NORTHWESTERN AMERICA. 213 



them liable to change their opinions and policy with every passing 

 impulse. These defects, though not inconsistent with many good 

 qualities, are yet exactly of the kind most difficult to overcome. 

 Until the Indians can be brought to reside in fixed habitations, it 

 is evident that there will be little opportunity for any permanent 

 improvement. And this can never take place until some other mode 

 shall be adopted by them for procuring their clothing, than that to 

 which they have been heretofore accustomed, namely, the chase, and 

 particularly that of the buffalo. Cultivation, though it may supply 

 them with food, tnly solves half the difficulty. It will be necessary, 

 if they are to depend on their own resources, that they should be 

 taught to raise sheep, and manufacture the wool ; but to do this will 

 require a steadiness of application altogether alien to their natural 

 disposition. 



N. WALAWALA. 

 WALLAWALLAS, PELOOSES, YAKEMAS, KLIKATATS, ETC. 



The territory bordering on the Columbia for some distance above 

 and below the junction of Lewis River, is in the possession of several 

 independent bands of Indians, who all speak one language, though 

 with some difference of dialect. The Wallawallas, properly so 

 called, are on a small stream which falls into the Columbia near Fort 

 Nez-perces. The Yakemas (laAkema) are on a large stream nearly 

 opposite. The Peloose tribe has a stream called after it, which 

 empties into Lewis River ; and the Klikatats ( Tytlukatat) wander in 

 the wooded country about Mount St. Helens. These, with other 

 minor bands, are supposed, by the missionaries, to number in all, 

 twenty-two hundred souls. 



They resemble the Sahaptin, to whom they are allied by language, 

 but are of a less hardy and active temperament. This proceeds, no 

 doubt, from their mode of life, which is very similar to that of the 

 Salish. Their principal food is the salmon, which they take chiefly 

 in the months of August and September. At this season they 

 assemble in great numbers about the Falls of the Columbia, which 

 form the most important fishing station of Oregon. At this time, 

 also, they trade with the Chinooks, who visit the Falls for the same 

 purpose. 



The Sahaptin and Wallawallas compress the head, but not so 

 much as the tribes near the coast. It merely serves with them to 



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