THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. 3 



had then been removed within the limits of the Eeserve, and joined with Neeah 

 village. This census showed a table of 202 men, 232 women, 111 boys, 95 girls, 

 and 23 infants, a total of six himdred and sixty-three. It appears from the 

 above, that from 1861 to 1863, there had been but little change in the whole 

 number, the births and deaths being nearly equal. While other tribes have 

 been decreasing since 1852 (at which time the smallpox swept off a large number of 

 them), this one seems to have been spared. The fact may be accounted for, in 

 great measure, by their distance from the white settlements, and the smaU 

 quantity of alcoholic poison which finds its way among them. But morally they 

 are not at aU in advance of their neighbors, and if the means of procurmg whiskey 

 were as readily at hand, they would soon become as degraded, and their numbers 

 be as rapidly reduced, as the Chinook, ChihaHs, Cowlitz, ClaUam, Chemakum and 

 other tribes of Washington Territory. 



Physical Constitution. — The Makahs are of medium stature, averaging about 

 five feet four inches ; a few men of the tribe may be found who measure six 

 feet, but only three or four of that height were noticed. Their limbs are com- 

 monly well proportioned, with a good development of muscle. Some are sym- 

 metrically formed, and of unusual strength. Although to a superficial observer 

 they present much similarity of appearance, yet a further acquaintance, and closer 

 examination, show that there is in reality a marked diversity. Some have black 

 hair; very dark brown eyes, almost black; high cheek-bones, and dark copper- 

 colored skin ; others have reddish hair, and a few, particularly among the children, 

 light flaxen locks, light brown eyes, and fair skin, many of them almost white — 

 a fact perhaps attributable to an admixture of white blood of Spanish and Enssian 

 stock.^ 



The custom of flattening the forehead, as observed among the Chinook, Chihalis, 

 and other tribes south of Cape Flattery, does not appear to be in general use among 

 the Makahs. This practice is not common among the Clyoquot and Nootkans 

 (Tokwaht) to the north, and as the Makahs have intermarried with the tribes 

 both north and south, we find it confined principally to those families who are 

 related to the Kwinaiults, Chihalis, and ClaUams. It is not uncommon to see 

 children, belonging to the same parents, some of whom have their heads as 

 nature made them, while others are deformed by compressing them in infancy. 

 I am not prepared to state positively what mental effect is produced by this com- 

 pression of the skull, but from my own experience among the children there seems 

 to be but little difference in their capacity for acquiring information, or in their 

 desire for instruction; the most proficient, however, appear to be those with naturally 

 formed heads. It would require an extended and close observation for a series of 

 years, marking the growth of these children to mature age, and noting the various 

 peculiarities of a number selected for the purpose, before any reliable results could 

 be had on which to found a correct judgment. 



• In Holmberg's Work will be found an account of the wreck of a Russian ship, the survivors 

 of whose crew lived several years among the Makahs, As late as 1854, I saw their descendants, 

 who bore in their features unmistakable evidence of their origin. (G. G.) 



