THE MALAY RACE. 109 



of the Hawaiians, by the fondness of the Californians for showy 

 feathers, with which they ornament basket-work. "Wreaths even, 

 were sometimes met with, formed of leaves, which in one instance 

 were yellowish. Their arrows had sometimes wooden barbs, which 

 I have not seen in other American arrows. And again (but not ex- 

 clusively among the tribes of this continent), they cook with hot 

 stones, and occasionally use the javelin. With regard to a Polyne- 

 sian derivation, especially if the different condition of New Zealand 

 be objected, it may be remarked, that the language and customs of 

 colonists would naturally be preserved in a country previously unin- 

 habited ; but this does not necessarily follow, if small numbers are 

 brought in contact with a different people. 



On the whole, however, there is a strong American impress in the 

 Californian manufactures. The bom especially, is scarcely distin- 

 guishable from that used by the northern tribes, and it is in like 

 manner coated externally with sinew ; but a portion of the string is 

 covered with downy fur, for the purpose of deadening the sound. The 

 arrows, too, are similar to those in use throughout the continent ; and 

 are neatly finished, and invariably pointed with flint-stone. Jave- 

 lins are pointed in the same manner, except that the stone is larger, 

 or in some instances bone is substituted : the shaft is small and lis'ht, 

 and not very straight, from the obvious difficulty of procuring better; 

 and sometimes the end is simply sharpened. Wampum occurs among 

 the articles procured at the Bay ; together with a dress of quill-feathers, 

 of frightful appearance, said to be worn on stated occasions. Unex- 

 pected analogy to the ancient Britons is offered, in the use of acorns 

 as a principal article of food, and in the bows being made of yew. 



A native on the Upper Sacramento was observed to be pitted with 

 the small-pox. The tribes having intercourse with the settlements, 

 were suffering much from syphilitic diseases ; which had been de- 

 rived through converted natives, from Europeans. 



The land party from Oregon, after travelling for several days with- 

 out seeing natives, fell in with a body of them when they reached the 

 main Sacramento. Some sensation, as I am informed, was produced 

 by their personal appearance, giving rise to such exclamations as : 

 Kanakas ! how like the South Sea islanders ! The following particu- 

 lars are from the journal of Mr. Brackenridge. " In the evening we 

 were visited by about thirty natives, who sold us bows and arrows, 

 and white-fleshed salmon. They appeared to be a very good-natured, 

 sociable set of beings, and behaved themselves very orderly. They 



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