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Boxes. "They are often painted black, studded with the teeth of different animals 
or carved with a kind of freeze work, and figures of birds or animals, as decorations.” (Vol. 
II, p. 316.) 
"Amidst all the filth and confusion that are foxmd in the houses, many of them are 
decorated with images. These are nothing more than the trunks of very large trees, 
four or five feet high, set up singly, or by pairs, at the upper end of the apartment, with 
the front carved into a human face; the arms and hands cut out upon the sides, and variously 
painted; so that the whole is a truly monstrous figure. The general name of these images 
is Klumma; and the names of two particular ones, which stood abreast of each other, 
three or four feet asunder, in one of the houses, were Natchkoa and Matfeeta. Mr. Web- 
ber’s view of the inside of a Nootka house, in which these images are represented, will 
convey a more perfect idea of them than any description. A mat, by way of curtain, for 
the most part, hung before them, which the natives were not willing at all times to remove; 
and when they did unveil them, they seemed to speak of them in a very mysterious manner. 
It should ^m that they are, at times, accustomed to make offerings to them; if we can 
draw this inference from their desiring us, as we interpreted their signs, to give something 
to these images, when they drew aside the mats that covered them.‘ It was natural, 
from these circumstances, for us to think that they were representatives of their gods, 
or symbols of some religious or superstitious object; and yet we had proofs of the little real 
estimation they were in; for with a small quantity of iron or brass, 1 could have purchased 
all the gods (if their images were such) in the place. I did not see one that was not offered 
to me; and I actually got two or three of the very smallest sort.” (Vol. II, p. 317). 
“The tomahawk is a stone, six or eight inches long, pointed at one end, and the other 
end fixed into a handle of wood. This handle resembles the head and neck of the human 
figure; and the stone is fixed in the mouth, so as to represent an enormously large tongue. 
To make the resemblance still stronger, human hair is also fixed to it. This weapon 
they call taaweesh, or tsuskeeab. (Vol. II, p. 324.) 
Wool Garments: “The ornamental parts or figures in these garments, which are dis- 
posed with great taste, are commonly of a different colour, being dyed, chiefly, either of 
a deep brown, or of a yellow; the last of which, when it is new, equals the best in our carpets 
as to brightness. 
To their taste or design in working figures upon their garments, corresponds 
their fondness for carving, in everything they make of wood. Nothing is with- 
out a kind of freeze-work, or the figure of some animal upon it; but the most 
general representation is that of the human face, which is often cut out upon 
birds, and the other monstrous figures mentioned before; and even upon their 
stone and their bone weapons. The general design of all these things is perfectly 
sufl&cient to convey a knowledge of the object they are intended to represent; 
but the carving is not executed with the nicety that a dexterous artist would bestow even 
upon an indifferent design. The same, however, cannot be said of many of the human 
masks and heads; where they show themselves to be ingenious sculptors. They not only 
preserve, with great exactness, the general character of their own faces, but finish the more 
minute parts, with a degree of accuracy in proportion, and neatness in execution. The 
strong propensity of this people to works of this sort is remarkable, in a vast variety of 
particulars. Small, whole human figures; representations of birds, fish, and land and sea 
animals; models of their household utensils and of their canoes, were found amongst 
them in great abundance.” (Vol. II, p. 326.) 
Pictorial Arts. “The inoitative arts being nearly allied, no wonder that, to their skill 
in working figures in their garments, and carving them in wood, they should add that 
of drawing them in colours. We have sometimes seen the whole process of their whale- 
fishery painted on the caps they wear. 
They have also other figures painted on some of their things; but it is doubtful if they 
ought to be considered as symbols, that have certain established significations, or only the 
mere creation of fancy and caprice.” (Vol. II, p. 327.) 
qt would seem that Mr. Webber was obliged to repeat his offerings pretty frequently, before he could be per- 
mitted to finish his drawing of these images. The following account is in his own words: “After having made a 
general \new of their habitation.s I fought for an inside, which might furnish me with sufficient matter to convey 
a perfect idea of the mode in which these people live. Such was soon found. While I was employed, a man ap- 
proached me with a large knife in his hand, seemingly displeased, when he observed that my eyes were fixed on 
two representations of human figures, which were placed at one end of the apartment, carved on planks, of a gigantic 
proportion, and painted after their custom.” 
