ru NATURAL AND CIVIL 



of navigation. In a canoe thus formed, four or 

 five Indians would pass a river, a large lake, or 

 a dangerous rapid, widi much safety, and dex- 

 terity. Another kind of canoe, was formed out 

 of the bark of the elm, or birch. This was the 

 Mork of but a few days, and was extremely- 

 light and convenient. It was of sufficient di- 

 mensions, to carry four or five Indians ; and so 

 light, that one of them could easily carry it on 

 his back. The dexterity of his management, 

 the swiftness of his voyage, and the safety with 

 which the Indians pass the falls, rapids, and 

 waves in this kind of boat, has appeared surpri- 

 sing to those persons, who were best acquainted 

 with the arts of navigation. And it seems to 

 have been the highest attainment, to which the 

 genius or invention of the Indian, had ever 

 arisen. 



In the application and use of particular ve- 

 getable, animal, and mineral substances, the In- 

 dians seem to have had some information, which 

 ought to have been more attended to, and better 

 ascertained. They certainly knew of some 

 substances, which gave the most vivid and per- 

 manent colours ; and of others which contain- 

 ed the most subtle, active, and powerful poi- 

 sons. In several cases of poisons, wounds, and 

 some other disorders, the Indians had the knowl- 

 edge of very valuable medicines : And they de- 

 rived support, refreshment, and medicine, from 

 several plants and vegetables, in which the Eng- 

 lish had not discovered any such virtues or 

 qualities. The knowledge of such ficts, was 

 the result of such observations, as experience 

 ig^turally produced. But as the Indian never 



