388 USES OF PLANTS BY THE CHIPPEWA INDIANS [ETH. ANN. 44 
The heaviest bark, from large trees, comprises six to nine distinct 
layers and is so strong that it could be made into canoes carrying 
many persons. ‘The thinnest birch bark is like tissue paper but 
so tough that it was used in wrapping small packets tied with a thin 
strand of basswood fiber, (Pl. 43, 6.) Between these extremes were 
many grades of thickness into which the bark of moderate sized trees 
could be split. A proficient woman worker could usually obtain the 
quality she desired either from her supply in storage or by felling 
a tree of suitable size. A peculiarity of birch bark is that it keeps 
from decay whatever is stored in it. Edibles were stored in makuks, 
even a gummy maple sirup being safely stored for a year in this 
manner. Heavy birch bark was wrapped around the bodies of the 
dead. Two contradictory qualities are interesting to observe. The 
bark was highly inflammable, being used as tinder and for torches, 
and yet it was possible to use freshly cut bark as a cooking utensil, 
the inner surface being exposed to the fire. 
Birch bark was commonly available and was used for hastily made 
containers of various sorts. Thus a person gathering spruce gum or 
a few berries would cut a piece of birch bark, fold it into a “scoop” 
and use it temporarily. If birch bark articles split they were mended 
with balsam gum. With this care a makuk or tray might be used 
for 10 years. 
It was said that when a woman was cutting birch bark she often 
“ sharpened her knife” by drawing it across her hair. 
Birch bark can be unrolled only by exposing it to the heat of a 
fire. When heated it becomes pliable, and retains any form in which 
it is placed when thus softened. 
Makuks.—These were of various sorts, according to their use. The 
most common makuk was that used for storing maple sugar. (PI. 
34.) These makuks were sewed with split roots, and had a thin 
piece of basswood bark around the top, sewed over and over with 
split roots, like the top of a canoe. They ranged in size from makuks 
holding about 1 pound of sugar to those holding 20 or 30 pounds. 
A cover with slanting sides was sewed over the top. A similar 
makuk of medium or rather large size was used as a bucket, the 
seams being covered with pitch and a handle attached. 
The makuks used for gathering and storing berries had straight 
sides, and the storage makuks were frequently made with the rough 
outer surface of the bark on the outside. A berry gathering makulk 
had a loop of fiber attached to one side so it could be hung from a 
woman’s belt as she worked. (PI. 32, 6.) These small makuks for 
gathering fruit held about a quart, and the storage makuks or those 
for carrying the berries frequently held 12 quarts or more. The 
storage makuks had no binding around the top, and were frequently 
made with one side higher than the other so it could be lapped over 
