[93J FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



of wood or bone, and the barbs of the fisli-spears of iron or bone. The 

 manufacture of whaling implements, i^articularly the harpoon poles and 

 heads, is confined to individuals who dispose of them to the others. 

 None of the Indians seem to have regular trades, yet the most expert 

 confine themselves to certain branches. Some are skillful in working 

 iron and copper, others in carving or painting, while others, again, are 

 more expert in catching fish or killing whales. 



The Indians do not understand the art of manufacturing pottery, al- 

 though clay is found at Neah Bay. Their ancient utensils for boiling 

 were simply wooden troughs, and the method of cooking in them was by 

 hot stones. These troughs are used by many at present, especially on 

 occasions of feasting, when a large quantity of food is necessary; but 

 for ordinary purposes iron pots, brass kettles, and tin pans, which have 

 been purchased from white traders, are used. Vessels for carrying 

 water, and boxes for containing blankets or clothing, are made from 

 boards, bent, when necessary, by the application of warm water; but 

 these are manufactured principally by the Clyoquot Indians, very few 

 being made by the Makahs. Wooden bowls and dishes, and chopping 

 trays, are made from alder; but some of the bowls are made of knobs 

 taken from decayed logs of maple or fir. Fishing-lines are made of 

 kelp stems; halibut hooks from hemlock knots — whale sinew being used 

 for tying on the bait. The barbs of the codfish hooks are made from 

 bone, lashed to wooden shanks, for the capture of small fish, such as 

 lierch and rock. Small pieces of bone, sharp as needles at both ends, 

 known as "gorge hooks," are seized in the middle by lines of sinew. 

 The fish-club is usuallj^ a rough piece of wood, though sometimes rudely 

 carved. In the manufacture of their tools the Makahs use a large stone 

 for an anvil and a smaller one for a hammer. Their knives, which are 

 employed either as weapons of defense or for cutting blubber or sticks, 

 are made of rasps and files, the handles being made of bone and some- 

 times ornamented with brass or copper. The Makahs understand the 

 art of tempering their knives. The chisels are made of rasps or any 

 other kind of steel. The instruments for boring holes are simply pieces 

 of iron or steel wire, flattened at the point and sharpened, with a rough 

 stick as a handle. Cutting with a knife of any kind, or with a chisel, 

 is done by working toward, instead of from, the person; but when they 

 are so fortunate as to obtain an old plane they work it in the regular 

 way. They also manufacture small knife-blades, which are inserted into 

 wooden handles and used for whittling or scarifying theu- bodies during 

 their medicine or " Ta-ma-na-was" performances. The common hammer 

 is simijly a stone ; others used to drive wedges are manufactured with 

 more care and in the form of a pestle. 



Before the advent of the white man these Indians used dried halibut 

 in place of bread, oil in place of butter, and blubber instead of beef or 

 pork. When potatoes were introduced they formed a valuable addi- 

 tion to the food of the Indians ; and since the white men have become 



