EXTRACTS. 277 



Williams (Roger): A Key into the Language of America, or an Help to the 

 Language of the Natives in that Part of America called New- England ; London, 

 1643. Eeprinted as Vol. I of the " Collections of tlie Rhode Island Historical 

 Society;''' Providence, 1827 . " Missiickeke-kequock, Basse. The Indians (and 

 the English too) make a daintie dish of the Uppaquontup, or head of this Fish ; 

 and well they may, the braines and fat of it being very much, and sweet as 

 marrow. 



" Kaiiposh-shauoog, 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 neither furnish the English with so many, nor so cheape, that 

 any great trade is like 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 River 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. 



" Mishcup-pauog, Sequanamauquock, Breame. Obs : Of this Fish there is 

 abundance, which the Natives drie in the Sunne and smoake ; and some English 

 begin to salt, both wayes they keepe all the yeere ; and it is hoped it may be as 

 well accepted as Cod at a Market, and better, if once knowne. 



" Potop-pauog, Whales. Which in some places are often cast up ; I have 

 scene some of them, but not above sixtie foot long : The Natives cut them out in 

 severall parcells, and give and send farre and neere for an acceptable present, or 

 dish. 



" Sickissuog, Clams. Obs : This is a sweet kind of shellfish, which all In- 

 dians generally over the Countrey, Winter and Summer delight in ; and at low 

 water the women dig for them : this fish and the naturall liquors of it, they boile, 

 and it makes their broth and their Nasaump (which is a kind of thickened 

 broth) and their bread seasonable and savoury, in stead of Salt : and for that 

 the English Swine dig and root these Clams wheresoever they come, and watch 

 the low water (as the Indian women do) therefore of all the English Cattell, the 

 Swine (as also because of their filthy disposition) are most hatefull to all Natives, 

 and they call them filthy cut throats, &c. 



" Sequnnock, Poquauhock, A Horse fish.* Obs : This the English call 

 Hens, a little thick shell fish which the Indians wade deepe and dive for, and 

 after they have eaten the meat there (in those which are good) they breake out 

 the shell* about halfe an inch of a blacke part of it, of which they make their 

 Suckauhock, or blackmoney, which is to them pretious. 



* The hard-shell clam (Venus mercenaria, Lin.). 



