A VOYAGE TO 
1778. far the fineft fort; and, in its natural hate, differs little from 
Ap " L , the colour of our coarfer wools ; but the hair, with which 
the animal is alfo covered, being intermixed, its appearance, 
when wrought, is fame what different. The ornamental 
parts or figures in thefe garments, which are difpofed with 
great tafte, are commonly of a different colour, being dyed, 
chiefly, either of a deep brown, or of a yellow; the laft of 
which, when it is new, equals the beft in our carpets as to 
brightnefs. 
To their tafte or defign in working figures upon their 
garments, correfponds their fondnefs for carving, in every 
thing they make of wood. Nothing is without a kind of 
freeze-work, or the figure of fome animal upon it; but the 
moft general reprefentation is that of the human face, which 
is often cut out upon birds, and the other monftrous figures 
mentioned before; and even upon their ftone and their 
bone weapons. The general defign of all thefe things is 
perfectly fufticient to convey a knowledge of the object 
they are intended to reprefent; but the carving is not exe¬ 
cuted with the nicety that a dexterous artift would beftow 
even upon an indifferent defign. The fame, however, can¬ 
not be faid of many of the human mafks and heads; 
where they fhew themfelves to be ingenious fculptors. 
They not only preferve, with great exadfnefs, the general 
character of their own faces, but finifh the more minute 
parts, with a degree of accuracy in proportion, and neatnefs 
in execution. The ftrong propenfity of this people to 
works of this fort, is remarkable, in a vaft variety of parti¬ 
culars. Small whole human figures; reprefentations of 
birds, fifh, and land and fea animals ; models of their houfe- 
hold utenfils and of their canoes, were found amongft them 
in great abundance. 
* The 
