CONTBIBUTIONS TO THE NATUBAL HISTOBY OF ALASKA. 89 



parts of the book move round so that they are frightened off. Occasionally a large cod may be 

 taken tbat way, but only the persistent endeavors of the Halibut enable it to be taken by this means. 



At Attu Island the Halibut attains a great size, but the larger ones are rarely taken. The 

 Atkhan Aleuts secure large fish of this species. At Atkha two canoes usually go together so as 

 to assist each other in case of necessity. When a large Halibut is taken the man gives a signal 

 to his comrade, and begins to tire the fish out. The comrade approaches so as to be near when 

 the fish is drawn to the surface, as they are so strong that they have frequently upset the canoe of 

 the fisherman, who is nearly always drowned if alone. 



When the fish is exhausted it is drawn to the surface and struck on the head with the club 

 used by all the Aleut fishermen. The one who comes as assistant is the person who does the killing, 

 while the other holds the line, ready to give play at the least movement of the fish. After the 

 fish has been killed it is secured between the two canoes and taken to land. This method is 

 pursued only for large fish ; the smaller ones are managed by a single fisherman. 



The fish usually lie in water of 20 to 100 fathoms. The larger fish in the deeper water. 

 Their liesh is excellent, but dry, unless properly cooked. The best way is to roast a large piece 

 of the belly with a little water and scraps of fat pork, to keep the fish from becoming too dry. If 

 properly attended to it makes a feast fit for a king. The natives usually boil the fish, a not very 

 choice way of preparing it. Large strips are cut up and hung on poles or lines to dry. It becomes 

 very hard, and unless it is not eaten with sufficient fatty substances it is not healthy. The dried 

 strips are usually put in the stomach of a sea-lion and kept for winter consumption. 



G-ADIDJB. 



15. Boreogadus saida (Lepech.) Bean. (See Pig. II.) 



The specimens of Arctic Cod collected by me were obtained in the latter part of February, 1877, 

 the coldest month during a nearly four years stay at Saint Michael's. 



Some natives had made holes in the ice in the bay, and were fishing through these holes when 

 I visited them and obtained several specimens. This species was not observed at any other than 

 the wiuter season. The natives informed me that they only occur in winter. They were obtained 

 in about three and a half fathoms. I could not learn any particulars of their habits. 



16. Gadus morrhua Linnaeus. 



The Cod of the North Pacific ranges to about latitude 64° 30' N. on the American shores, 

 and perhaps not so high on the Kamchatkan side. The limit of their northern boundary is the 

 line of constant ice during midwinter, although the northern limit of these fish is not yet well 

 made out. 



The Cod fisheries of Alaska are of great importance, the banks very extensive, and containing 

 an abundance of fish for all purposes. 



The favorite localities are the Shumagin Islands, Cook's Inlet, and throughout the Aleutian 

 Islauds. North of Aliaska the best-known locality is about thirty miles northeast of A mak Island, 

 and another of probably less importance lies thirty miles off shore from Cape Strogouof to the mouth 

 of Sulima Biver. Among the Aleutian Islauds, especially on the north side, a hook can scarcely 

 be thrown in the water without taking a Cod. One of the localities where the best fish are taken 

 among the Aleutian Islauds is off the north head of Unalashka. Another is at the entrance to Nazan 

 Harbor (Atkha Island) and on the north side of Atkha Island. Off the northeast shoulder of 

 Kiska Island, and in recent years off the northwest shoulder of Attu Island, they are abundant. 



I have learned of nothing that would lead me to believe in large migrations of the Aleutian Cod. 

 They retire to the deeper waters of the neighborhood on the approach of winter, and draw near the 

 land in May. They are most abundant in July and September in some localities, and in others in Feb- 

 ruary and March. The time of their greatest abundance at any particular locality varies according 

 to circumstances that are not yet well understood. While at Amchitka Island in 1881 1 saw the bones 

 of Codfish of such size as to excite wonder, yet I was informed by natives that the Cod only comes on 

 the north side of that island in July and never stay later than the first of September. Bones of 

 immense size were extremely abundant on the soil around the ancient village sites. At Attu 

 S. Mis. 155 12 



