300 NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 



The colour of the younger natives is almost white, so much so as to 

 show the blush on the cheek ; and some of the women would with 

 difficulty be distinguished in colour from those of European race. 

 The women are to be seen weaving mats, after the Chinese fashion, of 

 bullrushes (Scirpus lacustris), which they place side by side and fasten 

 together at intervals. These are used, as has been stated, to cover the 

 framework of their lodges. 



Instead of the silver tube which has been spoken of, the women 

 have a white bone stuck through the cartilage of their noses. This 

 is kept bright, and may be said to be the only clean thing about their 

 persons. The whole burden of domestic occupation is thrown upon 

 them, for the men are to be seen lounging about the whole day in the 

 sun, and spend their nights in gambling. 



The canoes of this region differ from any thing we had seen on the 

 voyage. They are made from a single trunk, and have a shape that 

 may be considered elegant, and which is preserved from change by 

 stretching or warping by means of thwarts. The sides are exceed- 

 ingly thin, seldom exceeding three-fourths of an inch, and they are 

 preserved with great care, being never suffered to lie exposed to the 

 sun, for fear of rents and cracks. When these do occur, the canoe is 

 mended in a very ingenious manner ; holes are made in the sides, 

 through which withes are passed and pegged in such a way that the 

 strain will draw it tighter; the withe is then crossed, and the end 

 secured in the same manner. When the tying is finished, the whole 

 is pitched with the gum of the pine. This is neatly done, and answers 

 the purpose well. 



CANOE OF OREGON INDIANS. 



Although the natives we saw at Port Discovery appeared to be a 

 peaceable race, the neighbouring tribes are frequently at war, and 

 spoke of scalping, and other exploits, as practised by our own abori- 

 gines. 



Apprehensive that difficulties similar to those we met with m the 

 Feejee Group might possibly occur with these Indians, I deemed it 

 expedient to issue the following order. 



