1778. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 443 



pally of deer skins, was made after the same fashion ; 

 and they observed the custom of boring their under 

 lips, and fixing ornaments to them. 



The dwellings of these people were seated close to 

 the beach. They consist simply of a sloping roof, 

 without any side-walls, composed of logs, and co- 

 vered with grass and earth. The floor is also laid 

 with logs ; the entrance is at one end ; the fire-place 

 just within it ; and a small hole is made near the door 

 to let out the smoke. 



After breakfast a party of men were sent to the 

 peninsula for brooms and spruce. At the same time 

 half the remainder of the people in each ship had 

 leave to go and pick berries. These returned on 

 board at noon, when the other half went on the same 

 errand. The berries to be got here were wild cur- 

 rant-berries, hurtle-berries, partridge-berries, and 

 heath-berries. I also went ashore myself, and walked 

 over part of the peninsula. In several places there 

 was very good grass ; and I hardly saw a spot on 

 which some vegetable was not growing. The low 

 land which connects this peninsula with the conti- 

 nent, is full of narrow creeks, and abounds with 

 ponds of water, some of which were already frozen 

 over. There were a great many geese and bustards, 

 but so shy that it was not possible to get within 

 musket-shot of them. We also met with some snipes ; 

 and on the high ground were partridges of two sorts. 

 Where there was any wood, musquitoes were in 

 plenty. Some of the officers, who travelled farther 

 than I did, met with a few of the natives of both 

 sexes, who treated them with civility. 



It appeared to me that this peninsula must have 

 been an island in remote times ; for there were marks 

 of the sea having flowed over the isthmus. And, 

 even now, it appeared to be kept out by a bank of 

 sand, stones, and wood, thrown up by the waves. 

 By this bank it was evident that the land was here 



