COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1905. 33 



At one time it was thought that the problem of furnishing a perma- 

 nent supply of food for the natives on the Pribilof and Aleutian groups 

 could be solved by salting the carcasses of the fur seals and shipping 

 these to the various settlements. In 1880, 1 ,000,000 pounds, valued at 

 $10,000, were so prepared, but owing to the fact that the meat did not 

 keep very well, and to other causes, the project was soon abandoned. 

 The natives living on the Pribilof group, however, still depend quite 

 largely upon the seal carcasses for food . 



MISCELLANEOUS AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



Grampus. — This mammal, commonly known as the beluga in 

 Alaska, is quite abundant in the summer along the Alaskan coast 

 north of the Aleutian chain, being particularly numerous about the 

 mouths of rivers and frequently ascending the larger streams far 

 above tide water. It is migratory, and its movements are regulated 

 by the ice. The numerous tidal creeks along the low flat coast from 

 St. Michaels to the Kuskoquim River, in which tomcods are abundant, 

 are the chief resort of the beluga, which comes in to feed on the fish. 

 The Eskimos catch them with strong, large-meshed nets, heavily 

 weighted, set off outlying points. In rough weather, when the ani- 

 mals can not see the nets, many are taken, but in clear weather the 

 catch is small. Some are speared, some shot, but unless the shot goes 

 through the spinal column these generally escape. The flesh of a young 

 beluga is tender and not unpalatable, but is rather coarse and dry. 

 The fat, or blubber, is clear and white and is highly valued by the 

 natives, who extract the oil from it and use it in barter with the inte- 

 rior tribes. The intestines are made into waterproof garments or 

 floats, and the sinews are very much prized. The small ivory teeth 

 are carved into toys or ornamental pendants, while the skin is made 

 into strong lines or very durable boot soles. The epidermis, which is 

 nearly half an inch thick, when well cooked is considered choice eat- 

 ing, having a flavor somewhat resembling chestnuts. 



Hair seals.— While these animals form a very insignificant part of 

 the commerce in winch the white traders participate, owing to the 

 fact that their fur is worthless, they are of immense importance to the 

 natives, for from the flesh and oil is secured a considerable part of 

 their winter food, while the skins are highly prized for covering the 

 kyacks and umiaks and for boot soles, trousers, mittens, clothing 

 bags, and caps, and when cut into strips make a very strong and dura- 

 ble cord. The skin in its raw state is thick and unwieldy, but when 

 nicely tanned becomes soft and pliable. The coast natives also 

 barter the flesh, oil, and skins with the interior tribes for reindeer 

 hides and furs, thus creating a very important branch of trade, of 

 which it is impossible to form an idea, owing, to the inaccessibility of 



