322 ZOOLOGY. 



(See Brevoort's work above quoted, p. 23.) The S. quinnat, according to Gairdner, has the 

 spots differenthj shaped. In a memorandum furnislied me by George Gibbs, esq., he says that 

 in a visit to Chinook, near the mouth of the Columbia, he saw " the true spring salmon of the 

 Columbia. Speckled on back, fins, and tail, with half-moon spots. Taii in large specimens not 

 always spotted. Tail/oried."* 



The quinnat is designated by Lewis and Clark as the ^^ common salmon^' of the Columbia. 

 It was first scientifically described by Sir John Richardson from specimens and notes obtained 

 from Dr. Gairdner, who was then (about the year 1835) living at the trading post of the Hon. 

 Hudson Bay Company, situated on the right bank of the Columbia, nearly opposite the mouth 

 of the Willamette river, about one hundred miles from the ocean, then and still known as Fort 

 Vancouver. While stationed as surgeon at that important point. Dr. Gairdner, in a most 

 praiseworthy manner, busied himself actively in studying the natural history of the region, 

 and, in connexion with the labors of Tolmie, Townsend, Nuttall, and Douglass, in the Jielcl, and 

 of Richardson, Hooker, Audubon, and Bachman, in the study, presented to the public almost 

 all that was known to naturalists of that remote portion of the world up to the period when the 

 late scientific explorations were undertaken under the auspices of our government. 



This salmon is, perhaps, the finest of all that enter the rivers and inlets of our Pacific 

 possessions. The adults are readily recognized by the settlers from their great size and their 

 large, deeply-forked tails. When fresh from the sea they are in superb condition for the table, 

 equal, in our estimation, to the best English or Scotch salmon. The coor of the flesh is of the 

 richest "salmon red." The general external appearance of the fish presents very bright silvery 

 reflections. They first arrive in the Columbia river during the month of April — the periodical 

 advents usually varying but a few days. Lewis and Clark speak of their first arrival at the 

 Skilloot village, below the site of Fort Vancouver, on the 18th of April, 1800, and at the 

 Dalles, (two hundred miles above the mouth of the Columbia,) in the year 1807, on the 19th 

 of April. Major G. J. Rains, United States army, noticed them at the latter place, in 1854, 

 on the 28th of April, and I myself saw the first of the season in 1855, April 11. George 

 Gibbs, esq., in MSS. notes informs me that in 1853 the same species were "in season" at the 

 mouth of the Columbia on the 20th of April. 



The quinnat, in an economical point of view, is by fat; the most valuable salmon of any 

 species found in Oregon. The extreme richness and delicacy of its flesh cause it to be much 

 preferred for salting; and were it not for the hitherto high prices of labor, barrels and salt, it 

 would have ere this been found a staple article of export from the Columbia. t In numbers, 

 they seem to be inexhaustible, and are readily taken in nets and otherwise. During the ' ' season' ' 

 they are so abundantly taken at the rapids near the Dalles that, notwithstanding the high 

 rates at which most articles of domestic consumption are sold, I have frequently purchased 

 noble specimens of this fish, weighing 20 pounds or more, each, for the small price of a quarter 

 of a dollar ! The Indians on the Columbia take immense numbers, eating what they need while 

 fresh, and drying thousands for winter consumption or for trade. The principal metho'd of 

 capture employed at the Dalles is by "scooping" at random in the rajjid water as it passes a 



* 1 do not consider that the absence of spots on tlie body is of much value as a specific character in all cases. But where they 

 occur I think that their arrangement and shape is of great importance. Tiie unspotted individuals are, perhaps, in some 

 instances, simply the representatives of albinoes in birds and quadrupeds. 



t For further particulars concerning this subject, see " General Remarks." 



