[11] FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 835 



Kelp-cutter — Continued. 



only, and is found in its best condition for the uses of the na- 

 tives during July and August. Length, 42£ inches. Port 

 Townsend, W. T., 1883. 72,658. James G. Swan. Resembles 

 in shape the capital letter A, the cross-piece forming the blade 

 or knife for severing the kelp. A loop of cedar withe, for mak- 

 ing fast a line, is fastened to each leg of the instrument. This 

 apparatus is slipped over the bulb of the kelp and lowered to 

 the bottom by means of a stone sinker, and a slight pull on the 

 line severs the stem close to the ground. 



SNOW-KNIVES. 



Snow-knife. 



Long blade, said to be made from a whaleman's boarding-knife, the 

 original having been made from a navy cutlass; handle, wal- 

 rus ivory. Length, 17£ inches. Few Bedford, Mass., 1882. 

 68,125. U. S. Fish Commission. Obtained from one of the 

 crew of whaling brig George and Mary. Made and used by 

 Eskimo, Hudson Bay, for cutting out blocks of ice and snow 

 in building igloos, as well as for cutting walrus meat, &c. 



FISH KNIVES FOR GENERAL USE. 

 FlSH-KNIFE. 



Slate blade, with convex edge, set edgewise iu wooden handle and 

 secured by lashing of a strip of skin. Length, 3f inches. Big 

 Lake, Alaska, 1879. 36,303. E. W. Nelson. 



Fish-knives (5). 



Short slate blades, with convex edges, set edgewise in wooden 

 handles. Length, 3% to 5| inches. Bristol Bay, Alaska, 1882. 

 55,916. Charles L. McKay. 



Fish-knives, old (2). 



Short slate blades, with convex edges, set edgewise in wooden 

 handles. Length, 3J and 3£ inches. Bristol Bay, Alaska, 

 1882. 55,917. Charles L. McKay. 



Fish-knife. 



Carefully finished; curved slate blade, pointed and having one 

 edge, inserted in the end of a rudely-carved bone handle. 

 Length, 6£ inches. Bristol Bay, Alaska, 1882. 56,025. Charles 

 L. McKay. 



Fish-knife. 



Blade, roughly chipped jasper, set edgewise in wooden handle. 

 Length, 3f inches. Hotham Inletf Alaska, 1880. 63,766. E. 

 W. Nelson. 



