whale happens to be_caft on fhore, the inhabitants af-
femble with great marks of joy, and perform a number
of extraordinary ceremonies. They dance and beat
drums * of different fizes : they then cut up the fifh,
of which the greateft and beft part is confumed on
the fpot. On fuch occafions they wear fliowy caps1;
and fome of them dance naked in wooden mafks, which
reach down to their fhoulders, and reprefent various forts
of fea-animals. Their dances confift o f fhort fteps for*
wards, accompanied with many ftrange geftures-.
Marriage ceremonies are unknown among them;
and each man takes as many wives as he can maintain;
hut the number feldom exceeds four.. Thefe-women
are occafionally allowed to cohabit with other men;
they and their children are alfo not unfrequently bartered
in exchange for commodities.. When* an iflander
dies, the body is bound with thongs,- and afterwards ex-
pofed to the air in a fort o f wooden cradle hung upon
* The expreffion in the original is- “ Schlagen auf groffen platten
“ handpauken,” which, being literally tranflated,. fignifies “ They beat
“ Upon large flat hand-kettle drums of different founds.”
By the accounts which I procured at Peterfburg, concerning the
form of thefe drums, they feem to refemble in fhape thofe made ufe of
by the forcerers of Kamtchatka, and are of different fizes. I had an
opportunity of feeing one of the latter at the Cabinet of Curiofities. It
is of an oval form, about two. feet long and one broad : it is covered
only at one end like the tambour de bafque, and is worn upon the arm
like a fhield.
a erofsa
crofs-bar, fupported by forks. Upon thefe occafions
they cry and make bitter lamentations.
Their Toigons or Princes are thofe who have numerous
families, and are Ikilful and fuccefsful in hunting
and fifhing.
Their weapons confift o f bows, arrows, and darts :
they throw the latter very dexteroufly, and to a great
diftance from a hand-board. For defence they ufe
wooden fhields, called kuyakin. Thefe iflanders are,
notwithftanding their favagenefs, very docile ; and the
boys, whom the Ruffians keep as hoftages, foon acquire
a knowledge of their language.