46 ANTHROPOLOGICAL, SURVEY IN ALASKA [ETH. ann. 46 



bluffs, far beyond which are seen higher elevations and bluish for- 

 ested mountains. All covered with poplar and spruce. 



2.15 p. m. Wind has so increased that the scow bumps and squeaks 

 and there is danger of opening its seams. Therefore side to the 

 beach and make lunch — a roast of fat pork, oversalted, canned 

 spinach, dry bread, and black coffee. All on a simple, old, but effici- 

 ent little stove in the boat. Our companion, the oculist, rides not 

 with us but in a nice little green canoe with a plaything of a gasoline 

 motor fastened to the backboard, but we all eat and sleep together. 



But a few small Indian camps seen, and no white man's house. 

 Soon after lunch, however, approach " The Old Station," where 

 there are a few Indian houses, and later a white man's place (Bur- 

 chell's). Stop at the latter. Learn that we are 20 miles from 

 Tanana and on a 5-mile-long channel. There are here 15 to 40 feet 

 high loesslike (silt) bluffs with a flat on the top, which latter 

 was from far back one of the most important sites of the Indians 

 of these regions. Mr. Burchell and his partner kindly take me back, 

 with their better boat, to the main old site. Many old graves there, 

 a few still marked. Traces of dugouts (birch-bark lined), houses, 

 caches, etc., from Burchell's place to old main site. Important 

 place that deserves to be thoroughly excavated, though this will 

 entail no little work. Site was of the choicest, dominant, healthy. 

 Connects by a trail, still traceable, with the Koyukuk region. 



There are said to be no traces of pottery in any of these parts. 

 But average to very large stone axes are washed out occasionally 

 from the banks, and other articles are dug out (long ivory spear, 

 bone scraper, etc.). Promise of bones, etc., by Mr. Burchell. 



One hundred miles more to Ruby. Near 8 p. m. start again — sun 

 still high, little wind — endeavor to get to the "bone yard," a great 

 bank bearing fossils. Fine clean scenery, flat on left, flat to elevated 

 with grey-blue mountainous beyond on right. Water now calm and 

 we make good progress. Very few camps — dogs on the beach, fish- 

 drying racks a little farther, then a little log cabin and perhaps a 

 tent, with somewhere near by in the river the inevitable fish wheel, 

 turning slowly with the current. 



Had supper at Burchell's; white fish, boiled potato, coffee, some 

 canned greens. 



Scenery in spots precious, virginal, flat at the river, elevated be- 

 hind, foreground covered by the lighter green of poplars and birches, 

 with upright, somber, dark spruce behind. Sun on the right, half 

 moon on the left, and river like a big glassy lake, just rippling a 

 little here and there. Cooler — need a coat. On right, getting 

 gradually nearer the mountains. 



