324 
ZOOLOGY. 
" It is this salmon which forms the main subsistence of the numerous hordes of Indians who live 
upon the banks of the Columbia, and it is known by the name of quinnat for one hundred and 
fifty miles from the mouth of the river. It attains a large size, Aveighing often from thirty to 
forty pounds." 
Lewis and Clark seem to have confounded the present species and the S. Gairdneri. They say: 
"The common salmon are usually the largest, and Aveigh from five to fifteen pounds. They 
extend themselves into all the rivers and little creeks of this side of the continent, and to them 
the natives are much indebted for subsistence. They begin to run early in May. They are 
never caught Avith the hook, and Ave do not know on Avhat they feed." * ^' " The 
flesh of this fish, Avlien in good order, is of a deep flesh-colored red, and every shade from that 
to orange yellow; Avhen very meagre it is almost Avhite. The roes are in high estimation among 
the natives, Avho dry them in the sun, and preserve them for a great length of time; they are of 
the size of a small pea, nearly transparent, and of a reddish yellow cast. They resemble very 
much, at a little distance, our common garden currants, but are more yellow." 
The same travellers give an interesting account, in detail, of the manner in Avhich the Indians, 
at that time, preserved the salmon for subsequent use, by drying it as in the manner already 
prescribed, and then, pounding it fine and packing in baskets, it is covered and " stacked" for 
use.* 
A fish called by the Nisquallies the ^ '■ satsiq-)," corresponding in many particulars to the S. 
quinnat, ascends the tributary streams of Puget Sound at the same time that the quinnat does 
the Columbia. I have obtained no specimens of this. It is said to be a fine red-fleshed fish, of 
good flaA^or, and handsome general appearance. 
Another salmon described by the Indians, as different only in size, ascends a fcAv particular 
streams, and is very large. One of the localities Avhere this fish is taken abundantly is at the 
fishery on Black river, a branch of the Dwamish. The species is called by the Nisquallies To- 
o-odlt, or To-icalt, (Gibbs,) when fresh, and Yo-JiC, or Yo-eJc, Avhen exhausted. The fresh run 
have a similar name applied to them by the Skadgetts, but are called Skole-Jcum when Avorn out 
and emaciated. 
If identical Avitli the spring salmon of the Columbia, I am inclined to think that the kind first 
mentioned as running up the affluents of Puget Sound Avill be found to be the S. Gairdneri, 
and that the large ^'■toicalt" Avill prove to be the S. quinnat. (Regarding the to2vaU, see other 
remarks under head of S. confiuentus.) 
Two imperfectly preserved skins of the >S'. quinnat are noAv contained in the Smithsonian 
collection. They were obtained from Mr. James Wayne, of Astoria, Oregon, and Avere, Avhen 
fresh, AA'ithout doubt, good specimens of the present species. For interesting notes on the 
species, see beyond, under the head of General Bemarks, the information communicated by 
Angus McDonald, esq.t 
Aq extract from Lewis and Clark's Journal, describing ihis, is contained in Eicn. F. B. A. Fishes, p. 218. 
f Skins stuffed in as nearly natural sliape as possible, and then varnished, would be highly desirable in our national collection. 
Labels giving the date of capture, Indian names, and sex, would add greatly to their value. Mr. Wayne's specimens, rough- 
dried as they were, have been, nevertheless, of the greatest advantage in studying the collection, as they have enabled us to 
decide with accuracy their identity with Richardson's species, and have formed a stand-point for studying the other kinds. 
