xc A GENERAL HISTORY

Britifh America on the Atlantic, with the exception of the Efqui-
maux*, and continues along the Coaft of Labrador, and the gulph and
banks of St. Laurence to Montreal. The line then follows the Utawas
river to its fource; and continues from thence nearly Weft along the
high lands which divide the waters that fall into Lake Superior and
Hudfon’s Bay. It then proceeds till it ftrikes the middle part of the
river Winipic, following that water through the Lake Wimipic, to the
difcharge of the Safkatchiwine into it; from thence it accompanies
the latter to Fort George, when the line, ftriking by the head of
the Beaver River to the Elk River, runs along its banks to its dif.
charge in the Lake of the Hills; from which it may be carried
back Eaft, to the Ifle 4 la Croffe, and fo on to Churchill by the
Miffinipi. The whole of the tra&t between this line and Hudfon’s
Bay and Straits, (except that of the Efquimaux in the latter), may
be faid to be exclufively the country of the Knifteneaux. Some of
them, indeed, have penetrated further Weft and South to the Red
River, to the South of Lake Winipic, and the South branch of the

Safkatchiwine.

They are of a moderate ftature, well proportioned, and of great
activity. Examples of deformity are feldom to be feen among them.
Their complexion is of a copper colour, and their hair black, which
is common to all the natives of North America. It is cut in vari-

ous forms, according to the fancy of the feveral tribes, and by fome is

* The fimilarity between their language, and that of the Algonquins, is an unequivocal’ proof
that they are the fame people, Specimens of their refpeGtive tongues will be hereafter given,

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