340 The Natural Historg 



Formerly in their hunting Matches they used to dress 

 themselves very artfuelly in Deer Skins, by which counterfet 

 they would come as near the Deer as they pleased^ by mimick- 

 ing each Gesture of that Beast as they approached, by which 

 means they killed vast numbers of them, but some of them- 

 selves being shot in this disguise, it is now intirely laid aside 

 and that practice disallowed of by the express Orders of their 

 Kings. 



They have particular Methods by which they can preserve 

 the Eyes of Beasts as if they were still living, this they will 

 by no means discover to the Christians; they have many other 

 curious things that the Europeans are desirous to know and 

 learn from them, but they will by no means discover or make 

 known to them, being a People that are secret, crafty, and 

 subtile in all their Affairs, though of ever so small a moment. 



Although these Indians, in respect of us, are a poor People, 

 and their want of Skill and Judgment in the Knowledge and 

 use of the Sciences, generally esteem Trifles to things of real 

 value, not having the advantages of improving themselves as 

 the Europeans ; yet in their own manner and way of Think- 

 ing, they seem to be ingenious, and shew excellency of Wit, 

 notwithstanding the many inconveniencies they labour under, 

 and their want of Tools and Instruments to assist them in anv 

 of their Undertakings, for I have, during my continuance 

 amongst them, seen many useful Instruments made for sev- 

 eral uses, with nothing but an indifferent Knife. 



They commonly barbecu or dry their Yenison on Mats or 

 Hurdles in the Sun, first salting it with their Salt, which is 

 made of the Ashes of the Hichery Wood; this Venison so 

 cured, they keep and make use of in time of scarcity, and bad 

 Weather, which they tear to pieces with their Hands and 

 Teeth (for want of Knives) and then put it into a Morter 



aud 



