108 FISHING GROUNDS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



fastened to one sbanli. Occasionally picees of white and bliiisb stones are made tlie basis of 

 supitort for the books, and great taste is sbowu in their arrangement. As an additional lure, we 

 saw what was supposed to be the corneous ajipendage of the angle of the mouth of mormons, 

 which, when dry, resembles in shape and color an imperfect salmon egg. The rod was not over 

 two and one half feet long, and the line of about ten or twelve feet was neatly folded around the 

 ends of the rod, which were crotched to receive it. Over the jig-like hook was pulled a sheath of 

 seal-skin as a protection against accidents. 



From the settlement at Port Clarence we obtained some dressed skins of the red-spotted 

 trout {Salvelimis malma), which are used for making quite ornamental water-proof vests. Rmall 

 seines are used. 



The following are some of the edible fishes of Port Clarence: 



Pleurouectes stellatus. Mallotus villosus. 



u 



glacialis. Hypomesus olidus. 



e> 



Liiiianda aspera. Coregonus Laurettaj. 



Hippoglossus vidgaris. " Merkii. 



Boreogadus saida. Salveliuus malma. ' 



Tilesia gracilis. Oncorhynchus chouicha. 



Cottus polyacanthocephalus. " keta. 



" ta^uiopterus. " nerka. 



•' humilis. '* kisutch. 



Hexagrammus asper. " gorbuscba. 



Ammodytes personatus. Clupea mirabilis. 



Osmerus dentex. 

 2. KoTZEBUE Sound. — In this body of water, especially in Escbscholtz Bay, the beluga or 

 white whale is extensively taken. In the vicinity of Elephant Point we found numerous skulls 

 of this animal lying on the beach, not far from the mouth of Buckland River. 



" There are no natives living on Escbscholtz Bay, but a number are located on the Bucklaud 

 River, and come down to the bay during the summer months to kill white whales [Beluga cafodon), 

 catch salmon, and gather berries, which they 'cache' until the snow comes, when they are taken 

 to the settlement on sledges. Like all Indians, these are very superstitious. While buuting the 

 white whale they are not allowed to choji wood, dig in the earth, sew, tan skins, and many other 

 things, for fear the spirit that controls the movements of the white whales will take oftense and 

 not permit them to return the next season. When the whaling is completed they collect the 

 bones and burn tliein; those who can afford it burn the clothes worn while whaling, the poorer 

 natives paying tribute to the 'god of the white whale,' by cuding oil' and burning a small 

 piece of some garment." 



" The ' kyack' used by the natives on Kotzebue Sound, and, in fact, along the entire coast to 

 Point Barrow, is a nuirvel of speed and beauty. It is very narrow and light, and great skill is 

 required in its management. In these fleet boats the natives easily drive the white whale, a very 

 timid animal, into shallow water; where it is dispatched with strong, flint headed spears.'" 



The spear-i)oint used liere for the cai)ture of beluga is usually made of a brown or black stone 

 which is very hard; this is fastened to a wooden handle, about four feet iu length,' by strips of 

 whalebone. The beluga are Imnlcd iu kyacks ; a dozen or more natives take up a position near 

 the entrance of .some bay, where tliey can see them as they come in with the tide. As soon as 

 they bare passed, the natives paddle out behind them, and, by shouting and beating the water, 



'Hooper, Report of Cruise of Corwiu, 1831, pp. 24-25. 



