66 



A General History of the Fur Trade* 



men, though by no means inattentive to the decoration of 

 their own persons, appear to have a still greater degree of 

 pride in attending to the appearances of the men, whose 

 faces are painted with more care than those of the women. 



The female dress is formed of the same materials as those 

 of the other sex, but of a different make and arrangement. 

 Their shoes are commonly plain, and their leggins gartered 

 beneath the knee. The coat, or body covering, falls down 

 to the middle of the leg, and is fastened over the shoulders 

 with cords, a flap or cape turning down about eight inches, 

 both before and behind, and agreeably ornamented with 

 quill-work and fringe ; the bottom is also fringed, and fan- 

 cifully painted as high as the knee. As it is very loose, it 

 is inclosed round the waist with a stiff belt, decorated with 

 tassels, and fastened behind. The arms are covered to the 

 wrist, with detached sleeves, which are sewed as far as the 

 bend of the arm ; from thence they are drawn up to the neck, 

 and the corners of them fall down behind as low as the 

 waist. The cap, when they wear one, consists of a certain 

 quantity of leather or cloth, sewed at one end, by which 

 means it is kept on the head, and, hanging down the back, 

 is fastened to the belt, as well as under the chin. The up- 

 per garment is a robe like that worn by the men. Their 

 hair is divided on the crown, and tied behind, or sometimes 

 fastened in large knots over the ears. They are fond of 

 European articles, and prefer them to their own native com- 

 modities. Their ornaments consist, in common with all 

 savages, in bracelets, rings, and similar baubles. Some of 

 the women tatoo three perpendicular lines, which are some- 

 times double : one from the centre of the chin to that of 

 the under lip, and one parallel on either side to the corner 

 pf the mouth. 



Of all the nations which I have seen on this continent, 

 the Knisteneaux women are the most comely. Their figure 

 is generally well proportioned, and the regularity of their 

 features would be acknowledged by the more civilized peo- 

 ple of Europe. Their complection has less of that dark 

 tinge which is common to those savages who have less 

 cleanly habits. 



These people are, in general, subject to few disorders. 

 The lues venerea, however, is a common complaint, but 

 cured by the application of simples, with whose virtues they 

 appear to be well acquainted. They are also subject to 

 fluxes, and pains in the breast, which some have attributed 



