ATNATANAS, OF ALASKA. 263 



liis iibst'iicc at Tiiiul, beads, caps, and pow<ier lor the Caleliariiies,* who 

 arrive and deposit an equivalent in furs, — a fact tending- to show how 

 definite is the rehition between articles of commodity and prices paid 

 for them, and also the mutual contideuce amongst themselves. 



Their bows and arrows are quite similar to those formerly much used 

 by the Yukon natives, tliongh perhai)s they are a little better hnished. 

 Tiie material for both is birch, which is subjected to a [X'culiar process 

 of seasoning which might be called tem[)ering. A rougli slab about 5 

 feet long is blocked out of green birch with the small ax in possession 

 of nearly all; then the knife is used to bring it down to <limensio!is iu)t 

 exceeding an inch or an inch and one-half in cross section. This rod is 

 alternately put in the tire for a few seconds, and then worked awhile 

 with the knife until it has nearly attained its tinal dimensions, when it 

 is placed where the smoke can envelop it. It may remain at this stage 

 of the process several weeks, being again subjected to the hre and the 

 knife. When finally tempered a bow one inch by one-half inch in cross- 

 section requires a strong arm to string it. I have seen splendid ramrods 

 made of very crooked timber in the same manner. 



l>ows and arrows are yet largely used by them, though they are rapidly 

 superseded by the small-bore double-bairel nuizzle-loading shotguns, 

 of which there are two grades, one very inferior, the other good, with 

 laminated steel barrels. iSTeither of them exceed five or six pounds in 

 weight. They tire out of these guns pebbles and bullets of lead or coj)- 

 per. The copper bullets are claimed by them to be sui)erior to the lead 

 ones for large game, such as moose and bear, for the reason, they say, 

 that the copper ones will always break the bones while the lead ones 

 will not. The copi)er bullets in use on the Chittyna Kiver are formed 

 by hammering. 



Judging from the weapons owned by these natives and from their 

 docile and mirthful characteristics, I should not cojisider them a spe- 

 cially warlike people. t 



In building their houses the only implements used, besides the ax 

 and knife, is an adze, made by securing to an elbowed stick, with raw- 

 hide strings, a Hat piece of iron, tempered by themselves. 



They are by no means of an inventive turn, many of them obtaining 

 their snow-shoes from the Calcharnies; nevertheless they make their 

 toboggans and sleds, which possess the valuable qualities of lightness 

 and durability. 



As before stated, their routes of travel are chietly on or near w^ater- 

 courses. When a long journc}" down the river is contemplated or a trip 

 lo IS'uchek is decided upon, a skin boat is built, but if the distance be 

 short a raft, made of four logs fastened with willow withes, is constructed. 



*Tlie term Calcliarmj, or Ivolshina, is of Russian origin, and is applied by tbe Mid- 

 nooskies to all people not belonging to their tribe. 



t Since writing this the only white man nearer than Kodiak, Mr. Holt, the trader 

 at Nnchek Island, has been murdered by them. 



