VOL. UC.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. ^9 



kind is one of the most beautiful feathered birds ever seen, its colours being 

 more bright and vivid than those of the parrot, and far more various. 



Toward the latter end of May, the country began to be really agreeable ; the 

 weather being neither too hot, nor so cold, but that one might walk any where 

 without being troubled with any disagreeable sensation : and the dandelion, hav- 

 ing grown pretty luxuriant, made most excellent sallad to our roast geese. On 

 June 1 6th, the ice of the river broke up, and went to sea; we now set our nets, 

 and caught great plenty of fine salmon; Mr. W. has known upwards of 90 

 caught in one tide. They had besides, fishermen up the river, who brought 

 down plenty of pyke, mathoy, and titty meg; these last two being fish peculiar 

 to this country, and both very good. But, in enumerating the fish, he must 

 not omit the kepling, which comes about the middle of July. This fish is 

 nearly of the size of a smelt, and has exactly the same smell ; but its back is 

 much darker, and it is not quite so thick as a smelt in proportion to its length, 

 more especially toward the head : according to his opinion, it exceeds in point of 

 delicacy every other fish whatever, and is in such plenty, that they are thrown 

 up, and left on the shore by the surf of the sea; but then it must be owned that 

 this rarity can never be had above a fortnight in a year, and sometimes not so 

 long. This fish is well known on the banks of Newfoundland. About the be- 

 ginning of July they also got plenty of very fine radishes ; and the tops of the 

 turnips began to grow large enough to boil for greens to their beef and salt 

 geese. Also, towards the middle, they had very fine lettuce, so that if the 

 muschettos had not paid them a visit about the beginning of the month likewise, 

 the last 2 or 3 months would have been extremely agreeable; but taking altoge- 

 ther, he thinks that the winter is the more agreeable part of the year. 



Mr. W. then adds such remarks as he had been able to make, relative to the 

 natural history of the country ; its inhabitants, soil, air, produce, &c. And first 

 with respect to the inhabitants : they are of a middle size, but rather tall than 

 otherwise; very spare and thin; he never saw one, either man or woman, in- 

 clined to be fleshy ; they are of a copper colour, with wide mouths, thick lips, 

 and long, straight, black hair ; of which they are immoderately fond, and would 

 not have it cut, except on the death of a friend, for any thing that you can give 

 them ; their eyes are black, and the most beautiful ever seen. The rest of their 

 features vary as those of Europeans do. Their disposition seems to be of the 

 melancholic kind; good-natured, friendly, and hospitable to each other, and to 

 the Europeans ; and he believes the most honest creatures that are any where to 

 be met with. They do not readily forget an injury; but will never revenge it 

 when they are sober. They have no laws to regulate their conduct, except that 

 of reason; which, in their sober moments, they are seldom known to transgress. 

 They converse extremely well on subjects which they understand, and are re- 



