ATNATANAS ; NATIVES OF COPrEU IMVETJ, ALASKA. 



By Liont. IIexiiy T. Allex, TJ. 8. Army. 



Upon examination of the natives of Coi)per liiver it i.s fonnd tliat they 

 are as a rule between 5 feet G and 5 feet S inches liigii, tliongh occa- 

 sionally a man iiilly G feet is seen, and weigh about 140 pounds; that 

 the color of their skin is a brown, tinged with copper, and much darker 

 than that of their nearest coast neighbors ; that their hair is generally 

 straight, exceptionally wavy, and that their eyes are invariably black, 

 or nearl}^ so. A great difference in mobility of countenance was noticed, 

 the faces of some being nearly as capable of indicating emotions as 

 those of civilized people, whilst those of others are almost entirely de- 

 void of expression under any circumstances. 



Their muscular strength is not so remarkable as their ability to travel 

 great distances in a short time on scanty rations. Ample opportunity 

 was given for measuring their strength and endurance with those of 

 our party. The result of the first day's work was favorable to them, 

 but ever afterwards to us. It is true, however, that our party was 

 selected with special view to physical strength. 



It is an unusual occurrence to see a, father and mother with more th:in 

 three children. AVhether this small size of family be due to the hard- 

 ships incident to the gaining of a livelihood or to malpractice in some 

 of its forms, lam unable to say. It is a fact that with them, too, i)overty 

 may be blessed with children. I will instance, that one of the most des- 

 titute families I met consisted of father, mother, and four cliildren, 

 some of whom were sadly emaciated by hunger. The nature of their 

 food causes so much wearing of the teeth that children are found with 

 the first set worn almost to the gums. Sometimes in the case of adults 

 the teeth are worn to the gums while the body is yet in its prime. 



The faces show the result of subjection to hardships long before the 

 hair begins to turn gray. Owing to their ignorance of methods of com- 

 puting time, the ages could not be determined with any degree of defl- 

 niteness. Messala, however, who lives on left bank of (!opper, one day's 

 march from Taral, and, presumably, led the party of Massaon against 

 the Ilnssiank; in 1848, must then have been a man of mature years. 



The only sickness noticed among them other than result of hunger 

 was due to costiveness, which doubtless disappears during the run of 

 s:iliiion. P>ut one natural deformity — a shriveled leg — was seen, though 

 the toes of nearly all are almormally crooked from snow-shoe travel. 



Their sagacity in following trails and hunting game is probably not 

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