Odobcr. 



320 AVOYAGETO 



1778. and berries of feveral different forts ; fuch as bramble ber- 

 ries ; cranberries j hurtle-bcnies ; heath-berries ; a fmall 

 red berry, which, in Newfoundland, is called partridge- 

 berry ; and another brown berry, unknown to us. This 

 has fomewhat of the tafte of a floe, but is unlike it in every 

 other refpecft. It is very aflringenr, if eaten in any quan- 

 tity. Brandy might be diftilled from it. Captain Gierke 

 attempted to preferve fome ; but they fermented, and be- 

 came as flrong as if they had been fteeped in fpirits. 



There were a few other plants, which we found fervice- 

 able, but are not made ufe of by either Ruffians or natives. 

 Such as wild purflain ; pea-tops ; a kind of fcurvy-grafs ; 

 creffes, and fome others. All thefe, we found very palat- 

 able, dreffed either in foups or in fallads. On the low 

 ground, and in the vallies, is plenty of grafs, which grows 

 very thick, and to a great length. I am of opinion, that 

 cattle might fubfift at Oonalaflika all the year round, without 

 being houfed. And the foil, in many places, feemed ca- 

 pable of producing grain, roots, and vegetables. But, at 

 prefent, the Ruffian traders, and the natives, feem fatisfied 

 with what nature brings forth. 



Native fulphur was feen amongfl the inhabitants of the 

 ifland ; but I had no opportunity of learning where they 

 got it. We found alfo ochre ; a flone that gives a purple 

 colour; and another that gives a very good green. It may 

 be doubted, whether this laft is known. In its natural flate, 

 it is of a greyifli green colour, coarfc and heavy. It eafily 

 diffolvcs in oil ; but when put into water, it entirely lofcs its 

 properties. It feemed to be fcarce in Oonalaflika ; but we were 

 told, that it was in greater plenty on the ilhmd Ooncmak. 

 As to the floncs about the fliore and hills, I faw nothing in 

 tlicm that was uncommon. 



The 



