324 ZOOLOGY. 



"It is this salmon which forms the main subsistence of the numerous hordes of Indians who live 

 upon the banks of the Columbia, and it is known by the name of quinnat for one hundred and 

 fifty miles from the mouth of the river. It attains a large size, weighing often from thirty to 

 forty pounds." 



Lewis and Clark seem to have confounded the present species and the S. Oairdneri. They say : 

 "The common salmon are usually the largest, and weigh from five to fifteen pounds. They 

 extend themselves into all the rivers and little creeks of this side of the continent, and to them 

 the natives are much indebted for subsistence. They begin to run early in May. They are 

 never caught with the hook, and we do not know on what they feed." ***** "The 

 flesh of this fish, when in good order, is of a deep flesh colored red, and every shade from that 

 to orange yellow ; when very meagre it is almost white. The roes are in high estimation among 

 the natives, who dry them in the sun, and preserve them for a great length of time; they are of 

 the size of a small jiea, nearly transparent, and of a reddish yellow cast. They resemble very 

 much, at a little distance, our common garden currants, but are more yellow," 



The same travellers give an interesting account, in detail, of the manner in which the Indians, 

 at that time, preserved the salmon for subsequent use, by drying it as in the manner already 

 prescribed, and then, pounding it fine and packing in baskets, it is covered and "stacked" for 

 use.* 



A fish called by the Nisquallies the "satsttp," corresponding in many particulars to the S. 

 qvumat, ascends the tributary streams of Puget Sound at the same time that the quinnat does 

 the Columbia. I have obtained no specimens of this. It is said to be a fine red-fleshed fish, of 

 good flavor, and handsome general appearance. 



Another salmon described by the Indians, as different only in size, ascends a few particular 

 streams, and is very large. One of the localities where this fish is taken abundantly is at the 

 fishery on Black river, a branch of the Dwamish. Tbe species is called by the Nisquallies To- 

 o-odlt, or To-walt, (Gibbs,) when fresh, and Yo-Tce^ or Yo-ek, when exhausted. The fresh run 

 have a similar name applied to them by the Skadgetts, but are called Skok-hum when worn out 

 and emaciated. 



If identical with the spring salmon of the Columbia, I am inclined to think that the kind first 

 mentioned as running up the afiluents of Puget Sound will be found to be the S. Gairdneri, 

 and that the large " towaW ' will prove to be the 8. quinnat. (Regarding the totvalt, see other 

 remarks under the head of S. confiuentus.) 



Two imperfectly preserved skins of the S, quinnat are now contained in the Smithsonian 

 collection. They were obtained from Mr. James Wayne, of Astoria, Oregon, and were, when 

 fresh, without doubt, good specimens of the present species. For interesting notes on the 

 species, see beyond, under the head of General Bemarks, the information communicated by 

 Augus McDonald, esq.t 



* An extract from Lewis and Clark's Journal, describing this, is contained in Rich. F. B. A. Fishes, p. 218. 



t Skins stuffed in as nearly natural shape as possible, and then varnished, w ould be highly desirable in our national collection- 

 Labels giving the date of capture, Indian names, and sex, would add greatly to their value. Mr. Wayne's specimens, rough- 

 dried as they were, have been, nevertheless, of the greatest advantage in studying the collection, as they have enabled us to 

 decide with accuracy their identity with Richardson's species, and have formed a stand-point for studying the other kinds. 



