1 10 
TRAVELS IN 
marking the divisions of time, he will point out the place in 
the heavens about which the sun was then m his course. 
Tiie periods that have past he can express only by saying 
they were before or after some memorable event. The season 
of the year is usually indicated by being so many moons be- 
fore or after uyntjcs ti/d, or the time that the roots of the iris- 
cclidis are in season ; a time particularly noticed by him, as 
these bulbs once constituted a considerable part of his vege- 
table food. I know not how far the numerals in his language 
proceed, but none of those of our party could tell beyond- 
jive, nor could any of them put two numbers together but by 
the assistance of their fingers. Yet they are very far from be- 
ing a stupid people. They learn the Dutch language with 
great facility. They are excellent marksmen with the gun : 
and they are uncommonly clever in finding out a passage over 
a desert uninhabited country. Whatever track they may at 
any period of their life have made, they will tread their former 
footsteps over again. By the quickness of their eye they can 
discover deer and other sorts of game when very far distant ; 
and they are equally expert in w^atching a bee to its nest. 
They no sooner hear the humming of the insect than they 
squat themselves on the ground, and, having caught it with 
the eye, follow it to an incredible distance. The organ of 
sight, no doubt, is strengthened and improved by exercise. 
Seamen on board ships v/ill discover objects at sea the mo- 
ment they appear above the horizon, and long before they 
become visible to a passenger's eye. 
Except in the preparation of poisons, in making bows and 
arrows, musical instruments, coarse earthen ware, and in sew- 
