provement, and put them in a proper train for the culture of grain, &e." We fear that the writer's notions were somewhat too sanguine on this subject; though we do not mean to deny, that the bringing of lands into some kind of culture, with a view to further operations, may be so conducted as to prove eventually highly beneficial. This gentleman thinks, in opposition to a prevailing opinion, that "the whitest, most durable, and easiest bleached flax, may be produced from crops where the seed has been completely ripened." It is so, he says, in Holland; and if the adoption of any process used in Holland, would enable us to establish this fact, and to act upon it, the advantage to the nation would be immense; as we are, more or less, at all times at the mercy of our enemy, for a supply of the seed necessary to furnish the material for one of our most considerable manufactures. We believe, that at this time, our sentiments are in unison with those of a great portion of the population of Ireland. There are many good ideas in this paper; but not much novelty. The comparative trials and experiments recommended by Mr. S. to be made, may afford useful hints. " and We cannot do justice to Dr. Richardson's Essay on the Irish Fiorin grass; if it possesses all the good qualities the Dr. attributes to it, we wish to enjoy a more familiar acquaintance with it in Britain. It would greatly improve many wastes and plashes now worthless. It is capable, says Dr.R., of clothing the driest soils. It adorns the cliffs of the Giant's Causeway, forces its roots into the crevices of the rocks, and even into the diminutive intervals between the Causeway pillars." A plate of this grass, accompanies the essay. Mr. Madock's embankments and other improvements in Caernarvonshire, have already found their place in the PANORAMA. Compare Vol. IV. p. 385. Mr. Fulton, whose paper on small canals is inserted in this volume, we presume to be the same writer who favoured the public with a Treatise on that subject. He is by birth an American; and we believe is now in France: (his paper is dated 1795). Recent experiments on this subject might be interesting. Variations are not always improvements; Mr. Gisborne recommends, in strong terms, a species of oak, which he calls iron oak; but our valuable correspondent, Professor Martyn, is of opinion that Bri tish oak is superior. As his letter tends to correct an error in nomenclature, we shall insert it. On the Sorts of Oak. SIR; I have read Mr. Gi-borne's letter recommending inquiries to be made respecting the growth and "properties of the iron oak, as it is called. I am not much acquainted with it; but if the Lucombe oak be a variety of this, it is of a different species from our British oaks; it is called by Linnaeus quercks cerris, and the timber is much inferior in value. It is improper to call them evergreen oaks, because they do not retain their leaves more than eight or nine months, and it tends to confound them with the ilex, or genuine evergreen oak, which is a tree of a natuge totally different. it 1 From the single acorn sent with the cup. appears that the iron oak is the quercas cerris, or a variety of it; and it is, without doubt, totally different from quercus egilops, the cup of whose acorn, as Mr. Gisborne well observes, is so extremely unlike the other. All my experience on the subject of maks goes to recommend our common British oak; in preference to all foreign ones. Gentlemen who plant for the timber, particularly for naval purposes, should be attentive to have acorns gathered under their own direction. from trees which have their foliage with wide bold openings, or situations terminating bluntly, and placed close to the branch, without the intervention of any foot-stalk ́; and the acorns themselves growing singly, or at most two together, on long fruit-stalks. There is an oak not uncommon in England, which has the leaves on foot-stalks, and the acorns in clusters, sitting close to the branch; which being a more handsome and free growing tree, may be apt to seduce unwary planters, but the timber is greatly inferior, and for naval purposes wholly unfit. It is known among the woodmen in some counties by the name of durmast, and in others by the name of fit, or fir-pine oak.-I am, Sir, &c. &c. THOMAS MARTYN. ↑ Frith Street, Soho, Feb. 27, 1796. Mr. Robertson wishes for registers and observations on the weather, in reference to the lunar cycle of nineteen years. 'It may seem somewhat strange that we should wish for the same from India, för a like period: but we apprehend that the effects of the lunar influence, are much more decided in that country, than in otir own; and that there, if any where, the true basis of a just theory of those influences may be laid: the miner effects of which may afterwards be traced and detected in our northern clime, al-A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of though checked and varied by many incidental oppositions from other principles. A curious fact, in elucidation of what may be done by management, is mentioned by the hon. baron Hepburn, on the subject of the potatoe. It is creditable to the industry and intelligence of our neighbours the Dutch; we suppose the British were too much occupied to inquire into it. The Dutch first introduced potatoes in Bengal nearly forty years ago; they sold them in Calcutta at more than five shillings a pound, and long kept the monopoly of the potatoe market there, by concealing the proper mode of culture. Although the British planted the seed, apparently in the same manner as the Dutch, they never could reap one potatoe; for the haulm or stem grew, and continued growing with such rapid and luxuriant vegetation, it never formed a fruit; but the Dutch had discovered, that the haulm should a Corps of Discovery, under the Command of Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke, of the Army of the United States; from the Mouth of the River Missouri, through the interior Parts of North America, to the Pacific Ocean; during the Years 1804, 1805, and 1806. By Patrick Gass, one of the Persons employed in the Expedition. 8vo. pp. 381. Price 95. Pittsburgh: Printed for David M'Keehan. London: Re-printed for J. Budd, 1808. THE expedition of which this volume contains an account, is truly interesting to America. The United States could not but desire to discover the extent of that Continent on which they are placed, and to ascertain the nature, population and productions of those immense regions that lie to the west of their dominions. be cut over several times in the early part of The sea-coast of western America had the season; and by thus exhausting the luxa-been visited by Europeans for the purpose riant and superabundant vegetation, the plant of discovery; a small part of it by the ultimately produced its fruit under ground. Russians from Asia; but a much larger But I have been assured by sundry gentlemen, portion of it by the immortal Cooke, and who tnore recently have returned from India, afterwards by Vancouver, as well as not only that the potatoe is universally culti- La Peyrouse, and others. Traffic also had vated there, and from its cheapness and abun-induced navigators to visit this coast, and dance is in daily consumption by the lower the trade in sea-otter skins, which it proclasses of the natives, but that the plant has become naturalized to the climate, and pro-and stimulating. The jealous policy of duced, for an instant, proved lucrative, duces apples, with less luxuriance of stem. 1 beg leave with deference to suggest the propriety of importing potatoes from various soils and climates, some better and some inferior to our own, and distributing these importations, in small quantities, to growers of accurate and attentive observations. From our extracts it appears, that not merely agriculturists by profession, but naturalists and philosophers, may increase their knowledge by the facts stated in these papers. But their chief value is, their practical utility, especially to those who have favourable opportunities of determining by the test of well-conducted experiment the merit of the suggestions they record. We honour the attempt to continue and increase the agricultural improvement of our country, and we trust, that whatever attention it may be the duty of the statesman, or the interest of the merchant, to pay to" ships, colonies, and commerce," yet, the nation will never remit its attention to the welfare and prosperity of its agriculture. the Chinese government did not suffer that trade to continue, and now, we presume, that the natives may follow their occupations without interruption. But, though there has long been an absolute certainty, that North America is one vast Continent, yet its geography remained unknown; for those who in pursuit of skins (the chief if not the only inducement to enterprize) penetrated up the rivers and other waters to the westward, added little to the science, nor could the distance to which they roved, be considered as great, in proportion to those parts that still remained undiscovered. The Hudson's Bay Company, which was most likely to derive advantage from researches into the interior of America, engaged Mr. Hearne in an expedition, that lasted from Dec. 7th 1770, to June 30th 1772. This travelier explored the country lying pretty far north, as well as west, to the latitude of 72. He saw the sea; but he did not see the western coast. 4 We cannot accompany the corps in their journey; and therefore shall content ourselves with extracting a few passages, by way of specimen. These we shall arrange under the divisions of-geographical information :-information relating to the character and deportment of our fellow men; and, lastly,-what concerns the animal creation. Mr. Mc. Kenzie (now Sir Alexander) | tains: sometimes wild desarts, af others, took a less northerly course, in 1793, and scarcely penetrable woods. proceeding as nearly as possible due west, he arrived at the Ocean, unjustly named Pacific, about latitude 52, being the first European who had effected this hazardous transit. This fortunate expedition roused the emulation of America, and the United States fitted out a company, with more adequate means than individuals could obtain, for the purpose of exploring other parts of this immense Continent. We have in Panorama, Vol. II. p. 373, given an abstract of this journey in a letter from Capt. Clark to his brother Gen. Clark. Monday, 27th May.-We have now got into a country which presents little to our view, but scenes of barrenness and desola tion; and see no encouraging prospects that it will terminate. Having proceeded (by the course of this river the Missouri) about two thousand three hundred miles, it may there. fore not be improper to make two or thres general observations respecting the country we have passed. The volume before us is a transcript of a journal kept by one of the party, who was, it should appear, in a subordinate station, and who has done nothing more than preserve memorandums of daily occurrences. We have no doubt on the From the mouth of the Missouri to that of authenticity of the journal: nor on the the river Platte, a distance of more than six general truth of the facts it contains. hundred miles, the land is generally of a As a work it is of some importance in good quality, with a sufficient quantity of America; but English readers will com-timber; in many places very rich, and the plain of it, as dry and little amusing in country pleasant and beautiful. style, and management. A dextrous From the confluence of the river Platte book wright among us, would have made with the Missouri to the sterile desert we of these materials, a pleasing perform-lately entered, a distance of upwards of £f teen hundred miles, the soil is less rich, and, ance, without perverting any of the incidents, or detracting from the truth of the except in the bottoms, the land of an inferior and those who think slightingly second-rate land. The country is rather billy quality, but may narrative; in general be called grod ́ of the skill necessary to prepare a work than level, though not mountainous, rocky. for the public eye, may be referred for a or stony. The hills in their unsheltered state proof of its reality and necessity to the are much exposed to be washed by heavy journal before us. raius. This kind of country and soil which has fallen under our observation in our pro gress up the Missouri, extends, it is understood, to a great distance on both sides of the river. Along the Missouri and the waters which flow into it, cotton wood and willows are frequent in the bottoms and islands; but the upland is almost entirely without timber, and consists of large prairies or plains, the The grass is generally short on these immense boundaries of which the eye cannot reach. natural pastures, which in the proper seasons are decorated with blossoms and flowers of various colours. The views from the hills are interesting and grand. Wide extended plains with their hills and vales, stretching away in lessening wavy ridges, until by their distance they fade from the sight; large rivers and streams in their rapid course, winding in various meanders; groves of cotton-wood and willow along the waters intersecting the landscapes in different directions, dividing them into various forms at length appearing like dark clouds and sinking in the horizon; these enlivened with the buffaloe, elk, deer, The party consisting of forty-three men, including captains Lewis and Clarke, who commanded the expedition, crossed the Mississippi' to the west, May 14th 1804, and proceeded up the Missouri, so far as it is navigable: quitting this river, they marched westward, till they came to a stream that led them to the western ocean; the first sight of which they obtained on Friday, Nov. 15th, 1805. They returned to St. Louis, on Friday, Sept. 19th, 1806, after an absence of two years, four months, and ten days. The distance travelled, was by estimation, above 1000 miles from the head of the Missouri, and from the mouth of that tiver about 4133 miles. In so great a distance, it may easily be supposed, that every description of land, and prospect, must be met with. Here extensive plains, there immense moun Thus while some savage nations compress the head on the sides, others we and other animals which in vast numbers feed upon the plains or pursue their prey, are the prominent objects, which compose the ex-find compress it on the back and front: tensive prospects presented to the view, and surely, these people deserve the headache! We cannot but think these flat strike the attention of the beholder. The islands in the Missouri are of various sizes; in general not large, and during high water, nosily overflowed.. There are Indian paths along the Missouri, and some in other parts of the country. Those along that river do not generally follow its windings, but cut off points of land and pursue a direct course. There are also roads and paths made by the buffaloe and other animals; some of the buffaloe roads are at least ten feet wide. Captain Clarke measured the height of the falls, and found them in a distance of 17 miles to be 362 feet 9 inches. The first great pitch 98 feet, the second 19 fect, the third 47 feet 8 inches, the fourth 26 feet; and a number of small pitches, amounting altogether to 362 feet 9 inches. The party discovered the ocean by descending the Columbia river, which is described as 66 very beautiful," but abounding in falls and rapids. It may be said to swarm with salmon, and other fish but salmon, especially, which appears to be the chief food of the natives who reside in the neighbourhood of this stream. They preserve it by pounding and drying. The manners of the inhabitants of this vast tract differ no doubt, even more than could be observed by that cursory view of them, which could be taken by these passengers. It should appear, however, that among these simple sons of nature, the same disposition prevails which some have charged as criminal on more polished society, that of endeavouring to improve the works of Omniscience by the caprices of fashion. Speaking of a number of Indians that visited them, Mr. Gass observes, We suppose them to be a band of the Flat-head nation, as all their heads are compressed into the same form; though they do not speak exactly the same language, but there is no great difference, and this may be a dialect of the same. This singular and deforming operation is performed in infancy in the following manner. A piece of board is placed against the back of the head, extending from the shoulders soine distance above it; another shorter piece extends from the eye-brows to the top of the first, and they are then bound together with thongs or cords made of skins, so as to press back the forehead, make the head rise at the top, and force it out above the cars. heads deficient in brains. Capt. Lewis, myself, and some of the men, says Mr. G. went over to the Teeton Indian camp. Their lodges are about eighty in number, and contain about ten persons cach; the greater part women and children. The women were employed in dressing buffaloe skins, for clothing for themselves, and for covering their lodges. They are the most friendly people I ever saw; but will piller, if they have an opportunity. They are also very dirty: the water they make use of, is carried in the paunches of the animals they kill, just as they are emptied, without being cleaned. They gave us dishes of victuals of various kinds; I had never seen any, thing like some of these dishes, nor could I tell of what ingredients, or how they were made. About 15 days ago, they had a battle with the Mahas, of whom they killed 75 men, and took 25 women prisoners, whom they have now with them." They promised to Capt. Lewis, that they would send the pri soners back, and make peace. About 3 o'clock, we went aboard the boat, accompanied with the old chief and his liule son. In the evening, Capt. Clarke and some of the men went over, and the Indians made, preparations for a dance. At dark it commenced. Capt. Lewis, myself, and some of our party went up to see them perform. Their band of music, or orchestra, was com posed of about 12 persons beating on a buffaloe hide, and shaking small bags that made a rattling noise. They had a large fire in the centre of their camp; on one side the women, about 80 in number, formed in a solid column round the fire, with sticks in their hands, and the scalps of the Mahas they had killed tied on them. They kept moving, of jumping round the fire, rising and falling on both feet at once; keeping a continual noise, singing and yelling. In this manner they continued till 1 o'clock at night, when we returned to the boat with two of the chiefs. The lodges of the Rickarees, or Arica ris, are thus described: In a circle of a size suited to the dimensions of the intended lodge, they set up 16 forked posts five or six feet high, and lay poles from one fork to another. Against these poles they lean other poles, slanting from the ground, and extending about four inches above the cross poles: these are to receive the ends of the upper poles, that support the roof. They next set up four large forks, fifteen feet high, and about ten feet apart, in the middle of the area; and poles or beams between these. The roof poles are then laid on, extending from the lower poles across the beams, which rest on the middle forks, of such a length as to leave a hole at the top for a chimney. The whole is then covered with willow branches, except the chimney, and a hole below to pass through. On the willow branches they lay grass and lastly clay. At the hole below they build a pen about four feet wide and projecting ten feet from the hut; and hang a buffaloe skin, at the entrance of the hut for a door. This labour, like every other kind, is chiefly formed by the squaws [women]. They raise corn, beans, and tobacco. Their tobacco is different from any I had before seen; it answers for smoking, but not for chewing. On our return, I crossed from the island to the boat, with two squaws in a buffaloe skin stretched on a frame made of boughs, wove together like a crate or basket for that purpose. per The condition of the females, doomed to labour, among these people, is, alone, sufficient to mark this tribe as savage: but the trade in their favours (which is a public profession) is infinitely more disgraceful and disgusting, whether in what affects to be called civilized life, or among the wild roamers on the banks of the Missouri. The kind of boat described in this extract reminds us of the coracles of the antient Britons. In another place our author observes: "The natives of this country ought to have the credit of making the finest cances, perhaps in the world, both as to service and beauty; and are no less expert in working them when made," which agrees with the remarks of Sir Alexander M'Kenzie, who says, "I had imagined that the Canadians who accompanied me, were the most expert canoe-men in the world, but they are very inferior to these people (the natives near the coast), as they themselves acknowledged, in conducting those vessels." Among the snake Indians, says Mr. Gass, While I lay here to-day, one of the natives shewed me their method of producing fire, which is somewhat curious. They have two sticks ready for the operation, the one about 9, and the other 18 inches long: the short stick they lay down flat, and rub the end of the other upon it in a perpendicular direction, for a few minutes; and the friction raises a kind of dust, which in a short time takes VoL. V. [Lit. Pan. Jan. 1909.] fire. These people make willow baskets so close, and to such perfection, as to hold water, for which purpose they make use of them. They make much use of the sun◄ flower and lambs-quarter seed, which, with berries and wild-cherries pounded together, compose the only bread they have any knowledge of, or in use. The fish they take in this river are of excellent kinds, especially the salmon, the roes of which, when dried. and pounded, make the best of soup. of several nations were met with, there beOn the banks of the Columbia, natives ing three, or part of three, different tribes settled together: their names unknown. They are almost without clothing, having no covering of any account, except some deer-skin robes and a few leggins of the same materials. The women have scarce sufficient to cover their nakedness. The custom prevails among these Indians of burying all the property of the deceased, with the body. Amongst these savages, when any of them die, his baskets, bags, clothing, horses and other property, are all interred: even his canoe is split into pieces and set up round his grave. The paucity of dress of the women, extends to other tribes: The dress of the squaws here is different. from that of those up the river; it consists of a long fringe made of soft bark, which. they tie round the waist, and which comes down almost to their knees; and of a small robe, made out of small skins cut into thongs, and wove somewhat like carpeting. The Clatsop Indians, the Chin-ook, Cath la-mas, Cal-a-mex, and Chiltz nations, who inhabit the sea coast, all dress in the same manner. The men are wholly naked, except a small robe; the women have only the addition of the short petticoat. Their lan-. guage also is nearly the same; and they all observe the same ceremony of depositing with the remains of the dead, all their property, or placing it at their graves. I believe I saw as many as an hundred canoes at one buryingplace of the Chin-ooks, on the north side of the Columbia, at its entrance into Halley's Bay; and there are a great many at the burying-place of every village. All the Indians from the rocky mountains to the falls of Columbia, are an honest, ingenuous, and well disposed people; but. from the falls to the sea-coast, and along it, they are a rascally, thieving set... .. In the evening the men came in with the meat of the two bears; and also our other. hunters who had killed three more, all of the grizly kind. We gave some of the meat to the natives at our camp, who cooked it in their own way, which was done in the 2 B |