1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 281 



I cannot conclude this digression without observ- 

 ing, that the Kamtschadales very thankfully acknow- 

 ledge their obligations to the bears for what little 

 advancement they have hitherto made, either in the 

 sciences or polite arts. They confess that they owe 

 to them all their skill both in physic and surgery ; that 

 by remarking with what herbs these animals rub the 

 wounds they have received, and what they have re- 

 course to when sick and languid, they have become 

 acquainted with most of the simples in use among 

 them, either in the way of internal medicine, or ex- 

 ternal application. But what will appear somewhat 

 more singular is, they acknowledge the bears like- 

 wise for their dancing-masters. Indeed, the evidence 

 of one's senses puts this out of dispute; for the bear- 

 dance of the Kamtschadales is an exact counterpart 

 of every attitude and gesture peculiar to this animal, 

 through its various functions ; and this is the found- 

 ation and ground-work of all their other dances, and 

 what they value themselves most upon. 



I returned to the ships on the 28th, very well 

 pleased with my excursion, as it had afforded me an 

 opportunity of seeing a little more of the country, 

 and of observing the manners and behaviour of the 

 Kamtschadales, when freed from that constraint 

 which they evidently lie under in the company of the 

 Russians. 



No occurrence worth mentioning took place till 

 the 30th, when Captain Gore went to Paratounca, to 

 put up in the church there an escutcheon, prepared 

 by Mr. Webber, with an inscription upon it, setting 

 forth Captain Clerke's age and rank, and the object 

 of the expedition in which he was engaged at the 

 time of his decease. We also affixed to the tree 

 under which he was buried a board, with an inscrip- 

 tion upon it to the same effect. 



Before his departure, Captain Gore left orders with 

 me to get the ships out of the harbour into the bay, 

 to be in readiness to sail. We were prevented from 



