28 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



Slavery exists among the Chinooks, though from all accounts, in 

 a somewhat milder form than among their Northern neighbours. It 

 was reported, whether on sufficient authority I was unable to ascer- 

 tain, "that the descendants of slaves obtain freedom at the expira- 

 tion of three centuries, and that thej liave the means of keeping the 

 reckoning" : and further, that slaves may in general be distinguished by 

 the head not being flattened, though they are careful to perform this 

 process on their children." The practice of slavery is possibly con- 

 nected with the first peopling of the American continent; and we are 

 at the precise geographical position which may be regarded in many 

 respects as the natural point of influx : but on this subject Mr. Hale's 

 ethnographical map, considered in reference to the existence of a pass 

 over the Snowy range of mountains, affords further elucidation. 



A surveying party having been despatched across the Straits, some 

 canoes of the Yookulty made their appearance, a circumstance said 

 to have produced a lively sensation among the accompanying Chi- 

 nooks ; but the operations of the survey were interrupted,, without the 

 opportunity of an interview. Some Nootka masks were procured 

 through a different source ; and they are ornamented with pieces of 

 the Halyotis shell, which is likewise a favourite article with the coast 

 tribes of California. 



Such is the superior mildness of the winter in this region, that the 

 H. B. Company's steamboat runs through the inland channels as far 

 as latitude 5S° N., throughout the year. Some marvellous accounts 

 were related to us of the more Northern tribes; of "their unwil- 

 lingness to admit any superiority in the White man; and of their 

 attempts to discover the motive power in the steamboat, after con- 

 structing various devices in imitation." Eye-witnesses agreed in their 

 superior lightness of complexion over the Chinooks : and a tribe was 

 spoken of, who apply " pressure to the cranium in such a manner that 

 the top is elevated." That mechanical skill and refinement increase 

 on advancing North, is evident from the manufacture of another de- 

 scription of leather, from the richly embroidered cloaks, from the 

 paintings, and from the canoes, which will be spoken of hereafter. 



With respect to the future prospects of these maritime tribes, the 

 greater density of a spirited population, and the scanty proportion of 



