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139

[Image with two details]

Section Fender

Dakota (Apache} Moccosin and leggin. Brinkerhoff Coll. (Haupt del.) length of leggin 42½ inches width at top 7¼ "

   "    at bottom                4½    "

length of foot 10½ " width of " 4 1/8 "

 "     "  toe fender             2       "

X An odd adaptation of the materials at hand to the requirements of the indian is seen in the meccesins made by the Apache band of the Dakotas. This meccessin is the work of the Phirasorca Apache of New Mexico and is an ingenious device the Apache country abounds with cactus probably pear and Spanish Bayonet and the meccesin is made with a view to protect the foot and leg from injury. The sole is cut from a thick piece of buffalo hide that of the neck usually being selected. it is left in the raw state the hair not removed. the hair side is dense and the edges of the side turned up. The sole is prolonged at the toe into a kind of prow or fender which projects above the foot about two inches. In the specimen chosen it is formed like a button spreading at the tip but others shapes may be given it. To the inner edge of he sole the upper is very dexterously sewed so that the stitches are on the in side and are not visible from without the sole is wider also than the upper and protect the foot in the tread. Incased in such a covering the foot is protected against the injury liable to occur from the very sharp thorns of the luxuriant vegetation that cover the apache country. The only ornament on this moccasin is a few black lines about the toe and at the summit of the leggin which is inordinately long being forty two and a half inches the leg is drawn up and tied above the knee with a thong and the end allowed to fall over. at the ankles is a thong to keep the moccesin snug on the foot and prevent its slipping about. We make this drawing through the courtesy of Capt. H. R. Brinkerhoff who has the only pair we ever saw in private collections.