THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 
3*5 
Their manufactures, and mechanic arts, are far more 1778. 
extenfive and ingenious, whether we regard the defign, or Ap ^ ’ 
the execution, than could have been expected from the 
natural difpoiition of the people, and the little progrefs 
that civilization has made amongft them in other refpeCts. 
The flaxen and woollen garments, with which they cover 
themfelves, muft neceffarily engage their firft care; and 
are the moft material of thofe that can be ranked under the 
head of manufactures. The former of thefe are made of 
the bark of a pine-tree, beat into a hempen ftate. It is 
not fpun, but, after being properly prepared, is fpread 
upon a flick, which is fattened acrofs to two others that 
ftand upright. It is difpofed in fuch a manner, that the 
manufacturer, who fits on her hams at this Ample machine, 
knots it acrofs with fmall plaited threads, at the diftance of 
half an inch from each other. Though, by this method, 
it be not fo clofe or firm as cloth that is woven, the bunches 
between the knots make it fufficiently impervious to the 
air, by filling the interfaces; and it has the additional ad¬ 
vantage of being fofter and more pliable. The woollen 
garments, though probably manufactured in the fame 
manner, have the ftrongeft refemblance to woven cloth. 
But the various figures which are very artificially inferted 
in them, deftroy the fuppofition of their being wrought in 
a loom; it being extremely unlikely, that thefe people 
fhould be fo dexterous as to be able to finifh fuch a complex 
work, unlefs immediately by their hands. They are of 
different degrees of finenefs ; fome refembling our coarfeft 
rugs or blankets; and others almoft equal to our fineft 
forts, or even fofter, and certainly warmer. The wool, of 
which they are made, feems to be taken from different 
animals, as the fox and brown lynx ; the laft of which is by 
far 
