BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ISIMSIHAN 



57 



based on woodwork, is essentially a man's art; the geometric ail, 

 which is based on basket and mat weaving, is a woman's art. 1 



The products of different parts of the country and of different 

 tribes were so varied, that a lively trade existed all along the coast. 

 The Tsimshian sold to the Haida, in 

 exchange for canoes, particularly 

 boxes of olachen oil, carved spoons of 

 mountain-goat horn (fig. 19) and 

 bighorn-sheep horn (fig. 20), wool 

 and woolen blankets. Dentalia, 



abalone shells, copper, and 

 slaves were also important 

 in intertribal trade. Dried 

 salmon, halibut, and other 

 kinds of staple food, were 

 also sold in exchange for 

 furs and other valuables. It 

 is said that blankets made 

 of marmot skins sewed 

 together were a standard of 

 value. The curious copper 

 plates made in olden times of native copper, later of imported 

 copper (fig. 21), represented high values. These were used only at 

 pot latches. 



targe copper pla 



For details in recant to this subject see Boas t>; Emmons 1. 2; Willoughby. 



