24 YESSO. 



is prepared from the brains of the crow, the ashes of 

 tobacco, and two insects named yousiki and krombi ; 

 the latter is found in water, attached to stones or sticks. 

 These four ingredients, being mixed together and 

 allowed to become putrid, are then fit for use. Another 

 poison used is a preparation of the deadly nightshade. 

 The Ainos are a good-natured, kind, and obliging people, 

 and always appeared glad to see us strangers ; they are 

 neither rude nor inquisitive; on the contrary, they 

 invariably saluted us in meeting. The mode of saluta- 

 tion is far more ceremonious than might be expected 

 amongst such primitive beings. They drop on their 

 knees, make a low obeisance, lifting both hands to 

 a level with their head, stroke their long beards down, 

 and let their hands fall on their knees, palms up. 

 The women raise their hands, and rub their upper lip 

 under the nose with the forefinger of the right hand. 

 Beyond food and clothing their wants are nothing. 

 These being easily procurable, thoughts for the morrow 

 trouble them not. They are consequently, though a 

 grave, yet a happy race. The women, when paddling 

 about, fishing, etc., constantly sing wild queer ditties, 

 which are not without melody. Their dwellings are 

 very rough; grass matted over a square framework 

 of poles, with poles again lashed across outside. These 



