2 THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. 



show almost conclusively, that at a not very remote period, the waters of the Pacific 

 joined those of Neeah Bay, leaving that portion of the cape which is included 

 within the boundaries named by the treaty, an island. This hypothesis is sup 

 ported by a tradition of the natives to that effect, which will be noticed in another 

 portion of this paper. Even at the present time, the waters of Waatch creek at very 

 high tides, flow, by one of its branches, within a few rods of the waters of Neeah 

 Bay. The whole of this region is of a mountainous character, and is the termi 

 nation of the Olympic range, which has its highest peak far in the interior, near 

 Hood s canal. From the snow-covered mountains in the rear of Dungeness, the 

 range gradually becomes depressed, till at Cape Flattery it assumes the character 

 of hills, five or six hundred feet in height. These hills are composed of con 

 glomerate, clay-stone, tertiary sandstones, and occasional boulders of granite. 

 Small veins of bituminous coal have been found on the cape, but as yet nothing 

 of practical value. With but very few intervals, the whole of this portion of 

 Washington Territory is covered with an almost impenetrable forest, which at 

 Cape Flattery is composed of spruce and hemlock, and a dense undergrowth of 

 crab apple, alder, elder, gualtheria, raspberry, wild currant, and rose bushes. 

 The only land belonging to the Makahs, suitable for cultivation, is at Tsuess, 

 where an open prairie of sandy loam affords material for farming ; another open 

 spot is on a hill at Flattery rocks, where the Indians cultivate some potatoes ; and 

 several acres at Neeah Bay have been cleared from the forest at great expense 

 and labor, for the use of the Reservation officers and employes, who are sta 

 tioned at that point. The Waatch marsh is fit for a stock range only during the 

 summer, and its best portions could not be cultivated save by extensively draining 

 the land, and preparing it for the plough. The soil at Neeah Bay consists of a 

 stiff clay loam and ridges of rich black earth, formed by the decomposition of 

 the animal and vegetable matter thrown out by the Indians, and accumulated for 

 centuries. The humidity of the climate is extreme, consequently the cereals 

 do not ripen, nor has it been found possible to cure hay. Very excellent 

 potatoes, however, are raised, and the soil and climate are well adapted to the 

 growth, in perfection, of root vegetables of various kinds. The animals most 

 common are elk, deer, black bears, wolves, beaver, otter, raccoons, skunks, minks, 

 squirrels, etc. But these are found in limited numbers, although they abound in 

 the interior. They are not much sought after by the Indians, who devote their 

 attention more particularly to marine animals, such as fur and hair seal, porpoises, 

 whales, and fish of various kinds, which are plentiful and form the principal part 

 of their food. 



CENSUS OF THE TRIBE. During the month of October, 1861, I took a census of 

 the Makah tribe, under the direction of the United States Indian Agent. This 

 service was performed by visiting every lodge in the different villages, at a time 

 when the whole tribe were in winter quarters. The villages at that time were 

 Biiada and Neeah, at Neeah Bay ; and Waatch, Tsuess and Hosett, on the Pacific 

 coast. There were six hundred and fifty-four souls, all told; viz., men, 205; 

 women, 224; boys, 93; girls, 93; infants, 39. Again, in October, 1863, I took 

 another census of the tribe for the Indian Department. The village of Baada 



