OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. CXXV

flow, it gradually undermines the conftitution, and brings on premature
decay. ‘They have recourfe to fuperftition for their cure, and charms
are their only remedies, except the bark of the willow, which being
burned and reduced to powder, is {trewed upon green wounds and ulcers,
and places contrived for promoting perfpiration. Of the ufe of fimples
and plants they have no knowledge; nor can it be expected, as their

country does not produce them.

Though they have enjoyed fo long an intercourfe with Europeans,
their country is fo barren, as not to be capable of producing the ordi-
nary neceffaries naturally introduced by fuch a communication; and
they continue, in a great meafure, their own inconvenient and awkward
modes of taking their game and preparing it when taken. Sometimes
they drive the deer into the fmall lakes, where they {pear them, or force
them into inclofures, where the bow and arrow are employed againft
them. Thefe animals are alfo taken in {nares made of fkin. In the
former inftance the game is divided among thofe who have been engaged
in the purfuit of it. In the latter it is confidered as private property ;
neverthelefs, any unfuccefsful hunter pafling by, may take a deer fo
caught, leaving the head, fkin, and faddle for the owner. Thus, though
they have no regular government, as every man is lord in his own
family, they are influenced, more or lefs, by certain principles which

conduce to their general benefit.

In their quarrels with each other, they very rarely proceed to a greater

degree of violence than is occafioned by blows, wreftling, and pulling of
the