pit, and make a fire in it: then some young persons approach the body, cut out the flesh, in parts previously marked out, and throw them into the fire, together with the bowels. During this horrid operation, the female relatives walk round those who are engaged in it, exhorting them to complete what they have undertaken.The interment is followed by presents to the afflicted family, and the ceremony is terminated, as among the ancient Pagans, by songs and shouts of victory. It must be observed, however, that the relations of the deceased bear no part in these rejoicings, but observe, even after the obsequies, a very strict mourning.

There are three nations of Indians in California who speak three distinct languages, but they are all nearly similar in appearance, being well formed, robust, vigorous, and of a healthy countenance. The males, whether children or adults, go almost entirely naked in all parts of the peninsula; but there is some diversity in the ornaments used by each nation. In the southern parts, they decorate their heads with strings of pearl, braided with their hair and interwoven with smail feathers, the whole forming a very curious ornament. The nation of Loretto generally wear a becoming girdle round their waists, and a curious fillet of net-work on their foreheads; to which some add a sort of neck-cloth, ornamented with tolerable imitations of small round fruits, which bear some resemblance to a rosary, The Cochines of the north usually wear their hair short, and have a kind of diadem formed of several bands of nacar; to compose which they first detach the mother of pearl from the shell, give it a fine polish on both sides, and divide it

into small pieces, which are afterwards perforated for the conveniency of stringing.

The garments of the women consist of three pieces, two of which form a petticoat, reaching from the girdle to the feet, and the third a shortcloak, which covers the body from the shoulders. These pieces, which are made from palm threads, are not woven, but fastened at the top as in fringes, and hang down in thick skains and tufts. The Indian women of Cape San Lucas wear their hair long, loose, and spread on their shoulders; but their head-dress, like that of all the other women of California, consists of a piece of network, made with great ingenuity.-The women of the northern parts wear meaner garments, being covered only from the waist to the knees and their petticoat, which is made of thin pieces of sedge, cut off at the knots, and fastened together with threads, merely serves to hide their nakedness, without defending them from the inclemencies of the weather.

The houses of the Californians make no better appearance than their habits. Those of every ranchiera or village, are merely wretched huts, situated near some water, and when there is a necessity of removing to other places in quest of subsistence, the inhabitants easily shift their station. Wherever they stop, they shelter themselves under the trees, from the scorching heat of the sun by day, and the coldness of the air at night. In severe winters they live in caverns, which they either dig themselves, or find in the sides of the mountains; and it is a remarkable fact, that they obstinately refuse to reside in more comfortable dwellings, which have been erected: for them by the missionaries.

The Californians admit of a plurality of wives, who provide for the family, and procure a sufficient quantity of fruits from the woods to keep their husbands in good humour; for if once they are discarded no other man will take them.Adultery is accounted a capital crime, except at the festivals and wrestling matches among the ranchieras, when it is the privilege of the victors. Among the Cochines of the north, however, scarcely any such excesses are known, and a missionary, speaking of his district, says, that amidst all the freedoms of these Indians, debauchery and illegal amours are very rarely

seen.

The manner of negociating marriages in the nation of Loretto, which inhabits the middle part of California, is to present the bride with a batea or jug, her acceptance of it denotes her consent; and on her presenting the man with a net for his head, the marriage is confirmed. In the other nations the agreement is concluded at an entertainment to which the lover invites the whole ranchiera; but after all this solemnity of contract, the slightest motive sometimes annuls it.

The time of gathering the pitahayas is the vintage of the Californians, and they celebrate it with particular mirth and rejoicings.

"The

three pitahaya months," says Salva Tierra, "resemble the carnival in some parts of Europe, when the men are, in a great measure, stupefied or mad. At this time the whole nation give themselves up to feastings, dancings, and buffooneries; in which whole nights are frequently spent. The actors are chosen for their talents of imitation, and, for the most part, acquit them. selves tolerably well.