To the Indians of the prairies the buffalo is of the greatest possible value, for they depend on these animals for their food, tents, clothing, and numerous other articles.  They dress the skins with the hair on, and these serve as cloaks or coverings at night.  The horns are converted into powder-flasks; the hides, when tanned, serve to cover their tents; and the wool makes a coarse cloth.  When the flesh is eaten fresh, it is considered superior in tenderness and flavour to that of the domestic ox; the hump especially being celebrated for its delicacy.  It is also cut into strips and dried in the sun; or it is pounded up with the fat and converted into pemmican.  The hides are used also for leggings, saddles, or, when cut into strips, form halters.  With the sinews, strings are made for their bows.  From the bones they manufacture a variety of tools--of the smaller ones making needles, and using the finer sinews as threads.  From the ribs, strengthened by some of the stronger sinews, are manufactured the bows which they use so dexterously.  The bladder of the animal is used as a bottle; and often, when the Indian is crossing the prairie where no water is to be found, he is saved from perishing of thirst by killing a buffalo and extracting the water which is found in its inside.