164 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



was so considerable that they used to catch fish' enough for their own, 

 consumption, aud to supply 'Newport & divers other places with fresh 

 fish ; but that, the channel being now filled, the small fish or bait 

 which used to go into the pond, have left the island, '& the cod-fish 

 with them ; so that at present the inhabitants cannot get near enough 

 for their own eating, and that these inconveniences have such an effect 

 upon the real estates on the island that land will not sell or rent for 

 more than half the sum which land of the like quality will sell or rent 

 for in other parts of the colony. 



A Key into the language of America, or an help to the Language of the 

 Natives in New England, London, oy Roger Williams ; 1643. 



[Reprinted in the collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society, vol. 1, 1827.] 

 OF FISH AND FISHING. 



Namaus, suck. Fish, Fishes. 



Pauganaut, tainwock. Cod, Which is the first that comes a little 



before the Spring. 



Qunnainaug-suck. Larnpries, The first that comes in the Spring 



into the fresh Rivers. 



Aumshog, and Mnnuawkatteaiig. A Fish somewhat like a herring. [The ale- 



wife and menhaden.] 



Misstickeke-kequock. Basse. 



The Indians (and the English too) make a daintie dish of the Uppa- 

 quontup, or head of this fish 5 and well they may, the braines and fat 

 of it being very much, and sweet as marrow. 



Kaiiposh-shauog. Sturgeon. 



Obs : Divers part of the Countrey abound with this Fish ; yet the 

 Natives, for the goodnesse and greatnesse of it, much prize it, and will 

 neither furnish the English with so many, nor so cheape, that any great 

 trade is likely to be made of it, untill the English themselves are fit to 

 follow the fishing. 



The Natives venture one or two in a Canow, and with an harping Iron, 

 or such like Instrument, sticke this fish, and so hale it into their Canow; 

 sometimes they take them by their nets, which they make strong of 

 Hemp. 



Ashop, their nets. Which they will set thwart some little Biver or Cove, 

 wherein they kill Basse (at the fall of the water) with their arrows, or 

 sharp sticks, especially if headed with Iron, gotten from the English, &c. 



Auciip. A little Cove or Creeke. 



Aucppawese. A very little one. 



Wawwhunnekesuog. Mackrell. 



Mishqnaminaiiquock. Eed fish, Salmon. 



Osacontuck. A fat, sweet fish, something like a Haddock. 



[Not identified.] 



Mishcup-pauog. Sequanamauquock. Breame. [Scup.] 



Obs : Of this Fish there is abundance, which the Natives drie in the 

 Sunue and smoake: and some English begin to salt, both wayes they 

 keepe all the yeere ; and it is hoped it may be as well accepted as Cod 

 at a Market, and better, if once knowne. 



Ta'ut-auog. Sheeps-heads. [The tautog.] 



Neeshanog. Eeles. 



Tatackommmahog. Porpuses. 



Potop-paiiog. Whales. 



