COLUMBIA RIVER. 319 



Our anchorage in Port Discovery was close to the shore, in twenty- 

 seven fathoms water. It is a well-protected harbour, and very con- 

 venient of access, but the depth of water and the high precipitous 

 banks, would almost preclude its being made the seat of a settlement. 



The name of Port Discovery was given by Vancouver. It is 

 eight miles long, two miles in average width, and its points, which 

 terminate in low sandy projections, interlock each other. The shores 

 are supplied with large quantities of shell-fish. Protection Island 

 covers it completely to the north, and would render it easily defensive 

 against the most formidable attack. The only objection to it as a 

 harbour is that already spoken of, the great depth of the water, which 

 in the middle is no where less than forty or fifty fathoms, and is often 

 as much as sixteen fathoms close to the shore. 



The Indians whom we found dwelling here are of the Clalam 

 tribe. They occupy a few miserable lodges on one of the points, and 

 are a most filthy race, so much so indeed that to enter their lodges is 

 absolutely disgusting. They are no more than a few rudely-cut slabs, 

 covered in part by coarse mats. 



There is no permanent settlement of Indians at Port Discovery, 

 and during our stay we had visiters from the various neighbouring 

 tribes. The two sexes of all who visited us were dressed almost alike, 

 and can hardly be distinguished in external appearance from each 

 other : both wear their hair long, and both are equally dirty. All the 

 adults have their heads much flattened, which appears to be per- 

 formed as it is among the more southern tribes, by compressing the 

 frontal and occipital bones by several thicknesses of bark, until they 

 become set, and the head takes a permanent shape. 



Their children seem to give them but little trouble: in their infancy 

 they are tied to a piece of bark, which is hung to a tree or pole, where 

 it is kept in motion by a string fastened to the toe of the mother, as is 

 represented in the wood-cut at the end of the chapter. 



These Indians appear to have but few of the comforts, and barely 

 the necessaries, of life. They live principally on fish, shell-fish, the 

 cammass-root, and potatoes. They have muskets and bows and 

 arrows : the bows are short and small, but possess great strength, 

 and are made of yew : their arrows are pointed with iron or bone. 



They also possess large sheath-knives, which they procure from the 

 Hudson Bay Company, in exchange for furs, and from the same 

 source they obtain blankets. For these articles the Company has a 



