FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY. 41 



eastward of that river ; but such an event, if it occurred 

 at all, must have been at a very early period, and 

 the return was caused probably by the inability to 

 extend their footing on the American shore. I deem 

 it, therefore, the preferable course to treat of the two 

 tribes as one, excepting where peculiar distinctions 

 occur. 



I shall make but slight mention of the country, 

 since it is almost vain to seek in this truly desolate 

 region any more than the least fruitful indications 

 of an elsewhere bountiful Nature. The Flora is 

 especially meagre ; mosses and lichens, with a very 

 few stunted twigs of the Andromeda class, are all that 

 are to be found. Ranges of hills cross and recross 

 each other with little of variety in their general shape, 

 all betokening a volcanic origin ; and in many, old 

 craters are clearly visible ; but I know, by report, 

 only of one mountain now burning. 



One of the first visits, in their own style, paid to 

 the natives, I had the good fortune to share in ; and 

 in describing it, I shall take the opportunity of men- 

 tioning many interesting points. Mahkatzan, to whose 

 hut we were to repair, had brought over sledges and 

 dogs for the journey. Mr. Martin and myself had 

 therefore only to make arrangements for our own com- 

 fort, and to provide a few trifles for our hosts. The 



