THE FOOD FISHES OF ALASKA. 387 
WHITE-FISH. Coregonus, sp. indet.; Russian, Morskot ciga ; Tinneh tribes 
of the Yukon, Telmikkah. 
This is the most abundant and best-flavored species of Coregonus in 
most localities. It is distinguished by its small scales, fins, tail, and 
head, and is of symmetrical proportions and moderate size. It rarely 
exceeds three pounds in weight, and is the staple article of food in 
winter on the Yukon. Te 
NULATO WHITE-FISH. Coregonus, sp. indet.; Russian, Nulatoski ciga ; 
Tinneh tribes of the Yukon, Sceghuh. 
This is a small, thin, bony species, common near Nulato, on the Yu- 
kon, and is rarely more than half a pound in weight. It is of little use 
as food, and is principally abundant in summer. 
GRAYLING. Thymalis Pallasiit, Cuvier; Russian, Koruski; Tinneh 
tribes of the Yukon, Telmyah ; Hudson Bay traders, blackfish or blan- 
ket fish. ! 
Abundant in the small rapid rivers of Alaska. It is the only fish in 
the Yukon Territory which will take the hook. It is of moderate value 
only, for table use, and is especially abundant in spring, when the 
white-fish begin to be scarce. It is a most beautiful species; a specimen 
obtained at Nulato, April 7, 1866, gave the following notes: “ Dorsal 
fin extremely long, gray, with clear spots, each centered with scarlet. 
The extreme tip of the fin, dark blue. Tail broad, dark, flecked with 
streaks of crimson. Abdominal fins each with four narrow streaks of 
light pink. The pectoral fins with several scarlet blotches. Eyes sil- 
very, grass-green on the upper part of the orbit. A large black blotch 
on each side below the lips, and twelve or fifteen small ones well for- 
ward on each side. Belly with bright coppery reflections, all the side 
seales reflecting pink, and dark yellow or coppery.” 
PIKE. sox estor, Leseur; Russian, Sukkuh; Tinneh tribes of the 
‘Yukon, Khikiyiih; Innuit of the Kuskoquim River, Chukak. 
Common in all the lakes and ponds of the Hudson Bay Territory and 
Northern Alaska, but absent from the rivers. It is caught with seines 
in summer and early wintef. It is principally used for dog-feed, being 
of little value for the table. It is noticeable as being one of the East 
American species which north of the Alaska Mountains nearly reach 
the tide-water of the western slope of the continent. It spawns in April 
and May on the Yukon. 
Losu. Lota maculata, Linné; Russian, Nalime; Tinneh tribes of the 
Yukon, Ligtsh; Innuit of the Kuskoquim, Managnat. } 
This fish (known on Lake Erie as the eelpout, and elsewhere as the 
burbot) is exceedingly abundant in the rivers and lakes of the Hudson 
Bay Territory and of Alaska. They grow to a very large size, and form 
an acceptable dish in the absence of white-fish, They sometimes reach 
a length of five feet, and a weight of sixty pounds. The flesh is com- 
paratively hard and dry, and they are chiefly valued for their livers 
and roe. The liver is of a triangular shape, weighing a pound or two, 
and is an extremely rich and delicate morsel when broiled. It affords a 
pint or so of sweet rich oil, used by the Russians in cooking, and which 
doubtless might be used instead of cod-liver oil. The skin is stretched 
and dried, and serves the natives for trimming their deer-skin clothing, 
and also for windows in some localities. It resembles a dark, trans- 
lucent, marbled paper. 
