or LA PEROUSE. l^f 



decimeter in diameter. Some pieces of wood, 

 curved like an arch, render thefe little dwell- 

 ings tolerably folid. Their roof is thatched 

 with ftraw to the thicknefs of about two 

 thirds of a decimeter. Mats cover the ground, 

 on which the natives are perfedlly defended from 

 the inclemency of the weather ; but the fand- 

 flies are here fo troublefome, that they are ob- 

 liged to kindle a fire, in order to difpel them, 

 when they wifh to go to deep j and as the 

 fmoke has no vent but by the door, which is 

 very low, they muft thence be extremely in- 

 commoded. 



In the infide there was generally fctn a plank 

 placed horizontally, and fattened with cords, 

 at the height of nearly a meter from the ground 

 on one of the fides of the hut. On this only 

 light articles could be fet_, as the faflenings were 

 very weak. 



We obferved near fome of thefc dw llings 

 fmall heaps of earth, raifed three or four de- 

 cimeters, and covered towards the middle with 

 a very open lattice-work two or three meters 

 high. The favages call them nbouety and gave 

 us to underftand that this was a burial-place. 

 They inclined their head on one fide, fupport- 

 ing it with the hand ; they then fhut their eyes, 

 to cxprefs the repofe enjoyed by the remains of 

 the perfons here depofited. 



03 Oa 



