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and other weapons were sliaped exactly like those of Nootka, but none were 

 pointed with copper or with nui.scleshelLs. 'ilie three former were generally 

 barbed, and those pointed with common flint, agate, and bone seemed of 

 their original workmanship. Yet more of their arrows were observed to be 

 pointed with thin, flat iron than with bone or flint, and it was very singnlar 

 that they should prefer exchanging those pointed with iron to any of the 

 others. Iheir bows were of a superior construction; these, in general, were 

 from two and a half to three feet in length ; the broadest part in the middle 

 was about an inch and a half and about three-quarters of an inch thick, 

 neatly made, graduallj- tapering to each end, which terminated in a shoulder 

 and hook for the security of the bow-string. They were all made of yew, 

 and chosen with a naturally-inverted curve suited to the method of using 

 them. From end to end of the concave side, which when strung becnnie 

 the convex part, a very strong strip of an elastic hide is attached to some, 

 and the skins of serpents to others, exactly the shape and length of the bow, 

 neatly and firmly affixed to the wood by means of a cement, the adhesive 

 property of which I never saw or heard of being equaled. It is not to be 

 afi:ected by either dry or damp weather, and forms so strong a connection 

 with the wood as to prevent a separation M'ithout destroying the component 

 parts of both. The bow-string is made of the sinew of some marine animal, 

 laid loose, in order to be twisted at pleasure, as the temperature of the atmo- 

 sphere may require to j)reserve it at a proper length. Thus is this very 

 neat little weapon rendered portable, elastic, and effective in the highest 

 degree, if we may be allowed to judge by the dexterity with which it was 

 used by one of the natives at Port Discovery. 



"We had little opportunity of acquiring any satisfactory information 

 with regard to the public regulations or private economy of these people. 

 The situation and appearance of the places we found them generally inhab- 

 iting indicating their being much accustomed to change of residence ; the 

 deserted villages tend to strengthen the conjecture of their being wanderers. 

 Territorial property appeared to be of little importance ; there was plenty 

 of room for their fixed habitations, and those of a tempoi-ary nature, which 

 we now found them mostly to occupy, being principally composed of 

 crossed sticks covered with a few mats, as easily found a spot for their erec- 



