56 



occurs in the large rivers, as a rule, but runs into some of 

 the small streams also, notably the Karluk and some of the 

 rivers of Cook's Inlet. The Yukon and the Nushagak are 

 the greatest king-salmon rivers in Alaska. The average 

 weight of this salmon is above 20 pounds, and indi- 

 viduals weighing upward of 100 f)Ounds are on record. 

 At St. Paul, Kadiak, Mr. B. G. Mclntyre Aveighed one 

 which registered 87|^ pounds without its viscera, and the 

 entire fish must have exceeded 100 pounds. Captain Wm. 

 Kohl has recently told me that he once obtained reliable 

 information in Cook's Inlet of a salmon weighing about 

 140 pounds, and individuals of equal size are reported in 

 the Yukon. These large lisli are interesting in connection 

 with the solution of the problem whether all king-salmon 

 die after spawning, as some competent observers positiveh^ 

 assert they do. The flesh of this species is superior in flavor 

 to that of all the rest. In Alaska the bellies are salted, but 

 the flsh is used chiefly in the fresh state and for canning. 

 Three of these salmon will make a case of 48 pounds. 

 This is one of the greatest travellers in the territory, 

 ascending the Yukon more than 1,500 miles from its mouth. 

 The natives of Karluk watch from the headlands for its 

 arrival in May, and set up a great shout when they have 

 discovered this pioneer of the salmon hosts. Like the 

 other species, it can be seen 1|- miles ofi^ shore in great 

 schools, which break uj) before approaching close to the 

 land. 



The dog-salmon {hyJco of the Russians), Plate VI, 

 fig. 18, is not used by Americans, but it is one of the 

 most important species to the natives. It is found chiefly 

 in the small rivers and creeks, and is usually abun- 

 dant in all j)arts of the territory as far north as Hotham 

 Inlet, and jDrobably Point Barrow. When it arrives 

 from the sea its flesh has a beautiful red color, but it 

 deteriorates rapidly in fresh-water. The jaws become en- 



