22 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
to Captain’s Harbor, or some other favorite ground, generally satisfies the immediate 
demands. 
Preparation of uJcali . — On the beach, at the head of Captain’s Harbor, the prepara- 
tion of ukali was observed. When the seine is hauled the salmon are at once killed 
by breaking the backbone just back of the head, to prevent their thrashing around 
and becoming injured or covered with dirt. The Indians then proceed to split them, 
holding the fish by the gills in the left hand. A long sharp knife is inserted just below 
the nape-bone, and drawn thence close along by the backbone to within about 2 inches 
of tlie tail. Eeversiug the fish, the same cut is made on the other side, and a final 
stroke of the knife severs the backbone close to the tail, thereby detaching the edible 
portions from the head, bones, and viscera. The two slivers being connected at the 
tail may then be thrown over a line or frame to dry. In dry weatlier the slivers are 
cut apart and the curing is done upon flakes similar to those used for cod. 
At the time of the Albatrosses visit the Aleuts were engaged in catching and dry- 
ing the salmon in this manner in considerable numbers The drying frames were 
usually protected by a grass-thatched roof. When not so protected it is the custom 
to bunch the fish together upon the poles at night and cover them with canvas, or take 
them indoors. 
Advantages of UnalashJca for the establishment of fishing stations . — Many places in 
the neighborhood ofUnalashkaare well suited to the construction of buildings, wharves, 
marine railways, weirs, and other structures necessary to the formation of a fishing 
station. The numerous bays and other indentations of the coast, as well as the nar- 
row passage ways between the islands, afford convenient shelter to vessels during 
stormy weather, and the nearness of the island to the fishing grounds, both north and 
south of the Aleutian Chain, specially adapts it as a fishing center. Should the climate 
prove too damp for the thorough drying of the fish, they could be landed here from 
the fishing vessels, and after being partly cured could be carried to Puget Sound or 
San Francisco for final treatment. 
Favorable grounds for planting lobsters . — The sea-bottom in this region appears to 
be exceedingly well suited to the habits of the Atlantic coast lobster, and it is i^rob- 
able that they would live and multiply if a colony were once established here. They 
would find amiile protection and an abundance of food in the many coves and among 
the rocks and islands with which the region abounds. 
6. NOTES ON THE COD FISHERY OF BERING SEA. 
While at Humboldt Harbor, Shumagin Islands, the schooner Arago, owned by 
Lynde & Hough, of San Francisco, arrived in port from a cod-fishing trip in Bering 
Sea with a fare of 103,000 cod. She had been absent from San Francisco since April 
12, began fishing May 18, and left the grounds July 12. The Arago is of 176 tons 
burden and carries twenty-one men and twelve dories. She is greatly inferior in type 
to the poorer class of off-shore fishing vessels on the eastern coast, and would not 
command a crew from Gloucester or Portland. She is thirty years old and was built 
at Goose Bay, Cal. The floor timbers used in her construction were taken from an 
English bark which was wrecked at that place. 
Fo trawling is done in Bering Sea, ‘‘dory lishiug” being the only method followed. 
During the season of 1887 the schooner Constitution tried trawl fishing, but soon aban- 
