r 
fist, of this clay is burnt in a fire made of willow wood ; thus it becomes 
a fine, white powder, which is mixed with the wool or hair. The mix- 
ture is spread over a mat, sprinkled with water, and for several hours 
thoroughly beaten with a sabre-like instrument until it is white and dry ; 
thus the grease is removed from the hair. Then it is spun with the hand 
on the bare thigh. The thread is worked into a basket ; thus two baskets 
full of thread are made. Then the two threads are rolled up together 
on a stick and a large ball is made, which can be unrolled from the inner 
end. The latter is next fastened to the shaft of the spindle. The spindle 
has a shaft about three feet long, a heavy disc of whale’s bone about a foot 
in diameter being fastened to its centre. When in use, the upper end of 
the shaft rests between the thumb and first finger of the left, while its 
lower end stands on the ground. It is turned with the right hand by 
striking the lower surface of the disc. Thus the two threads are twisted 
one around the other, and the double thread is rolled on the shaft of the 
spindle until the whole ball has been spun. These threads are used for 
a variety of purposes ; for making blankets, for fringes, for making straps. 
The blanket is woven on a very simple loom. The cloth- and yarn-bars 
rest in two vertical posts, which have each slits for these bars. The ends 
of the bars turn in these slits. The bars are adjustable, wedges being 
inserted into the slits so as to regulate their distance. The warp is hung 
over the bars, passing over a thin stick which hangs in the middle be- 
tween the bars. The weft is plaited in between the warp, beginning 
under the stick. Unfortunately, I am unable to describe the exact 
_ method of weaving. The weft is pressed tight with the fingers. The 
blankets have a selvage, which consists of a long thread with loops, that 
- form a fringe when the blanket is finished. Some blankets of this style 
are made with black zigzag stripes. 
Nettles serve for making ropes and nets. They are cleaned between 
a pair of shells, then split with a bone needle, dried, and finaliy peeled. 
The fibres are then spun on the thigh. Another fibrous plant called 
_etca/muk*, which is found on Fraser River, is traded for and used for making 
nets. Red paint is not made by the Lku’igmn, but traded from the tribes 
on the mainland. Neither do they make cedar-hark mats, the manu- 
- facture of which is confined to the Kwakiutl and Nootka. 
Burnt pipe-clay is used for cleaning blankets. The clay is spread 
oyer the blanket, sprinkled with water, and then thoroughly beaten. 
Clams are prepared in the following way. They are opened by being 
spread over red-hot stones and covered with a mat; then they are 
taken out of the shell, strung on poles, and roasted. After being roasted 
they are covered with a mat and softened by being trampled upon. Next 
they are taken from the sticks on which they were roasted and strung on 
cedar-bark strips. In this shape they are dried and stored for winter use 
in boxes. They are eaten raw or with olachen oil. 
Salal berries are boiled and then dried on leaves; the boiled berries 
are given the shape of square cakes. When eaten they are mashed in 
water. 
The root of Pteris aquilina is roasted, pounded, and the outer part is 
eaten. 
Haws are eaten with salmon roe. 
On boat journeys the roots of Pteris aquilina and a species of onions 
called k-tla’ol, serve for food. 
ON THE NORTH-WESTERN TRIBES OF CANADA. 567 
