THE WESTERN DENES. 135 



■ and Southern Carriers liaA-e two species of potato-like tubers, identical 

 in nature and taste, though differing in shape and name. One 

 '.{esrouh in Cliilh^j^otin) is elongated and closely resembles a diminutive 

 "lady-finger" potato. The other is spheroidal and called switi by 

 the Chilh;:^otins. Both kinds are dug out by the women with T 

 shaped sticks and dried in large quantities. These edible roots are 

 not found in the Sekanais' nor in the greater part of the Cai-riers' 

 territory. But the latter possess a substitute in the root of a species 

 ■of fern not so plentiful, but of a larger size. They call it 'ah. It is 

 not dried. but eaten fresh and baked a Vetouffee in this wise: The 

 natives dis: out a hole about three feet in diameter in the sjround, 

 pave its bottom with heated stones over which they strew chips of 

 alder bark, and then fill it up with the i-oots. The whole is then 

 ■covered with earth and the roots will be ready for the table (or rather 

 the mat) tea or twelve hours later, that is, when entirely cooled down. 

 They claim that this root when thus prepared is really most excellent 

 and it is greatly relished. They also eat the esculent bulb of a kind 

 ■of reddish lily [Tsachoen'^). 



It is almost needless to mention the fact that none of the Dene 

 "tribes originally cultivated the soil. Of late years, however, the 

 Chilh;^otins and Carriers have made laudable efforts to raise potatoes 

 and a few vegetable roots wherever practicable. The former, whose 

 land and climate are more adaptable to agriculture, now reap tolerably 

 good wheat crops. They also possess large bands of cayouse horses 

 which graze annually on the famous bunch grass of their extensive 

 table-lands. As for the Nah'anes and Sekanais as a rule, they know 

 Tioi'ses only by name (Chicho, big dog) and have never yet grown a 

 single potato. 



XL 



A paper, however imperfect, on the Sociology of Indian tribes 

 would hardly be complete without at least a reference to their arts 

 and industries. As these were not of a multifarious nature among 

 our Dends, I shall be rather short on that head. Besides, I have 

 already, in several instances, touched ni)on some of their industries, 



IThisis the Erythronium Esculentum which, according to Lapcrouse and other travellers, 

 ithe Kanitschadals and the Yenissei Tartars so greatly relish. 



