106 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OV ALASKA. 



fish are ascending they come iu contact with the net. Tbey either become entangled in the meshes 

 or else in their struggles the net becomes so wrapped around them that escape is impossible. They 

 are drawn to the surface and dispatched by a blow on the head. The fish is quickly put in the 

 canoe and the descent of the river is continued until the canoe is loaded. During the time when the 

 water in the river is muddy the fish cannot perceive the net at a great distance and rely on their 

 own strength to break through the barrier. In ascending the streams the fish keep near the shore 

 to avoid the strength of the current and also to feel the change of water which may issue from the 

 tributaries of the main stream. The natives then also catch many of the larger fish by means of 

 spears, to which a thong is attached so as to be able to withdraw the fish when struck. 



When the fish are to be prepared for drying, the head is first severed from the body, the belly 

 ripped open, the entrails and other inner parts are removed. The backbone is removed by a slit 

 lengthwise, dividing the ribs from.it, and then cutting down through the skin. The fish is then 

 left so that the two sides are attached only at the tail. These pieces are then thrown over a pole 

 or staging, with the flesh side out, so as to dry as rapidly as possible. Should the fish be large 

 several transverse incisions are made in the flesh to facilitate the process of drying. 



Among the Indians of the Yukon this species is prepared so as to make a first-rate grade of 

 iikali (the Russian word for all kinds of dried fish). The fish is carefully cleaned; the back bone 

 taken out with as many of the attached ribs as possible; in most instances, especially if the fish is 

 large, all the bones, except the fins, are carefully removed. The fish is hung up for several days, 

 until it has dried out to a certain degree. The fish are so full of oil that among those people who 

 have not the opportunity of procuring real oil, excepting what is brought to them by the Eskimo 

 for trade, wooden vessels are placed under the fish to obtain the oil as it drips from the fish 

 when drying- This oil is eaten as food, or is saved until winter to use in the lamps. After the oil 

 has dripped out and the fish is somewhat dried, the pieces are then separated and placed between 

 layers of birch bark, formed so that the pressure of the fish and weight of stones, put on the pile of 

 fish, squeezes out nearly all the oil in the flesh. This oil is also saved for use in the dwellings. The 

 fish, by this pressure, become very dry, yet not too much so. This process secures a first-rate article 

 of ulcali, which is much sought for by the traders. 



The inferior grades of dried fish are used as dog-feed. A fish which weighs, when fresh, about 

 60 pounds will make about 25 pounds of ukali. When the backbone is dried with the rest of the 

 body, it then forms three slices. This is done only with those fish which are of an inferior grade, 

 and are intended for dog-feed, though they are used by the natives as well. 



The exact localities where this species spawns was not determined to my satisfaction. They 

 have such an expanse of water to range over that among the numerous tributaries it would be a 

 very difficult matter to ascertain their spawning places. It is, doubtless, above Nulafo on the 

 Yukon River. The run of this species lasts in the Yukon for about twenty-five days, the best fish 

 being the first, while the last are weak and frequently immature fish. After spawning the fish be- 

 come exhausted, and are thrown on the beach in immense quantities. 



At the Kuskokvim River this species is not so plentiful as in either the Yukon or the Nusha- 

 gak River. On the north side of Aliaska the fish are most abundant in the rivers in the follow- 

 ing order; Yukon, Nushagak, Ugasik, Kuskokvim, and Kvi'cknk, the latter being the outlet of 

 Ilyamna Lake. 



North of Unalakhlit this species is not to be fouud in -considerable numbers, it being there 

 replaced by other species. 



Among the Aleutian Islands this species is not often obtained. It appears there to be a 

 mere straggler, and among the eastern islands of the chain not more than a couple of dozens are 

 taken in a year. I saw a fine female, which had spawned and had returned to the sea, taken at Una- 

 lashka, September 25, 1878. This individual weighed 38 pounds, and was in excellent condition 

 for the table. It was taken while seining for other species of salmon. 



At Atkha Island this species is occasionally taken in the early spring, but not inore than half 

 a dozen are yearly procured. 



At Attu they are rarely seen. But one was taken in 1879, and one in 1880. Both were taken 

 in the latter part of September. 



Great quantities of these fish are salted by the white people of the Saint Michael's district for 



