2 
NORTHERN OCEAN. 
always compofed of {mall thongs cut from raw 
deer-fkins, they take a number of birds bills and 
feet, and tie them, a little apart from each other, 
tothe head and foot rope of the net, and at the 
four corners generally faften fome of the toes 
and jaws of the otters and jackafhes. ‘The birds 
feet and bills made choice of on fuch occafions 
are generally thofe of the laughing goofe, wavey, 
(or white goofe,) gulls, loons, and black-heads ; 
and unlefs fome or all of thefe be faftened to the 
net, they will not attempt to put it into the wa- 
ter, as they firmly believe it would not catch a 
fingle fith. ) ; 
A net thus accoutred is fit for fettine whene- 
ver occafion requires, and opportunity offers; but 
the firft fifth of whatever f{pecies caught in it, are 
not to be foddeninthe water, but broiled whole 
on the fire, and the. flefh carefully taken from 
the bones without diflocating one joint; after 
which the bones are laid on the fire at full length 
and burnt. A firict obfervance of thee rules is fup- 
pofed to be of the utmoft importance in promot- 
ing the future fuccefs of the new net; and a 
neglect of them would render it not worth a 
farthing*. | 
When they fifh in rivers, or narrow channels 
that 
* They frequently fell new nets, which have not been wet more than 
once or twice, becaufe they have not been fuccefsful, ‘Thofe nets, when 
foked in water, are eafily opened, and then make moft excellent heel and 
toe netting for fnow-fhoes, In general it is far fuperior to the netting 
cut by the Southern Indian women, and is not larger than common net~ 
twine. 
39 
