n the rivers of Britain, and weighs from
ten to twenty pounds; the others do not exceed half that weight.

New Caledonia is inhabited by the Takelly or Carrier nation, and by a
few families of Tsekanies on the north-eastern extremity of the
district. The Takellies are divided into as many tribes as there are
posts--viz. eight, who formerly were as hostile to each other as if
they had been of different nations. The presence of the whites,
however, has had the beneficial effect of checking their cut-throat
propensities, although individual murders still occasionally occur
among them.

Before the introduction of fire-arms, the _honourable_ practice of
duelling prevailed among them, though in a fashion peculiar to
themselves. One arrow only was discharged, by the party demanding
satisfaction, at his opponent, who, by dint of skipping about and
dodging from side to side, generally contrived to escape it; fatal
duels, therefore, seldom if ever occurred; and the parties, having
thus given and received satisfaction, retired from the field
reconciled.[1] They appear more prone to sudden bursts of passion than
most Indians I have seen, and quarrel often and abuse each other in
the most scurrilous terms. With the Sauteux, Crees, and other tribes
on the east side of the mountains, few words are uttered before the
blow, often a fatal one, is given; whereas, with the Takellies, it is
often many words and few blows. In the quarrels which take place among
them, the ladies are generally the _causa belli_--a cause which would
soon lead to the depopulation of the country, were all husbands to
avenge their wrongs by shedding the blood of the guilty.

[1] I would recommend this mode of conducting "affairs of
honour" to _honourable_ gentlemen using the hair-trigger, as
an improvement. Though practised by savages, it must be
allowed to be somewhat less barbarous than ten paces'
distance, and standing still! If the exhibition should appear
somewhat ludicrous, both parties would have the additional
"satisfaction" that their morning _exercise_ had given a
keener zest to their breakfast. It would be a sort of Pyrrhic
dance.

Their chiefs have still considerable authority; but much of the homage
they claimed and received in former times is now transferred to the
white chiefs, or traders, whom they all esteem the greatest men in
the universe. "After the Man of heaven," said old Guaw to Mr. Dease,
"you are n