FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1909. 53 
living on the islands eat them after steaming them in the shell, and 
report them as delicious. 
Oyster . — A native rock oyster has been reported from Sitka, Peril 
Straits, and the Skookum Chuck on the west side of Prince of Wales 
Island, in southeast Alaska, and Latouche Island, in Prince William 
Sound, in central Alaska. 
Abalone. — The abalone is found along the ocean side of the islands 
in southeast Alaska, but no use is made of it. 
Octopi. — Octopi are abundant in many sections and are eaten by 
the natives. A few of the crab fishermen of Wrangell expect next 
year to engage in the business of catching them with spear and hook 
and line baited with fish heads, clams, etc. They bring from 6 to 14 
cents per pound in the Seattle markets. 
Chiton. — A chiton ( Katherina tunicata Wood), known locally as 
the “ gum boot,” is found in southeast Alaska waters (observation 
would probably disclose that it is a resident of other sections of 
Alaska), where it is gathered and eaten by the natives. 
Sea urchin, — The sea urchin is very abundant along the Aleutian 
chain, and large numbers are consumed by the natives. 
Holothurians . — Beche-de-mer, trepang, or sea cucumbers, as they 
are known to the trade, are very abundant in southeast Alaska, but 
absolutely no use is made of them at present. They are especially 
abundant in the shallow water in May and J une. It is probable that 
nothing will be done with this product in Alaska until the supply 
from the South Seas falls off . 
Algce. — In April and May the Thlingits and Yakutats, and pos- 
sibly other tribes, gather an alga or seaweed (probably Porphyra 
laciniata) which they dry, press in boxes, and put away to be eaten 
later. In May the Kake tribe gather algae, and mixing it, when 
moist, with salt, compress it into cakes a foot square, and from one- 
fourth to one-half inch in thickness. In this condition it will keep 
for some time. The prepared product is used in making soups and 
for other culinary purposes. A small trade in these cakes is carried 
on with other villages. Certain species of algae are very nutritious, 
and it is probable that when their good qualities become better known 
the whites will seek them as a food product. 
THE WHALE FISHERY 
The whaling station of the Tyee Company, at Tyee, at the lower 
end of Admiralty Island, in southeast Alaska, which is the only shore 
whaling station in the United States where all parts of a whale are 
utilized, was operated more vigorously than ever this year. In 
addition to the steamer Tyee jr which was used in 1908, the gasoline 
