.
99. _Surprise or astonishment_—Is indicated by placing the hand upon
the mouth, to show that {283} language is inadequate to communicate
their sensations.
100. _Calumet dance_—The hand extended with the edge upward, and with
the arm waved sideways, with a motion like that of a swing.
101. _Beaver trap_—The two fore fingers brought suddenly together, in a
parallel manner, so as to represent the snapping of the steel trap.
102. _Stone_—Close the right hand, and strike the palm of the left hand
two or three times with it.
103. _Give it to me_—The hand extended in a pointing position towards
the object in request; then brought towards the body with the finger
raised vertically, and laid against the breast.
104. _Mountains_—When speaking of the Rocky Mountains, Tarrarecawaho
held up the fingers of his left hand, a little diverging from each
other; and to convey the idea of the streams flowing from them, he
placed the index finger of his right hand alternately between each two
of them, and drew it away in a serpentine manner.
* * * * *
The following signs are extracted from an essay by William Dunbar,
Esq., published in the sixth volume of the Transactions of the American
Philosophical Society. It will be observed that some of them differ
essentially from those which we obtained, and that we have omitted ten
of them which correspond with those we have given.
_White_—With the under side of the fingers of the right hand rub gently
upon that part of the left hand which corresponds with the knitting of
the bones of the fore finger and thumb.
_Egg_—The right hand held up with the fingers and thumb extended, and
approaching each other as if holding an egg within.
_The same, or similar to what went before_—Place the two fore fingers
parallel to each other, and push them forward a little.
{284} _Snow_—Begin with the sign of rain, then the sign of air or cold,
and conclude with the sign of white.
_Ice_—Begin with the sign of water, then of cold, then the earth; and,
lastly, a stone, with the sign of sameness or similarity.
_Hail_—Begin with the sign of water, then the sign of cold, next the
sign of a stone, then the same, then the sign of white; and, lastly,
conclude, with the sign of an egg; all which, combined, give the idea
of hail.
_Frost_—Begin with the sign of water, then the sign of night or
darkness, then the sign of cold, then the sign of white; and, lastly,
the earth.
_Cloud_—Begin with the sign of water; then raise the two hands as high
as the forehead, and placing them with an inclination of 15°, let them
gently cross one another.
_Fire_—The two hands brought near the breast, touching or approaching
each other, and half shut; then moved outwards moderately quick, the
fingers being extended, and the hands a little separated at the same
time, as if to imitate the appearance of flame.
_Bring, fetch, or give me_—The hand half shut, with the thumbs pressing
against the fore finger, being first moderately extended either to the
right or left, is brought with a moderate jerk to the opposite side, as
if something was pulled along by the hand. Consequently, the sign of
water preceding this, would convey the expression, "Give me water."
_Earth_—The two hands open and extended, brought horizontally near each
other opposite to either knee, then carried to the opposite side, and
raised in a curve movement, until brought round and opposite to the
face.
_Cold, or Air_—The right hand held perpendicularly upwards, and brought
forwards with a tremulous or vibratory motion, until it passes beyond
the face.
_Big, great, or large_—The two hands open, placed {285} wide apart on
each side of the body, and moved forwards.
_Fear, to be afraid, to cause fear_—The two hands, with the fingers
turned inwards, opposite to the lower ribs; then brought upwards with
a tremulous movement, as if to represent the common idea of the heart
rising up to the throat: the three last signs, placed in the order
given, would convey the idea of a violent hurricane.
_Moon_—The thumb and finger open are elevated towards the right ear;
this last sign is generally preceded by the sign of the night, or
darkness.
_Heat_—The two hands raised as high as the head, and bending forwards
horizontally, with the points of the fingers curving a little downwards.
_Clear_—The hands are uplifted, and spread both ways from the head.
_Thunder_—The sign of rain, accompanied by the voice imitating the
rumbling sound of thunder.
_Lightning_—First, the sign of thunder; then open or separate the
hands; and, lastly, bring the right hand down towards the earth, in the
centre of the opening just made.
_Male and female_—Note: to distinguish between the male and female,
in all cases add for the male a fillip with the fore finger of the
right hand on the cheek; and, for the female, bring the two hands
open towards the breast, the fingers approaching, and then move them
outwards.
_Dunghill fowl_—Bring the thumb and fingers of the right hand together;
and holding the hand moderately elevated, move it across, imitating the
motion of the head of a cock in walking.
_Turkey_—The open hands brought up opposite to the shoulders, and
imitating slowly the motion of the wings of a bird; to which add the
last sign.
{286} _Duck_—The last sign; then the sign of water; and, lastly, the
sign of swimming; which last is performed by the fore finger of the
right hand extended outwards, and moved to and fro.
_Horse_—The right hand, with the edge downwards, the fingers joined,
the thumb recumbent, extended forwards.
_Deer_—The right hand extended upwards by the right ear, with a quick
puff from the mouth.
_Man_—With the fore finger of the right hand extended, and the hand
shut, describe a line, beginning at the pit of the stomach, and passing
down the middle of the body as far as the hand conveniently reaches,
holding the hand a moment between the lower extremities.
_Woman_—The finger and thumb of the right hand partly open, and placed
as if laying hold of the breast.
_Child_—Bring the fingers and thumb of the right hand, and place them
against the lips; then draw them away, and bring the right hand against
the fore of the left, as if holding an infant. Should the child be
male, prefix the sign of a man before the last sign; and, if a female,
do so by the sign of the woman.
_Boy_—Bring the fingers and thumb of the right hand to touch the lips;
then extend the hands and make the sign of man; then raise the hand,
with the fingers upwards, placed at the height of a boy.
_Girl_—Begin with the above sign, and make the sign of woman; and then
raise the hand to the height of the girl.
_You_—The hand held upwards obliquely, and pointing forward.
_He, or another_—The fore fingers extended, and the hands shut,
and fingers brought over one another, or nearly touching, and then
separated moderately quick.
{287} _Many, or much_—The flat of the right hand patting on the back of
the left hand; which is repeated in proportion to the greater or lesser
quantity.
_Know_—The fore finger of the right hand held up nearly opposite to the
nose, and brought with a half-turn to the right, and carried a little
outwards. Place any of the articles before the last sign, which will
then signify, "I know, you know, he knows;"—both hands being made use
of in the manner described, implies, "to know much."
_Now, or at present_—The two hands forming each a hollow, and brought
near each other, and put in a tremulous motion upwards and downwards.
_Come here_—The hand stretched outwards, with the palm under, and
brought back with a curve motion downwards, and inclining to the body.
_Go_—The back of the hand stretched out and upwards.
_What say you_—The palm of the hand upwards, and carried circularly
outwards and depressed.
_No, nothing, I have none_—The hand held up before the face, with the
palm outward, and vibrated to and fro.
_From whence come you? say_—First, the sign of you; then the hand
extended, open, and drawn to the breast; and, lastly, the sign of,
"what say you?"
_Come_—The fore-finger moved from right to left, with an interrupted
motion, as if imitating the alternate movement of stepping.
_Mine_—The hand shut, and held up to the view.
_House_—The hand half open, and the fore finger extended and separated;
then raise the hand upwards, and give it a half turn, as if screwing
something.
_Done, or finished_—The hands placed edge up and down, parallel to
each other; the right hand without; which latter is drawn back, as if
cutting something.
_Spring season_—The sign of cold, to which add the last sign of being
done or finished.
_Body_—The hands with the fingers pointed to the lower part of the
body, and then drawn upwards.
_Hair_—The movement of combing.
{289} APPENDIX C
INDIAN SPEECHES
Speeches of Pawnees, Pawnee Loups, and Pawnee Republicans, at a
council held at the Engineer Cantonment, October, 1819.
In concluding his address, on opening the Pawnee council, Major
O'Fallon requested them, if any subject rested heavily on their
minds, to come forward and express themselves without fear. Long Hair
(Tarrarecawaho,) immediately arose, and with a firm step placed himself
in the middle of the area. He stood for a short time immovable, then
slowly advanced nearer to the agent, and with a very loud, powerful
voice, fierce countenance, and vehement gesticulation, thus addressed
him:
Father, The Master of Life placed me on this land, and what
should I fear? Nothing. You are a chief, and I am a chief.
Father, Look at me, and see if I deceive you, when I say that I
have but one intention, and that is a good one.
Father, My heart is strong; I say, my heart is strong.
Father, Those who robbed and whipped your people, I did not
see; I was not present.
Father, Those Republican Pawnees are bad people, they have
injured the whites, but I have not, and that is the reason why
I am not afraid to see you.
{290} Father, We are fond of pipes; we like to travel to our
neighbouring nations, and smoke with them.
Father, I am desirous to go now, and hunt the buffaloe; but
when the grass comes up in the spring, I hope to see you again.
Father, This medal which you see on my neck, is my father's
image. It is dear to me, because he presented and placed it on
my neck.
Father, Wherever I have been to visit my father (Governor
Clarke), or my fathers, I have heard good talk, and mine has
been good also; but there are many here who will not give ear
to their words.
Father, I am happy to hear what you say about peace; that we
particularly desire, especially with the whites.
Father, Affairs have been bad. I am not a child; I listened to
the talk you sent to us, and was therefore not afraid to come
and see you. Those whites, and all those people around me, I
consider as my children, and am glad to see them.
I tell you that I am poor; who is the cause of it? not myself;
it is my young men. That is all I have to say. I give you my
hand.
_La-ceech-ne-sha-ru_, the Knife Chief, a Pawnee Loup.
Father, Here I am before you. You see me. I am poor.
Father, I am a Pawnee wolf, and those you see there (pointing to his
band) are Pawnee wolves.
Father, Look at my people, and see if they have any thing belonging to
a white man.
Father, I tell you the truth, I am poor.
Father, Amongst my people, I believe, there is not an individual that
has injured you. If any one of the other bands can say they have, let
them speak.
Father, This medal which hangs upon my breast, I received from my
red-headed father below (Governor {291} Clarke). I listened to his
words, and on my return I told them to my people, and they believed.
Father, You see that I am old; but I do not recollect that myself, or
any of my people, ever injured any of the whites.
Father, Neither my hands, nor those of my young men, have ever been
stained with the blood of the Americans.
Father, That is the reason why I have come to listen again in the words
of my father.
Father, That is all I have to say. I have finished.
_Major O'Fallon_
Grand Pawnees, and Pawnee Republicans; I am not satisfied with what you
have said. What you have said is good, but it is not enough. Until you
drive those dogs from among you, I will not consider you in any other
light than as dogs.
_Pa-ne-ca-he-ga_, Fool Robe's son, a Pawnee Republican.
Father, I am a Pawnee Republican.
Father, What you have said is true: the Pawnee Republicans are dogs,
they do not listen with their ears.
Father, I have never done ill to a white man myself; I have never even
taken a knife from him; and my heart is distressed because my young
people will not listen.
Father, It is true what Tar-ra-re-ca-wa-ho has said, that we whipped
two white men; we did do it.
Father, I am poor; I say, I am poor.
Father, It is true that it is customary for my people to rob white men,
when they go to war, but I never knew them to kill one.
Father, My heart is distressed because my young men will not listen;
they have no ears.
{292} Father, The offenders have not ears; they were afraid to come and
see you, knowing they had done wrong.
Father, I came without fear, on a good horse, which I present to you.
My people were afraid that I should come.
Father, I am without fear. I said, when I set out from my village, why
should I fear, if my father strikes me, it is no more than a father
does to his child.
Father, We are glad to hear your words; we will make peace; we will
return to our village, and see what those dogs will do.
Father, That is all I have to say. I have done.
_Chief of the Tappage band_ of the Grand Pawnees.
Father, I have come to see you; here I am, very poor.
Father, I have seen my father below, and this is my great father I wear
round my neck.
Father, When he put this about my neck I heard what he said to me, and
have recollected it.
Father, Our young people will not attend to what we say; we talk and
repeat to them, but when they lie down, they forget all before midnight.
Father, You ought to have heard whether my band have injured you or not.
Father, There was a time when our hands were red with the blood of your
people, but since we have been below, it has been washed off.
Father, We visited our father below; he told us, when we met a white
man to treat him well, and let him never fear.
Father, I see you are looking on me; I am poor; I have nothing on me of
the make of the whites; I have even turned my buffaloe robe to hide its
tarnish.
Father, I came here to listen to your words, to hear what you have told
us.
{293} Father, You say there is a God above; I know it; when he is angry
I hear him speak (alluding to the thunder).
Father, I consider you equal to him. You are the same to me.
Father, All you see here are your children; they are poor.
Father, That is all I have to say.
_Major O'Fallon_
Pawnee chiefs and soldiers; I called you here to adjust the difference
that is between us. I called you here to bring the articles which were
stolen from my people. I have not yet seen them. I called you here to
bring the dogs that stole them; but I have not seen them; I hope that
you have brought them.
My eyes have been looking for them, and my ears have been listening,
but I am not satisfied.
* * * * *
(The following articles were now given up.
One buffaloe robe, one horse, one pair double-barrelled pistols, one
bird-bag, one tomahawk, one axe, one powder-flask, one shot-bag.
Fool Robe's son said, there are many articles lost, which my people
took from you, and two of the horses gave out on the road, a few miles
from this place.[160])
[160] One of the horses has been since found.—JAMES.
_Long Hair_
Those who did the mischief did not come. They were afraid. Here are two
of their chiefs.
_Major O'Fallon_
Pawnee chiefs and warriors; I wish to know whether or not you are
able to punish the offenders; {294} whether or not there are good
people enough amongst you to punish them. Our soldiers are anxious to
march against you, but the chiefs restrain them, lest they injure the
innocent. That is the reason why I wish to know if you are not able
to punish the bad. Our people do not wish to spill innocent blood.
Therefore I desire to place their punishment in your own hands.
I have come to this land, not to spill blood, but to prevent its
flowing. I have come to give you rest, and peace, and happiness, not to
make war. If your arms are not strong enough, come forward and say so;
if you are not chiefs, say so.
Pawnees, If I were to see our troops marching towards your nation,
tears would fall from my eyes; because I believe that there are some
good men among you, whose blood would immediately flow. Red Skins have
called us cowards when we have hesitated to spill blood, when it ought
to have been spilt. Even some of your chiefs have insulted our people,
thinking they would not resent it. I tell you, Pawnees, that we are
tired of submitting to insults. My nation is most powerful, and that is
the reason why the Great Spirit restrains our arm.
Come forward, you chiefs, and let me know what is the strength of your
arm; my ears are anxious to hear; say, before it is too late, whether
you can govern your people or not.
_Pe-ta-le-sha-roo_, Republican chief.
Father, I am not afraid of these people, these Pawnees you see here.
They have never struck me with a whip; (meaning, that when he has
chastised his people they have not retaliated upon him.)
Father, I have travelled through all the nations below; they have not
injured me.
Father, I have seen people travel in blood. I have {295} travelled in
blood myself, but it was the blood of Red Skins, no others.
Father, I have been in all the nations round about, and I have never
feared a Red Skin.
Father, I have seen the time when blood flowed upon the ground. It drew
tears from many eyes. But I went down to visit my father, (Governor
Clarke,) and returned contented.
Father, I have no longer a desire for war. I delight to sit in peace.
Father, When I went to see my father below, although there was danger
in the way, I was not afraid to go alone.
Father, But I am now like a squaw, and instead of carrying the mark of
a man, I have that of a woman.
Father, My right arm, and that half of my body is white man, and the
other only Indian.
Father, When I returned from below, I related to my people what I had
seen, but none of them had ears; they would not hear me.
Father, I have often traded with the whites. I always traded fairly,
while the Pawnee Loups did not. Here is a trader who knows me (Mr.
Pappan).
Father, We will punish the offenders. It is very easy; it is not
difficult at all.
Father, I will score the back of him who cut your tent.
Father, It is some time since I have worn this on my neck; I have kept
it secreted, because they will not respect it.
Father, After our battles with the people around us, I have gone alone,
crying into their villages, and have received no harm. (In other words,
Indians have forgiven me for spilling their blood, then why should not
the magnanimity of the whites forgive the comparative trifling injuries
I have done them.)
Father, When the war-party that robbed your {296} people returned,
I was not told of this act. If I had known it, and had demanded the
articles, perhaps they would have been given up to me; but they are now
so widely distributed that it is impossible to collect them all.
Father, I have never yet whipped my people, but I intend to begin now.
I will punish the offenders as soon as I return home.
Father, I am glad to see you writing down all that has been said. When
a man dies, his actions are forgotten, but when they are written down,
it is not so.
Father, Some among us have had difficulty with the traders, because
they would give but very little vermilion, &c. for our furs.
Father, When I have seen a person poor, and I had a horse to spare, or
a blanket, I have given it to him.
Father, From this day I undergo a change; I am now an American, and you
shall hear that it is true.
Father, If you hear of my being whipped when I return to my village,
consider yourself the cause of it, for I will whip those dogs that
insulted you as you desire me.
Father, You love your children; I love mine.
Father, Be quick, do what you have to do. If you intend to punish us,
let us know it.
(This is an artful, politic Indian. If he is sincere in what he has
here said, his change has been a sudden one. When Mr. Dougherty
delivered the talk sent by Major O'Fallon to this people, in their
village, demanding the stolen articles, &c. this man ridiculed him,
saying, that for his part he had nothing but an old pair of shoes that
the Red Head had given him, and which he would return.)
{297} _Major O'Fallon_
Do you wish to see our warriors among you, to punish these people. I do
not wish to see them among you. You, chief of the Pawnee Republicans,
(addressing the last speaker,) you say you are able to punish them;
I am in hopes that you have not lied; if you have, we must do it
ourselves. If my eyes cannot see you punish them, my ears must tell me
you have done it.—Yes! my ears must tell me it has been well done, that
you have given two stripes for every one that those two unfortunate
traders have suffered. And you, Long Hair, that have so strong an arm,
assist him, lest our warriors should be obliged to visit you, when
yourself might not be distinguished from the others. I do not yet know
you as chiefs, but I wish to know you as such; I want to have some
proofs that you are chiefs. When I learn that you have punished those
who have done wrong, as our chiefs punish, then I will recognize you.
You tell me that your stomachs are empty: I will give you something
to fill them. You show me your naked skin; my heart will not let me
clothe it until this difference is settled. Were I to smoke with you
on this day, the smoke would not rise; it would fall to the ground.
When I shall be able to cover what is past, and to forget it; when I
smile upon you in shaking hands, then perhaps I may give you something
to eat and to smoke. I come not to beg your friendship; I come not to
ask your land or your skins; I ask nothing of you. Pawnees! I wish
to be at peace with you, and all the Red Skins, I tell you again. I
know that the Great Spirit has done little for you; he has done much
for us. I come to do something for you, when I see you willing to do
something for yourselves. I come to give you advice to enable you to
live happily, to calm your troubled minds, and to give peace to your
troubled heads.
{298} If in reality you punish those who have offended, and my ears
tell me so, I will take you by the hand and smoke with you; but if your
ears are unwilling to hear my words, close your ears and do not hear
them.
I will work a change among you, Red Skins, and when my arm fails, my
bones shall whiten on your plains, for my nation to come and bury.
_Pawnee Loups_, Before you leave this place I will give you something
to make your hearts glad.
_Long Hair_, If you would make me believe that you are disposed to
behave well, treat those good people (the Pawnee Loups) that reside
with you kindly. Your arm is stronger than theirs; do not raise it
against them, unless they insult you. I hope the day is not far
distant, when I shall be able to smile on your people, as I now smile
on them.
_Pawnees_, When you find yourselves unable to punish those dogs among
you, think that you hear the sound of those bugles from the hills near
your village.
* * * * *
(Presents were now made to the Pawnee Loups; but to the others only a
little tobacco was given, and no chiefs were recognized.)
[Transcriber's Note:
Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.]