1778. 



THE rAClflC OCEAN. 



34>5 



As to the animals of this part of the continent, the 

 same must be understood as of those at Nootka, that 

 is, that the knowledge we have of them is entirely 

 taken from the skins which the natives brought to 

 sell. These were chiefly of seals, a few foxes, the 

 whitish cat, or lynx, common and pine martins, 

 small ermins, bears, racoons, and sea-otters. Of 

 these, the most common were the martin, racoon, and 

 sea-otter-skins, which composed the ordinary dress 

 of the natives ; but the skins of the first, which in 

 general were of a much lighter brown than those of 

 Nootka, were far superior to them in fineness ; 

 whereas the last, which, as well as the martins, were 

 far more plentiful than at Nootka, seemed greatly 

 inferior in the fineness and thickness of their fur, 

 though they greatly exceeded them in size, and were 

 almost all of the glossy black sort, which is doubtless 

 the colour most esteemed in those skins. Bear and 



* With regard to these numerals, Mr. Anderson observes, that 

 the words corresponding to ours, are not certain after passing 

 three ; and therefore he marks those, about whose position he is 

 doubtful, with a point of interrogation. 



