Basis of American history, 1500-1900, by Livingston Farrand

Basis of American history, 1500-1900, by Livingston Farrand ... - Page 149

CHAPTER IX THE INDIANS OP THE GREAT PLAINS ( i700- 1900) THE striking inequality in the geographical distribution of Indian stocks becomes most apparent in passing from the Pacific coast territory to the great basin of the continent. Practically five- sixths of all the linguistic families of North America are found along the western slope. The immense territory lying east of the Pacific mountain ranges is peopled by a few large, strong stocks, broken into many tribes and dialects, it is true, but with affiliations within the families that are usually more or less apparent. Of these stocks the most important are the Algonquian, Athapascan, Iro-quoian, Muskhogean, Shoshonean, Siouan, and a few others of less moment and extent. Since the physical features of their habitats pro­duced conditions of climate and organic life totally different from those of the Pacific slope, differentia­tions of culture must appear equally marked. The first area which presents a possible unit of homo­geneous aboriginal culture is the region of the great plains. To its inhabitants various stocks con* 132