ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLAX. 99 



size of a garden pea. lists an intensely bitter taste which has given rise 

 to the local name •■ quinine cherry." The Indian name is derived from 

 wo-do-ghots', whip, because the slender branches are so often used for 

 whips. The name wit-am'-miim e'-wiim, given me by one Indian, the 

 derivation being wit-am'-miim, bear, and e'-wiiin, berry, was not known 

 to my other informant. 



Prunus subcordata l>entli. 



To-Mo'-lb. — The wild red plum of Oregon, abundant in openings of 

 the yellow-pine forests throughout the reservation, but particularly at 

 Modoc Point. By the aborigines it was eaten either dry or fresh, and 

 among the white ranchers it is a common and favorite fruit for stewing. 

 It resembles in flavor some of the sour cultivated plums, but has an 

 additional slightly bitter taste. 



Rosa fendleri ( repin. 



Cho-it'-i-atn. — The common wild rose of the region. The fruit is 

 occasionally eaten, while the stems are sometimes used for light arrow 

 shafts or for pipestems. 



Rubus leucodermis Dougl. 



Mite' -liL— This was the name given me for a plant said to be a rasp- 

 berry. It was described as growing at Modoc Point, on the eastern 

 shore of Klamath Lake, reaching a height of about a meter (3 or 4 

 feet), and bearing a bluish-black berry. The Indians now eat them 

 fresh, and formerly were in the habit of drying them also. 



Rubus vitifolius Cham. & Sclilecht. 



To-tank'sam. — This is the Indian name given me at different times 

 by different Indians as the proper designation for the blackberry. It 

 is said to be used for food, but I did not learn where it grows. 



LINACEAE 

 • Linum lewisii I'uvsh. 



Kfd'-a-Mms, or kol'-Mms. — The Rocky Mountain flax, a perennial plant 



with slender, little-branched stems about half a meter (U to 2 feet) in 

 height, numerous small narrow leaves, and large blue flowers about 

 l* cm. (nearly an inch) in diameter. The stems produce a remarkably 

 strong fine fiber which is made into strings and cords. These are 

 employed in certain parts of baskets and mats, in the meshes of snow- 

 shoes, and in the weaving of fish nets. (See under tiaiix and Carer.) 



The plant grows in openings of yellow-pine forests and in the upper 

 altitudes of the sage plains, and could doubtless be propagated suc- 

 cessfully in such areas without irrigation. It deserves careful experi- 

 ment as a source of commercial fiber. 



