376 fisheries of the united states. [106] 



Basket. 



A small basket, " Kla-ash," used as a receptacle for spear-heads by 

 natives when engaged in killing seal. Length, 15£ inches. 

 Makali Indians, January, 1883. 726G4. James G. Swan. 

 Basket. 



Basket used to hold spear-heads and other small articles when seal- 

 ing — called by the Makahs, "Kla-ash." A very fine specimen. 

 Double, made for a chief, and was procured as a special favor. 

 Such baskets are never offered for sale. After having been 

 used they acquire additional value, and to sell one is deemed 

 unlucky. This being new, was more easily obtained. Length, 

 19 inches. Makah Indians, Cape Flattery, 1883. James G. 

 Swan. 



ACCESSORIES. 



Serving Laniards. 



Serving stick and twine. 



Stick, yew; twine, nettle fiber. Ends of stick carved to represent 

 the caudal fin of the whale. Used in connection with the 

 mallet (76638) to serve harpoon laniards. Length, 16£ inches. 

 Makah Indians, Cape Flattery, 1882. 7263". James G. Swan. 

 By means of this implement and the mallet, twine is wound or 

 wrapped around the harpoon lines in spiral folds in the same 

 manner as ordinary seamen serve a rope with spun-yarn or mar- 

 line. The Indians employed this process before the advent of 

 the white man. The necessities of the case caused them to 

 adopt a plan at once simple and effective. "This stick has been 

 in the family from which it was procured more than four gen- 

 erations. It was the property of Chief Haiks, who died at 

 Neah Bay thirty years ago. His whaling implements have 

 been carefully preserved and never used since his death." — [J. 

 G. Swan.] 



Serving mallet. 



Indian name, "Kla-ta-bup." Small wooden mallet, square ends, 

 longitudinal groove in upper surface; used with the serving 

 stick (72637) in wrapping the sinew rope, for harpoon laniards, 

 with twine; usually made from the fibers of nettle. Length, 6 

 inches. Makah Indians, Cape Flattery, 1882. 72638. James 

 G. Swan. 



MANUFACTURE OF TWINE. 

 Bark. 



Inner bark of white cypress (Gupressus nukatensis), from which is 

 manufactured the twine used in whaling, as well as soft beds 

 for infants. Small package; length, 5 inches. Makah Indians, 

 Cape Flattery. 72641. James G. Swan. When a harpoon 



