Mm frefll water- The ftreams however that we met with appeared fufficient
*— v»—' to anfwer all purpofes, in the domeftic ceconomy o f life, to a very numerous
body o f inhabitants : and, were the country cleared and fearched,
there can be little doubt that a variety o f eligible Ctuations might be
found for eftablifhments, where, with proper exertions, wholefome water
might be procured.
What the low country before us toward the range of fnowy mountains
may produce, remains for future inveftigation; but judging from what
we had feen, it feemed more than probable, that thofe natural canals of the
fea wind in various dire&ions; and that they are capable o f affording great
advantages to commercial purfuits, by opening communications with
parts of the interior country commodioully and delightfully fituated.
The great depth of Water may be offered as an infuperable obje&ion;
yet, on a more minute examination, it is likely that many eligible and
convenient Hopping places might be found for the fecurity: o f fuch vef-
fels as would neceffarily be employed in thofe occupations.
Having confidered with impartiality the excellencies and defefts of this
country, as far as came under our obfervation, it now remains to add a
few words on the character of its inhabitants.
None being refident in port Difcovery, and our intercourfe with them
having been very confined, the knowledge we may have acquired o f
them, their manners, and cuftoms, muft neceffarily be very limited, and
our conclufions drawn chiefly from comparifon. From New Dungenefs
we traverfed nearly one hundred and fifty miles o f their fhores without
feeing that number o f inhabitants. Thofe who came within our notice fo
nearly refembled the people of Nootka, that the bell delineation I can
offer is a reference to the defcription of thofe people, which has before
cook's ST ' keenT° ably and with fo much juftice given to the public.* The only
Voyage. difference I obferved was, that in their feature they did not generally
appear quite fo flout; and in their habits were lefs filthy; for though
thefe people adorn their perfons with the fame fort o f paint, yet it is not
laid on in that abundance, nor do they load their hair with that immenfe
quantity of oil and colouring matter, which is fo cuftomary amongft
the
the people of Nootka ; their hair, as before mentioned, being in general
neatly combed and tied behind.
In their weapons, implements, canoes, and drefs, they vary little.
Their native woollen garment was moft in falhion, next to it the fkins o f
deer, bear, & c .; a few wore dreffes manufaflured from bark, which,
like their woollen ones, were very neatly wrought,
Their fpears, arrows, filhgiggs, and other weapons, were fhaped exactly
like thofe of Nootka; but none were pointed with copper, or with
mufcle fhell. The three former were generally barbed, and thofe
pointed with common flint, agate, and bone, feemed of their original
workmanlhip. Yet more of their arrows were obferved to be pointed
with thin flat iron, than with bone or flint, and it was very Angular that
they fhould prefer exchanging thofe pointed with iron, to any of the
others. Their bows were o f a fuperior conftruclion; thefe in general
were from two and a half to three feet in length ; the broadeft part in the
middle was about an inch and a half, and about three quarters of an inch
thick, neatly made, gradually tapering to each end, which terminated in
a flioulder and a hook for the fecurity of the bow ftring. They were all
made of yew, and chofen with a naturally inverted curve fuited to the
method of ufing them. From end to end of the concave fide, which when
flrung became the convex part, a very ftrong ftrip of an elaftic hide is
attached to feme, and the Ikins of ferpents to others, exaftly the fliape
and length of the bow, neatly and firmly affixed to the wood by means
of a cement, the adhefive property of which I never faw, or heard of
being, equalled. It is not to be affefted by either dry or damp weather,
and forms fo ftrong a connexion with the wood, as to prevent a reparation
without deftroying: the component parts o f both. The bow ftring
is made of the finew of fome marine animal laid loofe, in order to be
twilled at pleafure, as the temperature of the atmofphere may require
to preferve it at a proper length. Thus is this very neat little weapon
rendered portable, elaftic, and effeHive in the higheft degree, i f we may
be allowed to judge by the dexterity with which it was ufed b y one of
the natives at port Difcovery.
We had little opportunity of acquiring any fatisfa&ory information
with.
179a.
May.