NORTH AMERICA. 
507 I 
fomewhat refembling a ladle or little hoop-net, with 
a handle near three feet in length, the hoop and 
handle of wood, and the netting of thongs of raw 
hide, or tendons pf an animal. 
The foot-ball is likewife a favourite, manly di- 
verfion with them. Feading and dancing in the 
fquare at evening, ends all their games. 
They have befides, feafts or fedivals almod for 
every month in the year, which are chiefly dedicated 
to hunting and agriculture. 
The bulk, or feaft of firft fruits, is their princi- 
pal fedival ; this feems to end the lad, and begin 
the new year. 
It commences in Augud, when their new crops 
of corn are arrived to perfect maturity : and every 
town celebrates the bulk feparately, when their 
own harved is ready. 
If they have any religious rite or ceremony, this 
feflival is its mod folemn celebration. 
When a town celebrates the bufk, having pre- 
vioufly provided themfelves with new cl oaths, new 
pots, pans, and other houfhold utenfils and fur- 
niture, they collect all their worn out clothes and 
other defpicable things, fweep and cleanie their 
houfes, fquares, and the whole town, of their 
filth, which- with all the remaining grain and other 
old provifions, they cad together into one com- 
mon heap, and confume it with fire. After having 
taken medicine, and faded for three days, all 
the fire in the town is extinguifhed. During this 
fad they abdain from the gratification of every 
appetite and paffion whatever. A general amnefty 
is proclaimed, all malefactors may return to their 
town, and they are abfolved from their crimes, 
which 
