24 ALASKA. 



mile or two from the water, and for nearly the whole distance a range of distant 

 mountains parallel to the left shore is visible. In these mountains, lie the upper 

 branches of the great river Kuskokwim. 



Sandstone and slate continue throughout this portion of the Yukon Val- 

 ley. . . . There are few tributaries of importance in this section of the river, 

 but there are many small streams. The Takaiak joins the river some 50 miles 

 below Nulato, and the Anvik about 110 miles lower down. The latter has 

 steep banks and swift waters. About 130 miles below Nulato the Yukon sepa- 

 rates into two branches, the main stream pursuing a southerly course, and the 

 lesser branch, running at first a little south of east, makes finally a great bend to 

 the south and west and enters the main river again about 60 miles below the 

 point of separation. This lesser branch is called Chageluk Slough, and into it, 

 a few miles from its entrance, empties the Chageluk or Innoko River. A little 

 below Andreievsky the Yukon bends abruptly to the north and runs about north- 

 west to the sea. The three principal outlets of the great river are the Aphoon 

 or upper, the Kwikpak or middle, and the Kusilvak or lower mouth. The 

 Aphoon outlet is about 40 miles in length and has an average width of perhaps 

 one-third of a mile. 



During the brief summer, adds Mr. PetrotF, tlie whole popula- 

 tion flocks to the river, attracted by the myriads of salmon. The 

 banks are lined with summer villages and camps of fishermen, 

 who build their basket traps far out into the eddies and bends of 

 the stream and lay up their store of dried fish, or "yukala," for the 

 long arctic winter. The traveler on the river during this busy 

 season would form an entirely erroneous idea of the density of the 

 population. The surrounding country is drained. Were he to 

 make a brief excursion into the almost impenetrable forests and 

 over the hills and mountains, he would quickly perceive that 

 along the river alone exist the conditions necessary to sustain life 

 throughout the year. The small rivulets of the interior and the 

 vast swampy plains covered with snow for seven or eight months 

 of the year are only visited by the trapper and hunter when the 

 skins of the marten, mink, and muskrat are in their prime. 

 Where the mountains are higher, along the upper courses of the 

 Yukon and the Tanana, game is more abundant and the inhabitants 

 are less dependent upon the river and its fish. 



