522 
MOOTSIES. — PLACES OF BURIAL. 
the architectural talents of his wife, than to his own rank or situ- 
ation in society. 
If we consider the habits and customs of this nation, their mode 
of life, and the state of society among them, we must acknowledge 
that such dwellings as have now been described, are exceedingly con- 
venient and perfectly suited to every want and fitted to every cir- 
cumstance ; nor, as long as they and the neighbouring tribes re- 
main stationary at their present degree of civihzation, can any 
improvement be required. But should they ever learn so much of 
the arts of Europe as to acquire a taste for greater refinements and a 
thirst for higher knowledge, they will naturally feel the want of a 
different and better kind of dwelling, and will consequently be ready 
to adopt such innovations as the improved state of their mind and 
of their mode of life, will render necessary. But whether such an 
improved state will be seen by the present generation, or by the 
next, or ever, is an event which may reasonably be considered as 
at present problematical. 
Attached to each division of the town, is generally to be seen 
one or more enclosures called a mootsi (moatsy) *, cattle-pounds, and in 
which the cows and oxen are secured for the night. These have 
been already described ; and the nature of the public enclosures where 
the chiefs and their friends meet for business or for amusement, has 
been sufficiently explained (at page 371). 
It is in these mootsies, or rather in the cattle-pounds, where the 
chiefs and the different chieftains are buried. The inhabitants in 
general bury their dead either in their cattle-pounds, or in any con- 
venient spot without the town ; but I confess that with respect to 
their funerals or the ceremonies, if any, which are observed at them, 
I am unable to give any particular information, as an opportunity of 
witnessing them, never occurred. It is evident that the Bachapins 
* This word is sometimes pronounced mutsi (mootsy) and mutsu (mootsoo). It has 
also the signification of a dwelling in general, and includes the idea of house and cattle- 
potind. The word lihhaai is used for the same purpose, but I believe signifies more cor- 
rectly, a cattle-pou7id. 
