Mr Scolder's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. 53 



different species of American currant, and the beautiful Tril- 

 liams and Smilacinae were beginning to expand their blossoms, 

 and the Mosses and Jungermanniae, nourished by the winter 

 rains, were covered with capsules. On our return we collect- 

 ed a few specimens of a small Polypodium, which is probably 

 new to the American Flora. 



The appearance of vegetation differed considerably from that 

 to which we had been previously accustomed. The whole country 

 appeared one continued pine forest ; but on a closer examina- 

 tion, we found many places, which, from their marshy nature, 

 refused support to the larger trees. These were covered by 

 various grasses, and abounded in willows, and various kinds 

 of currant. In more open places, as along the banks of the 

 river, different kinds of brambles abound, many of them pe- 

 culiar to this part of America, and equally distinguished for 

 the beauty of their flowers, and the flavour of their fruit. But 

 nothing is more worthy of notice than the verdure which is 

 found throughout the year under the shade of the pine trees. 

 This appearance arises from the sallal (Gualtheria shallon) 

 whose evergreen leaves ornament these otherwise sterile situa- 

 tions, while they form the important article of support to the 

 natives. At the time of our arrival there was no snow on the 

 ground, and it is rarely seen even in winter. Vegetation at this 

 time (April) was little more forward than in England at the 

 same season, but it soon advanced with a rapidity unknown in 

 England. 



10th. — This morning we were called on deck by the agree- 

 able intelligence that several canoes were approaching, and in 

 a short time we had five of them around the vessel, containing 

 several families of Indians. Our interesting visitors were of a 

 light olive complexion, and small stature, seldom exceeding 

 five feet six inches. Their long straight dark hair extending 

 down their shoulders, and careful extirpation of their beards, 

 made them appear much younger than they really were. Their 

 foreheads were remarkably flat, and their cheek-bones rather 

 prominent. Several of them were clothed in articles of Euro- 

 pean manufacture, as shirts, blankets and stockings, which 

 they wore without shoes ; others had only their native dresses. 

 The individuals of this last class had only a robe made of the 



