410 A V O Y A G E T O Book IX, 



their animalcdse, it is very feldom that any of therrj 

 mifcarry ; for they depofit them in the land ; and 

 thus by a natural inftin6l they are laid on thefe 

 banks, to which they adhere ; without being ever 

 removed by any agitation of the waters, till impreg- 

 nated with life. I1ie cod alio delights to continue 

 at the bottom ; at leaft is never feen on the furfacc 

 of the water. But though their number is ft ill im- 

 menfe, they are evidently dimiriifhed, a proof of this 

 is, that much fev/er are now caught in the fame fpace 

 of time, than there were twenty-five or thirty years 



i H E coafl of the continent oppofite to New- 

 foundland is inhabited by Indian favages ; and though 

 the crown of France keeps poffeflion of it for the 

 conveniency of the fifhery it has no proper fettler 

 meat : and was reprefented only by a perfon who 

 follicited and obtained, without much difficulty, the 

 title of governor of thefe countries. He kept up a 

 good correfpondence with the Indians, and lived 

 among them. The winters he fpent foiitarily with 

 his wife and family ; in fummer time he enjoyed the 

 company of the m afters of the fifliing vefiel$. Thus 

 he fpent many years, and as 1 have been informed, 

 it was not till this prefent year 1745, Qr a little be- 

 fore, that he retired to Canada ; and rather out of 

 indulgence to nis wife's fears of fome misfortune in 

 the preient war, than from his own inclination. 

 Thefe Indians live very eafily with the French, come 

 to their huts, and bring them game in exchange 

 for brandy, wine and toys ; but are much addi6lcd 

 to theft, as many fhips have experienced by the lofs of 

 their fails and other parts of their furnitrte when 

 ailiore fo that it has been found necefiary to keep 

 a conftant guard and for greater fecurity, the tents 

 and huts are fo difpofed, as entirely to environ pa 

 the land-fide as in a fort the whole fpot of ground 

 >vhere their other neceiTaries are kept. Thele pre« 

 ' ,' - ' ' ■ ; caution| 



