108 CRUISE Ol-' THE STEAMER COKWIN. 



trend from east to west. The highest mountains, as first remarked, are about three thousand feet 

 above the sea. 



It appears that these mountains Lave never been visited by the natives. There are many 

 superstitions connected with them, and in consequence of this fact none of their number could be 

 induced to accomi>auy us as guides. 



On the eastern end of the range there are clitfs of serpentine rock. This is of a dusky green 

 color. Serpentine has a i)ecular mottled appearauce, nut unlike a serpent's skiu, from which fact 

 it derives its name. It is quite soft aud can be easily jioli-shed. Among the river natives were 

 found two or three axes of this material. These were all rude affairs, however, and bore no 

 resemblance to the old nephrite implements. 



Near the western end of the range we found quantities of a light green rock. This is very 

 hard and compact, ami bears no resemblance to the serpentine formation. The exact nature of 

 this rock is unknown. It re-sembles jade in color, but lacks the granular structure. It lacks the 

 translucent nature of nephrite, although some specimens exhibited this peculiarity to a certain 

 extent. The stone is pos.sibly an imperfect nephrite. The latter is never found in (juantities — 

 generally in "pockets" only— although nothing of the kind came under our ob.servation. 



Nephrite was undoubtedly obtained in these mountains. The exact place, however, is 

 unknown to the i)resent geiuTation of natives. 



I am indebted to Mr. W. II. Melville, of the IT. S. Geological Survey, for analysis of rock, and 

 other favors, for which I desire to return thanks. 



THE FFB THADK. 



In the Kowak Kiver region the fur trade is of local importance only. The few hundred skins 

 which are annually brought down to the coast are comparatively insignificant in value, and in the 

 end are productive of more evil than good to the native inhabitants. 



It is impossible to gather any statistics showing the value of the production. It is believed, 

 however, that the annual ])roduct iloes not exceed ten thousand dollars in'value. 



The most valuable peltry to be obtanied in this region is the silver-gray fox. The skin is 

 worth about ten dollars in trade to the natives, but in the San Francisco market it is worth from 

 two to three times that amount. The beaver is found sparingly here, and the fur, although in 

 demand, has not a high value. The peltry can be obtained for about a dollar in trade. 



The land otter is found more or less commonly throughout the interior. The fur is justly 

 esteenu'd in the market, and by many it is considered equal to the fur-seal. The fur is thicker and 

 lieavier than the latter and ceitainly inucli more serviceable. It can be obtained for about two 

 dollars in trade. 



The marten is found abundantly in the mountain districts. In former times it was one of the 

 most imitortant and valuable skins in the market. At the present time, owing to the caprice of 

 fashion, there is little demand for it. It is worth about one dollar in trade. 



In addition to those mentioned, the red, white, aud cross fox, bear, wolf, lynx, and reindeer 

 are found abundantly in this region, and their skins are a staple article of trade. There are no 

 Iradnig stations in this region. The bulk of the production is brought down to the shores of 

 Kotzebue Sound, and a market is found on board the numerous vessels that visit this region. 



There is an excelhuit opportunity for the establishment of a trading station at this point, aud 

 the enterprise would undoubtedly prove renumerative. Under the present lack of system the 

 trade is injurious aud denu)ralizing to the natives. 



There are certain furs which can not be obtained except for rifles or whisky. Large quantities 

 of both were brought into Kotzebue Sound during the jiast summer by the Diomede and Cape 

 Prince of Wales natives, who oljtaiiied them on the Siberian coast. 



The sooner the limited denuind tor rifles cau be legitimately supplied the sooner will the 

 horrors of the whisky trafiic cease. 



