They are the skins of the cows almost exclusively that are used in commerce; those of the bulls being so large, heavy, and difficult to prepare, that this is comparatively seldom attempted. That the bison formerly ranged over the Atlantic states there can be no doubt; and Lawson informs us that even in his time some were killed in Virginia; and Cumming, in his Sketches of a Tour to the Western Country, informs us that, "long after the country (Kentucky) began to be generally settled, and ceased to be a hunting ground by the Indians," the "buffaloes, bears, and deer, were so plenty in the country that little or no bread was used," and "the facility of gaining them prevented the progress of agriculture, until the poor innocent buffaloes were completely extirpated, and the other wild animals much thinned."[109] This process of extirpation has not since been relaxed, and the bison is now driven beyond the lakes, the Illinois, and southern portion of the Mississippi rivers, their range extending from the country west of Hudson's bay to the northern provinces of Mexico. They have not yet crossed the entire breadth of the mountains at the {159} head of the Missouri, though they penetrate, in some parts, far within that range, to the most accessible fertile valleys, particularly the valley of Lewis' river. It was there that Mr. Henry and his party of hunters wintered, and subsisted chiefly upon the flesh of these animals, which they saw in considerable herds; but the Indians affirmed that it was unusual for the bisons to visit that neighbourhood.[110] [109] John Lawson, a Scotchman, came to North Carolina about 1700, as surveyor-general; he was killed by the Indians in 1712. His book, _A New Voyage to Carolina_, etc., originally published at London in 1709, ran through several editions, and was reprinted at Raleigh in 1860. "He [the bison] seldom appears amongst the _English_ Inhabitants ... yet I have known some kill'd on the Hilly Part of _Cape-Fair_-River, they passing the Ledges of vast Mountains ... before they can come near us." [In margin.] "_Two killed one year in_ Virginia _at_ Appamaticks." (See edition of 1714, in Stevens's _Collection of Voyages_, p. 115.) Cuming's _Tour_ is reprinted as volume iv of our series. See p. 177 for passage quoted.—ED.