The imitative 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.  This, though rudely executed, serves, at least, to shew, that, though there be no appearance of the knowledge of letters amongst them, they have some notion of a method of commemorating and representing actions in a lasting way, independently of what may be recorded in their songs and traditions.  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.

Their canoes are of a simple structure; but, to appearance, well calculated for every useful purpose.  Even the largest, which carry twenty people or more, are formed of one tree.  Many of them are forty feet long, seven broad, and about three deep.  From the middle, toward each end, they become gradually narrower, the after-part, or stern, ending abruptly or perpendicularly, with a small knob on the top; but the fore-part is lengthened out, stretching forward and upward, ending in a notched point or prow, considerably higher than the sides of the canoe, which run nearly in a straight line.  For the most part they are without any ornament; but some have a little carving, and are decorated by setting seals’ teeth on the surface, like studs, as is their practice on their masks and weapons.  A few have, likewise, a kind of additional head or prow, like a large cut-water, which is painted with the figure of some animal.  They have no seats, nor any other supporters, on the inside, than several round sticks, little thicker than a cane, placed across, at mid depth.  They are very light, and their breadth and flatness enable them to swim firmly, without an out-rigger, which none of them have; a remarkable distinction between the navigation of all the American nations and that of the southern parts of the East Indies, and the islands in the Pacific Ocean.  Their paddles are small and light; the shape, in some measure, resembling that of a large leaf, pointed at the bottom, broadest in the middle, and gradually losing itself in the shaft, the whole being about five feet long.  They have acquired great dexterity in managing these paddles, by constant use; for sails are no part of their art of navigation.

Their implements for fishing and hunting, which are both ingeniously contrived, and well made, are nets, hooks and lines, harpoons, gigs, and an instrument like an oar.  This last is about twenty feet long, four or five inches broad, and about half an inch thick.  Each edge, for about two-thirds of its length, (the other third being its handle,) is set with sharp bone-teeth, about two inches long.  Herrings and sardines, and such other small fish as come in shoals, are attacked