476 cook's voyage to oct. 



We must reckon amongst the food of the natives 

 some other wild roots j the stalk of a plant resembling 

 angelica, and berries of several different sorts ; such 

 as bramble-berries, cran-berries, hurtle-berries, heath- 

 berries, a small red berry, which, in Newfoundland, 

 is called partridge-berry ; and another brown berry, 

 unknown to us. This has somewhat of the taste of 

 a sloe, but is unlike it in every other respect. It is 

 very astringent, if eaten in any quantity. Brandy 

 might be distilled from it. Captain Gierke attempted 

 to preserve some ; but they fermented, and became 

 as strong as if they had been steeped in spirits. 



There were a few other plants which we found 

 serviceable, but are not made use of by either Rus- 

 sians or natives ; such as wild purslain, pea-tops, a, 

 kind of scurvy-grass, cresses, and some others. All 

 these we found very palatable, dressed either in soups 

 or in sallads. On the low ground, and in the valleys* 

 is plenty of grass, which grows very thick, and to a 

 great length. I am of opinion that cattle might sub- 

 sist at Oonalashka all the year round, without being 

 housed. And the soil, in many places, seemed ca- 

 pable of producing grain, roots, and vegetables. 

 But, at present, the Russian traders and the natives 

 seem satisfied with what nature brings forth. 



Native sulphur was seen amongst the inhabitants 

 of the island ; but I had no opportunity of learning 

 where they got it. We found also ochre ; a stone that 

 gives a purple colour, and another that gives a very 

 good green. It may be doubted whether this last is 

 known. In its natural state, it is of a greyish green 

 colour, coarse and heavy. It easily dissolves in oil ; 

 but when put into water, it entirely loses its pro- 

 perties. It seemed to be scarce in Oonalashka ;. but 

 we were told that it was in greater plenty on the 

 island of Oonemak. As to the stones about the 

 shore and hills, I saw nothing in them that was 

 uncommon. 



The people of Oonalashka bury their dead on the 



