Drawings by John Webber of natives of the northwest coast of America, 1778 / by David I. Bushnell, Jr.

  • David I. Bushnell
Date:
1928
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Drawings by John Webber of natives of the northwest coast of America, 1778 / by David I. Bushnell, Jr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    arrows. The quiver, in which are resting several arrows, opened lengthwise, not at one end. This was not described in the narrative and thus tends to prove the value of Webber’s drawings, produced ‘for the express purpose of supplying the unavoidable imperfections of written accounts.” The bands over the ankles conform with Cook's statement that “ about their ankles they also frequently wear many folds of leather thongs, or the sinews of animals twisted to a con- siderable thickness.” The food of the people living on the shores of Nootka Sound con- sisted, as Cook then wrote, “of every thing animal or vegetable that they can procure.” But “‘ their greatest reliance seems to be upon the sea, as affording fish, muscles, and smaller shell-fish, and sea animals.” The smaller fish were not only eaten fresh, when taken from the water, but were also smoked and dried, thus preserved for future use, and “sewed up in mats, so as to form large bales, three or four feet be} square.”’ Broth was made by placing pieces of fresh meat “ in a square wooden vessel or bucket, with water, and then throwing heated stones into it. This operation they repeat till they think the contents are sufficiently stewed or seethed. They put in the fresh, and take out the other stones, with a cleft stick, which serves as tongs ; the vessel being always placed near the fire for that purpose. This operation is repre- sented by Mr. Webber, 1n his drawing of the inside of a Nootka house.” This refers to the group shown surrounding a fire, in plate 3.
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