I02 STELLER'S JOURNAL 



clouded over again each time. We could not 224 stay longer in 

 this place, as the wind had now veered to the southwest; we 

 therefore weighed anchor about two o'clock in the afternoon and 

 just then saw two Americans in their boats paddling towards 

 shore. We tried to reach a place where we could again stay pro- 

 tected on the west by the island, and a place such as we wanted 

 was found about five o'clock, and we anchored once more.225 

 About half an hour later we again saw nine Americans in their 

 boats paddling in single file towards the ship, with similar 

 shouts and ceremonies as the first time. However, only two of 

 them came near to our vessel and once more made us presents 

 of sticks with falcon feathers and of iron-colored face paint. On 

 their heads they had hats made of the bark of trees, colored 

 green and red, that resembled in shape the eye shades that are 

 usually worn around the head; the crown was uncovered, and 

 these hats appeared to have been invented only for the purpose 

 of shading the eyes from the sun.226 Between the hat and the 

 forehead some had placed a few variegated falcon feathers, 

 others tufts of grass, 22^ in the same manner as the Americans on 

 the east side, about Brazil, decorate themselves with feather 

 tufts. From these hats an argument might again be derived for 

 the supposition that the Americans came from Asia, because the 



direct reversal of Steller's corresponding statement later in the journal 

 (footnote 418). By the time Pallas published Steller's journal (1793) the 

 geography of the northwestern part of the continent was known in its 

 broad outlines, mainly through the work of Captain Cook, and Pallas 

 therefore used his editorial prerogative in this case to adjust his author's 

 views to the known facts, although elsewhere (e.g. note between foot- 

 notes 163 and 164, above) he supplies necessary corrections in the form 

 of footnotes. The present instance, however, illustrates the value of 

 having the MS of the journal at hand to supplement the published ver- 

 sion. (J) 



224 In the printed text the word "leicht," easily, is a misprint for 

 "nicht," not, as correctly given in the MS. 



225 Off Bird Island (see Vol. i, p. 337, and, above. Figs. 12 and 13). 



226 For a representation of one of these hats, see Vol. i. Fig. 12, lower. 



227 The published text has "buschigt Grass"; the MS, gramen panicula- 

 turn. 



