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144 stretched thongs of raw hide that unite the central mesh of the net in the middle from the sides of the frame a series of strips of rawhide are stretched across the middle from side to side being wrapped about the frame. this part of the frame has no perforations in it. on the sides of the mesh a strip of raw hide is looped about each set of strips binding each to the next and then are their again interlaced with diagonal strips then are in all three sets of strips two diagonal and one horizontal

  In the [?fore?] part of the shoe back of the forward board is an opening for the toe of the wearer and Just behind the hole is a strengthening of the fabric by a binding of strips of hide on the sides of this central hole are two smaller holes through which pass the thong to tie the shoe to the foot.   The snow shoe is secured to the foot by means of the thong shown in the centre.  At first sight it would seem impossible for an indian or any one to walk in such device but the fact is it is an easy matter not only to walk but run and Jump in snowshoes as the writer can testify.  To secure the shoe the ends of the thongs are passed through the holes as shown the central figure.  the loop then drawn up so that when the foot is placed on the web of the shoe and the [?loop?] rests Just above the heel the ball of the foot shall come on the backward edge of the central hole.  The ends of the thongs are then each carried up between the first and second raw hide strip running from the forward [?lace?].  The foot being set upon the web and the loop placed at the heel and above it one end of the thong is carried over the instep of the foot passed under the stand of the loop on the other side and brought back to the same side and passed around the ankle as many times as desired.   The strand from the other side is similarly treated and the ends tied at the ankle.  Thus tied the snow shoe is secure and great freedom is acquired for action.  As will be seen by a glance at the drawing the shoe is only secured at the ball of the foot where it is as it were hinged to the foot.  In walking the the heel is raised the toe passes down into the hole the foot is then raised in the act of stepping and the front of the snowshoe raises and [?] with it the heel of the shoe glides over the snow and walking upon the loose snow or crust is not only possible but a pleasure  The writer once saw an Ojibway squaw walking along complacently with two of her companions all on snowshoes in deep snow and the squaw in question had on her back all the mats and other portables for a Birch bark camp, making a bundle that a horse might be proud to carry. yet this squaw the mother of an expectant family did not seem to be seriously inconvenienced by her load.  The strands of raw hide are threaded in and out by means of a needle made of iron (and this instrument was probably originally a bone awl) now replaced by the iron substitute.  the needle is a flat double pointed piece of iron with a square eye near one end.  with this the thongs are woven in and out to form the mesh of the shoe.