Note 255 — I. VOCABULARIES OF SOME OF THE TRIBES OF NORTHWESTERN AMERICA, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

The Kutanä̍s, or Kutunä̍s, also Kutnehä̍s, dwell in the Rocky mountains beyond the sources of Maria river; and on their mountains lives the white mountain goat. They are said to call themselves Kutonachä; the French know them as Coutonais; and the Blackfeet call them Kutanä̍. They are few in number, having only some forty lodges. Among their ornaments they highly prize cylinders cut from mussel-shells, especially those cut from the shell of the dentalium, which they obtain from the western seacoast. The Blackfeet, especially the Blood Indians, are their declared enemies. They do not live on the flesh of the buffalo, which is not found in their mountains; but in their country many beaver are obtained, excellent fish (trout), and several other species of animals, especially the orignal (cervus alces amer.), the white mountain goat, and the bighorn; also many kinds of roots and berries serve them as food. They raise large numbers of strong and handsome horses; they are well clothed; and are expert beaver hunters. They are skilful in making bows and arrows. Their language is difficult to learn. The words are spoken softly and indistinctly; in addition there are many clicking tones and hollow gutturals; and they also lisp.—Maximilian.