106 



paid no attention to the raising of vines, which, as 

 has been proved by experiment, produce very well 

 in all their provinces. 



The master of the house eats at the same table 

 w ith the rest of his family. The plates are earthen, 

 and the spoons and cups are made of horn or wood. 

 The Ulmenes have in general wrought plate for the 

 service of tlieir tables, but they only make use of it 

 when they entertain some stranger of rank ; upoa 

 such occasions they ostentatiously display it, being 

 naturally fond of show, and of being considered rich. 

 Their seasonings are made of Guinea pepper, of 

 madi, and salt. In summer they are fond of dining 

 in the shade of trees, which for this purpose are al- 

 ways planted around their houses. They do not use 

 the flint for the purpose of obtaining fire, but em- 

 ploy, like the Kamtschatdales, two pieces of dry 

 wood, one of which they place upon another, and 

 turn it in their hands until it takes fire, which is very 

 soon. Besides dinner, supper and breakfast, they 

 have every day without fail their luncheon, which 

 consists of a little flour of parched corn, steeped in 

 hot w^ater in the morning, and in cold in the even- 

 ing. . 



But they often deviate from this simple mode of 

 living at the public entertainments, which they give, 

 each other on occasion of funerals, marriages, or any 

 other important event. At such times no expense 

 is spared, and they are profuse of every thing that 

 can promote festivity. In one of these banquets, at 

 which it is common for three hundred persons to 

 be present, more meat, grain and liquor is con- 



