The BONES are used as a substitute for ivory in the manufacture of a
variety of small articles of a common kind; also for manuring land.
"When calcined they are used as an absorbent to carry off the baser
metals in refining silver. From the tibia and carpus is procured an oil
much used by coach-makers and others in dressing and cleaning harness,
and all trappings belonging to carriages."
FLESH, both fresh and salted, is generally esteemed as an article of
food. _Pemmican_ is made of the flesh of the American Bison: this is
dried in the sun by the Indians, spread on a skin, and pounded with
stones. When the Indians have got it into this state, they sell it to
the different forts, where all the hair is carefully sifted out of it,
and melted fat kneaded into it. If it be well made, and kept dry, it
will not spoil for a year or two.
MILK, a nutritious beverage, _per se_, is used in the composition of
innumerable articles of diet; from milk is obtained cream, butter, and
cheese.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ALPINE COWHERDS,
WITH A NOTICE OF THE CELEBRATED SWISS AIR
_The Ranz des Vaches._
In the Alps, fine cattle are the pride of their keeper, who, not being
satisfied with their natural beauty, also gratifies his vanity by
adorning his best cows with large bells, suspended from broad thongs.
Every _Senn_, or great cow-keeper, has a harmonious set of bells, of at
least two or three, chiming in accordance with the famous _Ranz des
Vaches_. The finest black cow is adorned with the largest bell, and
those next in appearance wear the two smaller ones.
It is only on particular occasions that these ornaments are worn,
namely, in spring, when they are driven to the Alps, or removed from one
pasture to another; or in their autumnal descents, when they travel to
the different farmers for the winter. On such days the Senn, even in the
depth of winter, appears dressed in a fine white shirt, with the sleeves
rolled above the elbows; neatly embroidered red braces suspend his
yellow linen trowsers, which reach down to the shoes; he wears a small
leather cap on his head, and a new and skilfully carved wooden milk-bowl
hangs across his left shoulder. Thus arrayed, the Senn proceeds, singing
the _Ranz des Vaches_, followed by three or four fine goats; next comes
the finest cow, adorned with the great bell; then the other two with the
smaller bells; and these are succeeded by the rest of the cattle,
walking one after another, and havin
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