282 cook's voyage to april, 



many unnatural or marvellous things were supposed 

 to exist, had seen a number of people decorated in this 

 manner, without being able to approach so near as to 

 be undeceived, they would readily have believed, and 

 in their relations would have attempted to make 

 others believe, that there existed a race of beings, 

 partaking of the nature of man and beast ; more espe- 

 cially, when, besides the heads of animals on the 

 human shoulders, they might, have seen the whole 

 bodies of their men-monsters covered with quadrupeds' 

 skins. * 



The only dress amongst the people of Nootka y 

 observed by us, that seems peculiarly adapted to war, 

 is a thick leathern mantle doubled, which, from its 

 size, appears to be the skin of an elk, or buffalo tan- 

 ned. This they fasten on in the common manner ; 

 and it is so contrived, that it may reach up, and cover 

 the breast quite to the throat, falling, at the same 

 time, almost to the heels. It is sometimes inge- 

 niously painted indifferent compartments ; and is not 

 only sufficiently strong to resist arrows, but as they 

 informed us by signs, even spears cannot pierce it $ 

 so that it may be considered as their coat of mail, or 

 most complete defensive armour. Upon the same 

 occasion, they sometimes wear a kind of leathern 

 cloak, covered with rows of dried hoofs of deer, dis- 

 posed horizontally, appended by leathern thongs, co- 

 vered with quills; which, when they move, make a loud 

 rattling noise, almost equal to that of many small bells. 

 It seems doubtful, however, whether this part of their 

 garb be intended to strike terror in war, or only is to 

 be considered as belonging to their eccentric orna- 

 ments on ceremonious occasions; for we saw one of 

 their musical entertainments, conducted by a man 

 dressed in this sort of cloak, with his mask on, and 

 shaking his rattle. 



* The reflection in the text may furnish the admirers of Heroj- 

 dotus, in particular, with an excellent apology for some of his won.- 

 derful tales of this sort. 



