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Show 134 BASIS OF AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1700 guistic evidence and to a certain extent native tradition ( Mandan) point to an Appalachian origin for the group, and would indicate the eastern slopes of that range as their earlier home. From here they pushed westward, overrunning the prairies and plains until brought to a halt by pressure from the western stocks; while a back flow was prevented by the barrier offered by the Algonquian tribes in their rear. The one factor which has overshadowed all others in its influence on the Sioux habitat, institutions, art, and beliefs was the buffalo. Probably the pursuit of the bison led westward the eastern tribes, and notably the Sioux, and dispersed them over the plains. The pre- eminent part which the buffalo played in the nutrition and industrial life of these peoples accounts, too, for their relatively slight development of agriculture. With the arrival of , the horse, which was probably acquired by the prairie tribes towards the end of the eighteenth century, 1 the successful pursuit of the bison herds was greatly aided; and this gave the final touch to their mode of life. There is good evidence that the dog had been domesticated by the Sioux long before the appearance of the horse, and was used for food, draught, and ceremonial sacrifice.* The chief industries of the Sioux and their neighbors were naturally those 1 McGee, in Bureau of Ethnology, Fifteenth Annual Report, 173. • Zu Wicd, Travels, etc. |