72 
until the advent of the Russians, they have been 
contented in earlier days to eat from year’s end to year’s 
end, unsalted fish, whale, seal and walrus, a diet that 
would be utterly abhorrent to anyone but themselves. 
They have found in these mammals all the requirements 
for food and clothing, fire and light, and in their absence 
fish anda few roots and berries have been their only 
luxuries. The love of home is innately strong, so the 
manner in which to make them more comfortable and 
nearer to equality with the other inhabitants of the 
United States is to teach them to utilize for trade all the 
food fishes possible. 
Naturally those who live in the more remote localities 
will be sometime in their pristine condition and the 
great duty devolving upon those who are in power js 
to protect their main-stay in the sea and its tributaries. 
The smaller fishes are the food of the larger, such as 
cod, halibut, salmon, herring and mackerel ; these again 
are the prey of the still larger, and the very existence 
of one depends, upon the. safety of the other, Tie 
profits in whale fishing have fallen off considerably 
because of the manner of slaying and the greed of those 
who are not careful in selecting their animals. 
Explosives particularly, not only destroy the monsters 
who are sought for oil and bone, but they injure the 
more abundant smaller fishes. 
Direct from a San Francisco whaleman comes the 
news that his vessel made its usual voyage, which 
occupied nine months, when it was compelled to return 
for provisions with but one medium sized whale for the 
season’s returns. This individual blamed the disastrous 
season on the illicit fishing, and the use of fire-arms and 
powder, which frighten the timid creatures away from 
their haunts. The loss to the whaler is serious, but 
the natives who depend upon the cetaceans for their 
living in certain parts of the year, must suffer pitiably 
by their absence. 
