C 379 ] 
farther to the north, they went affiore upon illands, 
which was thought a very extraordinary thing. 
If the fituation of thefe iflands was known, it is 
very probable, an extremely valuable fea-cow fifhery 
might be carried on there. 
Of the INHABITANTS. 
It is not furprizing, thatfuch a country as has been 
defcribed fhould be thinly inhabited. The human 
fpecies upon this extenfive territory are but few ; and 
fuch as we know of are extremely favage. The 
populoufnefs of mankind generally bears an affinity 
to the foil they live on. Upon barren rocks, covered 
with fnow for more than half the year, and where 
the winters are fo rigorous, and of fuch long con- 
tinuance, we cannot expedt to find the inhabitants 
fo very numerous. 
The people of this country form various nations 
or tribes ; and are at perpetual war with each other. 
Formerly the Esquimaux, who may be called a 
maritime nation, were fettled at different places upon 
the fea coaft quite down to the river st. John’s ; 
but, for many years paft, whether it has been owing 
to their quarrels with the Mountaineers, or the in- 
croachments of the Europeans, they have taken up 
their refidence far to the north. 
A good way up the country live a people diftin- 
guifhed by the appellation of mountaineers, be- 
tween whom and the Esquimaux there fubfifts an 
unconquerable averfion. Next to the Mountaineers, 
and ftill farther weftward, you come to a nation 
C c c 2 called 
