108 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



and the river above was a little broader, and barely fordable ; while 

 the strength of the current was somewhat increased. 



On returning to the boats, we perceived that numbers of men and 

 boys had crossed the river, and were seated on the bank in the midst 

 of our party. Others were diving for river-mussels, which they put 

 in a small bag of netting attached to the breast ; and they soon fur- 

 nished our cook with an opportunity of trying his hand at unio soup. 



In the afternoon, we commenced our return down the river; and 

 although detained by the survey operations, we reached Captain 

 Sutter's residence, in a little less than four days. 



These wild tribes offered the third instance met with on our 

 Voyage, of people living in a state of nudity : but unlike the Fue- 

 gians and Australians, this occurred in only one sex. The women 

 on the Sacramento wear clothing ; a state of things that brought to 

 mind Ledyard's encomium ; but I will not undertake to offer any con- 

 jecture as to the cause of this remarkable difference. The dress of the 

 women is a cincture, composed of narrow slips of fibrous bark, or of 

 strings of ' Californian flax' (Apocynum), or sometimes of rushes. It 

 varies, however, from the Polynesian cincture, in being longer, and 

 open at the sides. 



In addition to their domestic avocations, and the bringing of water 

 from the river, the women appeared to take a principal part in procur- 

 ing the food ; that portion of it at least, which is derived from the 

 vegetable kingdom. They collected the grass-seed and other small 

 seeds; but with regard to procuring acorns, I am uninformed. The 

 men seemed to lead a comparatively indolent life; and from the anxiety 

 manifested to get hold of two antelopes we had killed, it was inferred 

 that they were not expert in procuring game. As far as my own ob- 

 servation extended, the marriage tie appeared to be recognised; and I 

 was informed by others, that "the men in general have but one wife." 



The Californians differ from the other North American tribes, " in 

 the absence of the tomahawk, and of the practice of scalping." In- 

 fants are not carried on the board, neither did we see dogs about the 

 villages. A further diversity takes place in their political condition. 

 Accordino- to Mr. Marsh, among our eastern tribes (and the same 

 appeared to hold true in Oregon), " a chief has no other authority 

 than the influence arising from personal character; but among the 

 Californians, there is something more :" a remark confirmed by our 

 own short experience. 



In all these points, Polynesian analogies will be perceived ; and 

 seme additional ones may be enumerated. Thus, we were reminded 



