236 Dr Brewster on the separation of 



and naked summit no canoes were deposited, but they were 

 all placed on the side towards the river, and in such a manner, 

 that I suspect it was intended they should fall into the water 

 when they became decayed. Near some canoes there were 

 large boards painted with various figures, but generally that 

 of the human face ; to the boards were affixed little bunches 

 of feathers, and in some cases narrow slips of red cloth. On 

 the top of many of the canoes they had placed wooden dishes 

 such as they use in cooking their fish, and other domestic uten- 

 sils. The bodies with their ornaments were enveloped in 

 mats of Typlia latifblia, and the canoes covered with boards, 

 and secured by having stones placed on them. On opening 

 one of these canoes of the dead, a large snake issued out as if 

 to repel all intruders on these melancholy abodes, and many of 

 these reptiles were seen around the other canoes. The occur- 

 rence of serpents around the abodes of the dead is known in 

 all countries, and sometimes attracted the attention of the poets. 

 This method of depositing the dead is peculiarly affecting. 

 Every exertion of Indian ingenuity is exerted to show their re- 

 spect to deceased friends. Their most valuable property is 

 deposited along with them, and the solitude and wildness of the 

 places they select, add much to these impressions. When once 

 the body is placed in the place of the dead, the name of the 

 deceased is never mentioned on any occasion, but they allude 

 to him as the relation of some surviving friend. The feeling 

 that makes them refuse to pronounce the name of their dead 

 friends, prevents them from visiting their cemeteries unless on 

 some very important occasion. The stormy weather that fa- 

 voured my purpose of examining this curious spot continued 

 without interruption till we left the Columbia, where we ex- 

 changed its dense fogs and constant showers for a brighter sky 

 and a more pleasing climate. 



Art. X. — On the separation of Epistilbite Jrom Heulandite, 

 as demonstrated by optical characters. By David Brews- 

 ter, LL. D. F. R. S. Lond. and Sec. R. S. Edin. 



In the eighth Number of this Journal we had the satisfaction 



