Gazette Of The United States

ABORIGINES OF AMERICA.

THE characteristic features of the Indians of America, are, a very small forehead covered with hair from the extremities to the middle of the eyebrows. They have little black eyes, a thin nose, small and bending towards the upper lip. The countenance broad; the features coarse; the ears large and far from the face; their hair very black, lank and coarse. Their limbs small, but well turned; the body tall, straight, of a copper color, and well proportioned; strong and active, but not fitted for much labor. Their faces smooth and free from beard, owing to a custom among them of pulling it out by the roots. Their countenances, at first view, appear mild and innocent, but upon a critical inspection, they discover something wild, distrustful and sullen. They are dextrous with their bows and arrows; fond of adorning themselves with strings of beads and shells about their necks, and plates in their ears and noses. In summer they go almost naked; but in winter they cover themselves with the skins of beasts taken in hunting, which is their principal employment. They many times torture their prisoners in the most shocking and cruel manner; generally scalp them, and sometimes broil and eat them.

Morse's Geography.