NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

upper part of his wife’s head, blowing on it three times with the utmoft

uly.

violence in his power, and uttering certain words. The other two he —~—~

faftened with the fame formalities, on the heads of his two children.

During our fhort ftay with thefe people, they amufed us with dancing,
which they accompanied with their voices; but neither their fong or
their dance poffeffed much variety. ‘The men and women formed a pro-
mifcuous ring. The former have a bone dagger or piece of ftick be-
tween the fingers of the right hand, which they keep extended above the
head, in continual motion: the left they feldom raife fo high, but work
it backwards and forwards in an horizontal direGtion; while they leap
about and throw themfelves into various antic poftures, to the meafure of
their mufic, always bringing their heels clofe to each other at every
paufe. The men occafionally howl in imitation of fome animal, and he ;
who continues this violent exercife for the longeft period, appears to
be confidered as the beft performer. The women fuffer their arms to
hang as without the power of motion. They are a meagre, ugly, ill-
made people, particularly about the legs, which are very clumfy and co-
yered with {cabs. The latter circumftance proceeds probably from their
habitually roafting them before the fire. Many of them appeared to be
in a very unhealthy flate, which is owing, as I imagine, to their natural
filthinefs. They are of a moderate ftature, and as far as could be difco-
vered, through the coat of dirt and greafe that covers them, are of a
fairer complexion than the generality of Indians who.are the natives of

warmer climates.

Some of them have their hair of a great length; while others fuffer

along trefs to fall behind, and the reft is cut fo fhort as to expofe
Fe their