EXTRACTS. 317 



those of the Esquimaux ; and the head or fore-part curves somewhat like the 

 head of a violin. 



" The weapons, and instruments for fishing and hunting, are the very same 

 that are made use of by the Esquimaux and Greenlanders ; and it is unnecessary 

 to be particular in my account of them, as they are all very accurately described 

 by Crantz. I did not see a single one with these people that he has not men- 

 tioned ; nor has he mentioned one that they have not." (Page 371, etc.). 



[Inhabitants of Oonalashka, Aleutian Islands]. "Political reasons may 

 have induced the Russians not to allow these islanders to have any large canoes ; 

 for it is difficult to believe they had none such originally, as we found them 

 amongst all their neighbors. The canoes made use of by the natives are the 

 smallest we had any where seen upon the American coast ; though built after 

 the same manner, with some little difference in the construction. The stern of 

 these terminates a little abruptly ; the head is forked ; the upper point of the 

 fork projecting without the under one, which is even with the surface of the 

 water. Why they should thus construct them is difficult to conceive ; for the 

 fork is apt to catch hold of every thing that comes in the way ; to prevent which, 

 they fix a piece of small stick from point to point. In other respects their canoes 

 are built after the manner of those used by the Greenlanders and Esquimaux ; 

 the framing being of slender laths, and the covering of seal-skins. They are 

 about twelve feet long ; a foot and a half broad in the middle ; and twelve or 

 fourteen inches deep. Upon occasion, they can carry two persons ; one of whom 

 is stretched at full length in the canoe ; and the other sits in the seat, or round 

 hole, which is nearly in the middle. Round this hole is a rim or hoop of wood, 

 about which is sewed gut-skin, that can be drawn together, or opened like a purse, 

 with leathern thongs fitted to the outer edge. The man seats himself in this 

 place ; draws the skin tight round his body over his gut frock, and brings the 

 ends of the thongs, or purse-string, over the shoulder to keep it in its place. The 

 sleeves of his frock are tied tight round his wrists ; and it being close round his 

 neck, and the hood drawn over his head, where it is confined by his cap, water 

 can scarcely penetrate either to his body, or into the canoe. If any should, how- 

 ever, insinuate itself, the boatman carries a piece of spunge, with which he dries 

 it up. He uses the double-bladed paddle, which is held with both hands in the 

 middle, striking the water with a quick regular motion, first on one side and then 

 on the other. By this means the -canoe is impelled at a great rate, and in a 

 direction as straight as a line can be drawn. In sailing from Egoochshak to 

 Samganoodha, two or three canoes kept way with the ship, though she was going 

 at the rate of seven miles an hour. 



" Their fishing and hunting implements lie ready upon the canoes, under 

 straps fixed for the purpose. They are all made, in great perfection, of wood 



