274 PREHISTORIC FISHING. 



several holes are made in the ice, each at such distance from that behind it, as 

 that it may be reached, under the ice, by the end of a pole. A line, of sixty 

 fathoms in length, is thus conveyed from hole to hole, till it is extended to the 

 length desired. This done, the pole is taken out, and with it one end of the line, 

 to which the end is then fastened. The line being now drawn back by an assist- 

 ant, who holds the opposite extremity, the net is brought under, and a large stone 

 is made fast to the sinking-line at each end, and let down to the bottom ; and 

 the net is spread in the water, by lighters on its upper edge, sinkers on its lower, 

 in the usual manner. The fish, running against the net, entangle their gills in 

 the meshes, and are thus detained till taken up." (Page 55). 



" These rapids (of Sault de Sainte-Marie) are beset with rocks of the most 

 dangerous description ; and yet they are the scene of a fishery in which all their 

 dangers are braved and mastered with singular expertness. They are full of 

 white-fish, much larger and more excellent than those of Michilimakinac, and 

 which are found here during the greater part of the season, weighing, in general, 

 from six pounds to fifteen. 



" The method of taking them is this : each canoe carries two men, one of 

 whom steers with a paddle, and the other is provided with a pole, ten feet in 

 length, and at the end of which is affixed a scoop-net. The steersman sets the 

 canoe from the eddy of one rock to that of another ; while the fisherman in the 

 prow, who sees through the pellucid element the prey of which he is in pursuit, 

 dips his net, and sometimes brings up, at every succeeding dip, as many as it 

 can contain. The fish are often crowded together in the water in great numbers ; 

 and a skilful fisherman, in autumn, will take five hundred in two hours. 



" This fishery is of great moment to the surrounding Indians, whom it sup- 

 plies with a large proportion of their winter's provision ; for, having taken the 

 fish in the manner described, they cure them by drying in the smoke, and lay 

 them up in large quantities." (Page 58, etc.) . 



Hearne (Samuel}: A Journey from Prince of Wales' s Fort in Hudson's Bay, 

 to the Northern Ocean. Undertaken by Order of the Hudson's Say Company, for 

 the Discovery of Copper Mines, a North West Passage, &c. In the years 1769, 

 1770, 1771, & 1772 ; London, 1795. "The track of land inhabited by the 

 Northern Indians is very extensive, reaching from the fifty-ninth to the sixty- 

 eighth degree of North latitude ; and from East to West is upward of five hun- 

 dred miles wide. It is bounded by Churchill River on the South, the Athapus- 

 cow Indians' Country on the West ; the Dog-ribbed and Copper Indians' Country 

 on the North , and by Hudson's Bay on the East. 



" The many lakes and rivers with which this part of the country abounds, 

 though they do not furnish the natives with water-carriage, are yet of infinite 

 advantage to them ; as they afford great numbers of fish, both in Summer and 



