ever, as fancy orconvenience fuggefts ; and tliey . will fotrietirrfei
proceed to the chafe in the. fevereft froft, covered only with the flighted
Of them. Their head-dreffes are compofed of the feathers of the fwan,
the eagfe, and other birds. T t e teeth; horns, and claws of different
animals, are alfo the oecafiooal ornaments of the head and neck.
Their hair, however arranged, is always befineared with greafe. THë
making of every article of drefsis à femule occupatiori ; arid the wèmenj
though by no means inattentive it? the decoration of their own per-
fons, appear to have a ftill greater degree of pride in attending to the
appearance of the men, whofe faces are painted, with more care "than
thofe’of the women.
The female drefsis formed of the fame materials gs thofe of the other
fe-x, but b f a different make arid arrangement. Their fboes are commonly
plain, and their teggihs.gartered beneath the knee.. The coat, or body
covering, falls down to the middle of the leg, and is faftened over the
fhoulders With cords,' a Sap or Cape turning down about eight inches,
both before arid behind, and agreeably-ornamented with quilffwork and
fringe;: the bottbm is affo fringed, arid fancifully paâtiÉ-is high as
the krieè.’ Aè ff is *Very îoôfè-, it is éftctofed round the waift vfehi&ftiff
belt, decorated with taffels, and faftened behind. The arms are covered
to the wrift, with detached fleeves, which are fewed as far as the bend
Of the atfm; from theriee they are drawn up to the1 Meek; and the eor-
Mers of them fell dowri behind, as low as the waift. The cap, when
they wear otte, confifts of ascertain quantity of feather or cloth, fewed
at one end, by which means it is kept on the head, and, hanging down
s i the
the back, is faftened to the belt,! as well as under the chin. The
uppiffr'.-gstri»eo*^'S5 *öbe;- -like ‘fthaiwora by the, men.' $ Their hair is divided
ori the crown, and tied behind, or fometimes faftett'edin large knots
over the ear$y They are fond iöf European articles, and prefer them
to their Own Matty# commodities. Their örnairiërits cottflft in common
with all favöges, in bracelets,-rings,;arid fijMiferbaubies." Some* of the
Women tatoo three perpendicular liries; which are foraèrimes double ‘.
one: from the centre óf thë chin tó that of the Under lip, and. oh# ‘parallel
ori eitheï fidé tb the ccri'rièr'of the rrit>uth.' ! j
O f all the'rihtions which I haVe feeri on- this continent, the; Knifte*
neauff woraenlare the ïrièft comely. - Thëir gèriëfallf wfelf proportioned,
and the regularity of their features would be acknowledged
by the morej eivjhzed people of Europe. Their complexion has lefs o f
that dark tinge which is common to thofe fevagès who ihave lefs clearily
habits.
Thefe people are, in general, fubjeët to few difbrdcrs. Thé lues
venèrea; -however, is a eemmoa cömplaint, but cürëdbythé application
Of‘ff mpfesp with Wlfb^ they appear to be welf'acquainted.'
They; arè^ arfo fubjeiÉ tö örfxèsf arid painS 'lri the brëaft, which
fome have attributed to the yery cold' and keèri a irwhich they* inhale;
but I fhould imagine that thefe complaints mull frequently proceed
from their immoderate indulgence'in fat meat at their 'feafts, particularly
wheirfthey,,have been preceded by-dong fading.
They are naturally mild and affable, as well as juft in their dealings*