Gatschet.] 41^ [June 19, 



also square and oblong pits for provisions, steam-bath huts covered with 

 skins and heated with stones. In the burying-places were found radiated 

 iron pyrites to strike fire, cooking vessels, a doll, and wooden images of 

 persons.' All this was discovered by Cormack's Expedition, 1827, which 

 crossed the island in search of Red Indians in behalf of the "Beothic 

 Society for the civilization of the native savages." 



Lloyd mentions the fact, that the Red Indians obtained fire by igniting 

 the down of the bluejay by sparks struck from two pieces of iron pyrites 

 (v, p. 225). This bird is the Canadian jay, Corvus canadensis, and the 

 pyrites is known on the island by the term mundic, "flint and steel," 

 which seems to be of Cornish origin (J P. Howley). They also were sup- 

 posed to be gifted with witchcraft, for when attacked, they could raise 

 a fog, in whlcli they made their escape. The "Red Indian devil," as 

 seen at Great Lake, was known by the name : ashmodsliim or ashmodyim, 

 " wicked man." J. Peyton thought that if they had any worship at all, 

 it was that of the sun. To Mr. Howley he gave the following picture of 

 their exterior (Lloyd, v, p. 226) : ' ' The Beothuks were a much finer and 

 handsomer race than the Micmacs, having more regular features and aqui- 

 line noses ; nor were they so dark in the skin. They were of middle 

 stature, and of a very active build. They did not appear to be so fond of 

 gaudy colors as their continental neighbors." 



To conclude this short expose of ethnologic peculiarities of the tribe, I 

 quote from Lloyd (v, p. 245) the conclusions embodying the results to 

 which his studies have led him : 



"The Beothuks possessed, in many respects, characteristics belonging 

 to many of the tribes inhabiting the North American continent, whilst, on 

 the other hand, they appeared to ditTer from them in certain peculiarities, 

 which were as follows : Lightness of complexion. The use of trenches in 

 their wigwams for sleeping-places. The peculiar form of their canoes. The 

 custom of living in a state of isolation far apart from the white inhabitants 

 of the island, and their persistent refusal to submit to any attempts to civi- 

 lize them. The non-domestication of the dog amongst them. The art of 

 making pottery was unknown amongst them." 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



A list of printed books treating of Newfoundland during the period 

 from the discovery up to the year 1810 will be found in Bonnycastle's 

 vol. i, 336-344. 



Articles and books on Newfoundland, in which express mention is made 

 of the Beothuk Indians, are contained m the following list, which makes 

 no pretense of being exhaustive : 



Chappell, Lieut. Edw., Voyage to Newfoundland, Lond. 1818, 8vo, 

 illustrated. In the chapter treating of "Red Indians," pp. 169-187, he 

 quotes Whitbourue's "Discovrse and Discovery of New Foundland." 



Bonnycastle, Sir E. H., Newfoundland in 1842. Two vols. Lond., 

 1842, 12mo. His chapter on Red Indians embraces i, pp. 251-278. 



