1892-93.] NOTES ON THE WESTERN DENES. 1^9- 



berry {Fragarm canadensis), the black currant (Ribes nigrum), which the 

 Carriers call " toad berry," etc. But none of these has the economic 

 importance of those above enumerated. 



Besides these and the bulbous roots -ah, siinti and dsronh which have 

 been mentioned elsewhere, the Western Denes find in their immediate 

 vicinity several indigenous plants to diversify their daily menu of fish or 

 meat. Chief among these may be quoted the red lily {Lilium Cohnn- 

 bianuni), the bulb of which is used as an article of food by most 

 British Columbian and other American, or even Asiatic tribes. It is 

 cooked by boiling pretty much as is done with potatoes. The natives 

 harvest it almost as soon as it has sprouted out, a short time after the 

 entire disappearance of snow. The Carrier and TsijKoh'tin name is 

 tsa-tcdn or '"beaver-stick." 



Another plant of a different botanical family whose root is likewise 

 much appreciated as an article of food is the sds or sweet flag {Acorus 

 Calamus). This root is eaten without any other preparation than 

 cleaning and washing in cold water. 



The wild onion (Allicum cernuum) is also eaten, root and leaves,, 

 either rav/ or slightly roasted in the ashes. The Carriers call it fjo-tsd'n, 

 " stinking grass." So is the root of the dog-tooth violet {Erythroniiim 

 giganteum), which is reputed excellent by the natives. Its Carrier 

 name is tcilkhe-rez, a compound word which is unfit for translation. 



In the cow-parsnip c Heracletim lanatum), and a variety of the same 

 {kras, in Carrier) it is the inner part of the growing stalks which is 

 preferred. It is often used while fresh and unprepared save by the 

 stripping of its fibrous envelope. But if fire is at hand, a Carrier will 

 generally treat it to a slight roasting through the flames previously to 

 peeling off the stalk. The H. lanatum is the kus of the Western 

 D^n^s, a primary root, indicative of its importance in the estimation of 

 the natives. 



The marrow of the willow herb {Epilobium angustifolium) is also 

 much esteemed, as is manifest from the nature of its Carrier name, was- 

 It is eaten before the plant reaches maturity. 



Nor do the Carriers disdain the leaves of the Oregon grape (Berberis 

 aquifolium), which are simmered in a little water until no liquid remains. 

 This plant, however, was formerly more sought after than is done by 

 the modern Carriers, who call it a'tan-tcis, " simmered-leaf." 



Another article of food, cheap because very common, but not the 

 least prized by the aborigines is the hair-like lichen (Alectoria Jubata),- 



