164 



REPOET OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



^vas so considei^able that they nsed to catch fisli enouii^h for their own 

 coiisumi)tioii, and to supply Neivport & divers other ])laces with fresh 

 fish ; but that, the channel being now filled, the small tisb or bait 

 AThich used to go into the ponfl, liave left the island, & the cod tisli 

 with them ; so that at present the inhabitants cannot get near enough 

 for their own eating, and that these inconveniences have such an effect 

 u})on the real estates on the island that land will not sell or rent for 

 nsore than half the sum which land of the like quality will sell or rent 

 for in other parts of the colony. 



A Key into the language of America, or an help to the Language of the 

 JS'atives in New England^ London, by Roger Williams ; 1043. 



[Repriuted in the collections of the Rliode Island Historical Society, vol. 1, 1827.] 



OF FISH AND FISHING. 



Nauiafis, snck. 

 Paugan.aiit, tamwock. 



Qnnnaniaug-suck. 



Auiusiiog, and Mnnnawhatteaug. 



Jlissuckeke-kequock. 



Fish, Fishes. 



Cod, \Yliicli is tlie first that comes a little 

 before the Spring. 



Lampries, The tir.st that comes in the Spring 

 into tlie fresh Rivers. 



A Fisli somewhat lilie a herring. [The ale- 

 wife and menhaden. "j 



Basse. 



The Indians (and the English too) nnike a daintie dish of the Uppa- 

 quontup, or head of this tish ; and well they may, the braines and fat 

 of it being very much, and sweet as marrow. 



Kai'iposh-shafiog. 



Sturgeon. 



Obs: Divers part of the Countrey abound with this Fish; yet the ■ 

 Natives, for the goodnesse and greatnesse of it, much prize it, and will 1! 

 neither furnish the English with so many, nor so cheape, tbat any great 

 trade is likely to be made of it, untill the English themselves are fit to 

 follow the fishing. 



The Natives venture one or two in a Canow, and with an harping Iron, 

 or such like Instrument, sticke this fish, and so hale it into their Canow; 

 sometimes they take them by their nets, which they make strong of 

 Hemp. 



Ashop, their nets. Which they will set thwart some little Eiver or Cove, 

 wherein they kill Basse (at the fall of the water) with their arrows, or 

 sharp sticks, especially if headed with Iron, gotten from the English, &c. 



An cup. 



Anci>pawese. 



Wawwhunnekcsnog. 



Jlishqnammafiquock. 



Osacoutuck. 



A little Cove or Creeke. 

 A very little one. 

 Mackrell. 

 Red tish, Salmon. 



A fat, sweet fish, something like a Haddock. 

 [Not identified.] 

 Mishcup-iiai'iog. Sequauamauquock. Breame. [Scup.] 



Obs : Of this Fish there is abundance, which the Natives drie in the 

 Sunue and smoake : and some English begin to salt, both "wayes they 

 keepe all the yeere ; and it is hoi)ed it may be as well accepted as Cod 

 at a Market, and better, if once knowne. 



Taut-afiog. 

 Neeshauog. 

 Tatackom mm aiiog. 

 Pntop-pauog. 



Sheeps-heads. [The tautog.] 



Eeles. 



Porpuses. 



Whales. 



