VOL. LXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 551 



are strangers to jealousy ; they do not appear to be at all quarrelsome, and they 

 very seldom steal from one another. They do not seem very passionate ; but 

 woe be to the woman that offends her husband. If polygamy was not allowed 

 among them, their numbers would be very few. Some of the women bear 

 many children ; but, in general, they are by no means fruitful. The wives 

 live happily together ; and, if deserving, share equally in their husband's favours. 

 These Indians cannot reckon numerically beyond six ; and their compound 

 numbers reach no farther than twenty-one. Every thing beyond is a multitude. 

 They navigate their shallops without a compass in the thickest fogs, and are very 

 good coasters. They have always a vast number of dogs in their camp, which 

 are of several uses. These animals serve as a guard ; they are food ; their 

 skins are valuable for cloathing ; and they draw their sledges in winter. They 

 have not the power of barking, but their howl is hideous ; they are large, and 

 have a head like a fox, whereas the dogs of the Mountaineers are extremely 

 small. The Samojedes and the Laplanders train the rein-deer to their sledges. 

 The country of Labradore produces these animals ; but they are only serviceable 

 to the Esquimeaux for food and raiment. The weapons of these Indians are, 

 the dart and the bow and arrow. They are not very expert in the use of either ; 

 though it is with these they defend themselves, and procure the necessaries of 

 life. 



As to their population, the Esquimeaux inhabitants of Labradore are far from 

 being numerous, but little exceeding 160O; and those savages who inhabit the 

 inland parts are still less numerous. 



XLI. An Account of some New Experiments in Electricity ; containing, I. An 

 Inquiry whether Fhpour be a Conductor of Electricity. 2. Some Experi- 

 ments to ascertain the Direction of the Electric Matter in the Discharge of 

 the Ley den Bottle : with a New Analysis of the Ley den Bottle. 3. Experi- 

 ments on the Lateral Explosion, in the Discharge of the Leyden Bottle. 

 4. The Description and Use of a New Prime Conductor. 5. Miscellaneous 

 Experiments, made principally in the years 177 i and 177'2- 6. Experiments 

 and Observations on the Electricity of Fugs, &c. in pursuance of those made 

 by Thos. Ronayne, Esq. By William Henley, F.R.S. p. 3 89. 



^ ] . An Inquiry whether Vapour he a Conductor of Electricity. 

 Exper. 1. I insulated a glass funnel (pi. 11, fig. 1,) into which the streams, 

 from a capillary tube, were directed by the electricity. From this funnel, the 

 electrified drops were received into a large insulated earthen dish ; across which 

 lay a long wire ; and from its end hung a pair of light cork balls. On working 

 the machine, after about 90 or 100 turns of the winch, and when fifty or sixty 

 drops had fallen into the dish, the balls separated, and presently diverged, to the 



