NORTHWESTERN AMERICA. 



IN the long and narrow section of this continent included between 

 the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, and extending from the country 

 of the Esquimaux on the north to the Californian peninsula on the 

 south, there are found, perhaps, a greater number of tribes speaking 

 distinct languages than in any other territory of the same size in the 

 world. Not only do these tribes differ in their idioms, but also in 

 personal appearance, character, and usages. For convenience of 

 description, however, they may be arranged under four classes or 

 divisions, each of which includes a number of tribes resembling one 

 another in certain general traits. 



1. The Northwest division. The tribes of this class inhabit the 

 coast between the peninsula of Alaska, in latitude 60, and Queen 

 Charlotte's Sound, in latitude 52. This part of the country was not 

 visited by us, and the information obtained concerning it was derived 

 chiefly from individuals of the Hudson's Bay Company. They 

 described the natives as resembling the white race in some of their 

 physical characteristics. They are fair in complexion, sometimes 

 with ruddy cheeks ; and, what is very unusual among the aborigines 

 of America, they have thick beards, which appear early in life. In 

 other respects, their physiognomy is Indian, a broad face, with wide 

 cheek-bones, the opening of the eye long and narrow, and the fore- 

 head low. 



From the accounts received concerning them, they would appear 

 to be rather an ingenious people. They obtain copper from the 

 mountains which border the coast, and make of it pipe-bowls, gun- 

 charges, and other similar articles. Of a very fine and hard slate 

 they make cups, plates, pipes, little images, and various ornaments, 

 wrought with surprising elegance and taste. Their clothing, houses, 

 and canoes, display like ingenuity, and are well adapted to their cli- 

 mate and mode of life. On the other hand, they are said to be filthy 

 in their habits, and of a cruel and treacherous disposition. 



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