352 KEPOKT OF COMMTSSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. 



pieces and the scales carefully removed. The skins are then dried 

 and afterwards worked with a scraper until they become pliable. 

 When finished the membrane resembles kid in appearance and soft- 

 ness, but is almost as tough as parchment. The}- are frequently d3^ed 

 brown, red, yellow, and indigo, and some of the garments are highly 

 ornate. Thej' are sewed together with fine thread, made also of fish 

 skin. The American Museum of Natural History in New York has 

 many of these garments, obtained principally from Eastern Siberia. 



Bags and sacks of various kinds, with capacity varjdng from a pint 

 to a bushel or two, are made from fish skins b}^ some primitive peoples. 

 Nelson describes one made from salmon skin and intended for storing 

 clothing. It is neatly sewed with sinew thread and ornamented with 

 bands of russet-colored fish skins and white parchment-like skin from 

 the throats of seals. The bottom is oval shaped, with the seam inside. 

 The upper border is hemmed, and through a series of rawhide loops, 

 sewed at intervals around the top, passes a cord of the same material 

 for use as a drawstring in closing the bag. These bags are said to be 

 in common use from the Lower Yukon to the Lower Kuskokwim. 



INTERNAL MEMBRANOUS TISSUES. 



In addition to the skins, certain internal membranous tissues of sev- 

 eral aquatic mammals are used for purposes of leather, especially among 

 primitive peoples. Prominent among these are the throat lining, stom- 

 ach, and intestines of seals, fur-seals, sea-lions, and walrus. The throat 

 linings of all these animals may be made into gloves and similar articles. 



The most important use of these membranes is for waterproof over- 

 garments, or kamlaikas, from the intestines of pinnipeds, and especially 

 of the sea-lion. For this purpose the intestines are cKstended with 

 air, dried, and cut longitudinally, forming a long ribbon 3 or -i inches 

 wide. A number of these ribbons are neatly sewed together with a 

 close seam in the pattern of a loose shirt, closed behind and before, 

 provided with long sleeves, a hood fastened to the back of the neck 

 for drawing over the head, and drawstrings around the wrists, neck, 

 and bottom. These garments are very durable and are said to possess 

 greater strength than india-rubber garments, are equally water-repel- 

 lent, and are not affected by grease and oil. 



Walrus intestines were used by the Alaskan Eskimo in making sails 

 for their })idarrahs, or family boats. Although its total weight is onh' 

 about 4 pounds, the sail is remarkably strong and durable. 



