"In the northern latitudes of America, where the winters are long and very severe, from the heavy falls of snow which accumulate for three or four months of the year, the Indians have very ingeniously constructed a large but light frame, with a fine webbing made of small thongs of raw hide, which is worn under the foot, buoying them up, and enabling them to run upon the surface of the snow without sinking into it. This ingenious contrivance enables them to move about in the dead of winter, gaining food for their families, which would otherwise be exceedingly difficult for them to do. These dresses for the feet they call show shoes, and as they enable them to overtake the heavy animals and shy them with great ease, their hunting facilities are materially increased by an accumulation of snow; and at its first appearance they must need celebrate the joyous event by a dance, accompanied with a song of thanks to the Great Spirit."