Opulszthl, The sun. Onulszthl, The moon. Kahsheetl, Dead. Teeshcheetl, To throw a stone. Kooomitz, A human scull. Quahmiss, Fish roe.

“They seem to take so great a latitude in their mode of speaking, that I have sometimes observed four or five different terminations of the same word.  This is a circumstance very puzzling at first to a stranger, and marks a great imperfection in their language.

“As to the composition of it, we can say very little; having been scarcely able to distinguish the several parts of speech.  It can only be inferred, from their method of speaking, which is very slow and distinct, that it has few prepositions or conjunctions; and, as far as we could discover, is destitute of even a single interjection, to express admiration or surprise.  From its having few conjunctions, it may be conceived, that these being thought unnecessary, as being understood, each single word with them will also express a great deal, or comprehend several simple ideas; which seems to be the case.  But, for the same reason, the language will be defective in other respects; not having words to distinguish or express differences which really exist, and hence not sufficiently copious.  This was observed to be the case in many instances, particularly with respect to the names of animals.  The relation or affinity it may bear to other languages, either on this or on the Asiatic continent, I have not been able sufficiently to trace for want of proper specimens to compare it with, except those of the Esquimaux and Indians about Hudson’s Bay; to neither of which it bears the least resemblance.  On the other hand, from the few Mexican words I have been able to procure, there is the most obvious agreement, in the very frequent terminations of the words in l, tl, or z, throughout the language."[6]

[Footnote 6:  May we not, in confirmation of Mr Anderson’s remark, observe, that Opulszthl, the Nootka name of the Sun; and Vitziputzli, the name of the Mexican Divinity, have no very distant affinity in sound?—­D.]

The large vocabulary of the Nootka language, collected by Mr Anderson, shall be reserved for another place,[7] as its insertion here would too much interrupt our narration.  At present I only select their numerals, for the satisfaction of such of our readers as love to compare those of different nations in different parts of the world: 

Tsawack, One. Akkla, Two. Katsitsa, Three. Mo, or Moo, Four. Sochah, Five. Nofpo, Six. Atstepoo, Seven. Atlaquolthl, Eight. Tsawaquulthl, Nine. Haeeoo, Ten.

[Footnote 7:  It will be found at the end of the voyage.]