28'I FRQM OONALASHKA 



requires particular dexterity. Two sit on the 

 ground opposite each other, holding in their hands 

 a number of thin sticks, and these being thrown 

 up at the same time with great rapidity, they im- 

 mediately guess whether the number is odd or 

 even ; at the side of each of the players, a per- 

 son sits, who scores the gain and loss. As 

 they always play for something, and yet possess 

 nothing but their clothing, which they are not 

 allowed to stake, they employ much pains and skill 

 on little white shells, which serve instead of money. 

 The coast of California is inhabited by so many 

 tribes, that there are frequently in the Mission, 

 Indians of more than ten different races, each of 

 which has its own language. As we were leaving 

 the Mission, we were surprised by two groups of 

 Indians, which were also composed of different 

 nations. They came in military array ; that is, quite 

 naked, and painted with gay colours: the heads of 

 the most were adorned with feathers, and other 

 finery ; some of them however had their long 

 disordered hair covered with down, and their faces 

 daubed in the most frightful manner. There is 

 nothing remarkable in their war-dance, and I only 

 regretted that 1 did not understand the words of 

 their song. The physiognomy of these Indians is 

 ugly, stupid, and savage, otherwise they are well 

 formed, tolerably tall, and of a dark brown com- 

 plexion: the women are short, and very ugly; they 

 have much of the negro in their countenance, only 



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