No. IV.
The Kutanas.
The Kutanas, or Kutunas (called also Kutnehas), live in the Rocky Mountains, beyond the sources of Maria
River. It is said that they call themselves Kutonacha; the French know them by the name of Coutonais; and the
Blackfeet call them Kutana. They are few in number, having, it is said, no more than about forty tents, or huts. Among
their ornaments they particularly value the cylinders cut out of shells, especially the shells of the dentalium, which they
obtain from the coast. The Blackfeet, and more especially the Blood Indians, are their declared enemies. They do not
subsist on the flesh of the buffalo, which is not found on their mountains; but they have great numbers of beavers,
excellent fish (trout), and some kinds of quadrupeds, such as the Orignal (Cervus alces amer), the white mountain goat,
and the bighorn; they have various kinds of nutritious roots and berries; they dress well, have many handsome horses,
and are skilful beaver hunters; their bows and arrows are very neatly made; their language is extremely difficult
to learn.
