“Tribal regulations controlled the cutting up of the animal and the distribution of the parts. The skin and certain parts of the carcass belonged to the man who had slain the buffalo; the remainder was divided according to certain fixed rules among the helpers, which afforded an opportunity for the poor and disabled to procure food. Butchering was generally done by men on the field, each man’s portion being taken to his tent and given to the women as their property. “The buffalo was hunted in the winter by small, independent but organized parties, not subject to the ceremonial exactions of the tribal hunt. The pelts secured at this time were for bedding and for garments of extra weight and warmth. The texture of the buffalo hide did not admit of fine dressing, hence was used for coarse clothing, moccasins, tent covers, parfleche cases, and other articles. The hide of the heifer killed in the fall or early winter made the finest robe. “The buffalo was supposed to be the instructor of doctors who dealt with the treatment of wounds, teaching them in dreams where to find healing plants and the manner of their use. The multifarious benefits derived from the animal brought the buffalo into close touch with the people. It figured as a gentile totem, its appearance and movements were referred to in gentile names, its habits gave designations to the months, and it became the symbol of the leader and the type of long life and plenty; ceremonies were held in its honor, myths recounted its creation, and its folk-tales delighted old and young.”[57] There were many separate uses to which the entire buffalo carcass was put. I have grouped them thus:— FLESH Ordinary food Dried for winter use Mixed (pounded) with other foods HIDE House Bedding Lariat Trunk Boat Garments Leggins Footwear BONES Shovels of shoulder-blades Grooved adzes Scrapers Flint-chippers Spoons Needles Awls, etc. Skull for ceremonies Hoof-points for rattles HORNS Ornaments Cups Club-heads SINEWS Thread Bow-strings Ropes OTHER PARTS Tallow Pemmican Fuel Bladder (storage) Hair (Stuffings)