322 
ZOOLOGY. 
(See Brevoort’s work above quoted, p. 23.) The S. quinnat , according to Gairdner, has the 
spots differently shaped. In a memorandum furnished me by George Gibbs, esq., he says that 
in a visit to Chinook, near the mouth of the Columbia, he saw 1 ‘ the true spring salmon ©f the 
Columbia. Speckled on back, fins, and tail, with lialf-moon spots. Tan in large specimens not 
always spotted. Tail forked. ” * 
The quinnat is designated by Lewis and Clark as the “ common salmon” of the Columbia. 
It was first scientifically described by Sir John Richardson from specimens and notes obtained 
from Dr. Gairdner, who was then (about the year 1835) living at the trading post of the Hon. 
Hudson Bay Company, situated on the right bank of the Columbia, nearly opposite the mouth 
of the Willamette river, about one hundred miles from the ocean, then and still known as Port 
Vancouver. While stationed as surgeon at that important point, Dr. Gairdner, in a most 
praiseworthy manner, busied himself actively in studying the natural history of the region, 
and, in connexion with the labors of Tolmie, Townsend, Nuttall, and Douglass, in the field , and 
of Richardson, Hooker, Audubon, and Bachman, in the study , presented to the public almost 
all that was known to naturalists of that remote portion of the world up to the period when the 
late scientific explorations were undertaken under the auspice's of our government. 
This salmon is, perhaps, the finest of all that enter the rivers and inlets of our Pacific 
possessions. The adults are readily recognized by the settlers from their great size and their 
large, deeply-forked tails. When fresh from the sea they are in superb condition for the table, 
equal, in our estimation, to the best English or Scotch salmon. The co or of the flesh is of the 
richest “salmon red.” The general external appearance of the fish presents very bright silvery 
reflections. They first arrive in the Columbia river during the month of April—the periodical 
advents usually varying but a few days. Lewis and Clark speak of their first arrival at the 
Skilloot village, below the site of Fort Vancouver, on the 18th of April, 1806, and at the 
Dalles, (two hundred miles above the mouth of the Columbia,) in the year 1807, on the 19th 
of April. Major G. J. Rains, United States army, noticed them at the latter place, in 1854, 
on the 28th of April, and I myself saw the first of the season in 1855, April 11. George 
Gibbs, esq., in MSS. notes informs me that in 1853 the same species were “in season” at the 
mouth of the Columbia on the 20th of April. 
The quinnat, in an economical point of view, is by far the most valuable salmon of any 
species found in Oregon. The extreme richness and delicacy of its flesh cause it to be much 
preferred for salting; and were it not for the hitherto high prices of labor, barrels and salt, it 
would have ere this been found a staple article of export from the Columbia.t In numbers, 
they seem to be inexhaustible, and are readily taken in nets and otherwise. During the ‘ 1 season” 
they are so abundantly taken at the rapids near the Dalles that, notwithstanding the high 
rates at which most articles of domestic consumption are sold, I have frequently purchased 
noble specimens of this fish, weighing 20 pounds or more, each, for the small price of a quarter 
of a dollar! The Indians on the Columbia take immense numbers, eating what they need while 
fresh, and drying thousands for winter consumption or for trade. The principal method of 
capture employed at the Dalles is by “scooping” at random in the rapid water as it passes a 
* 1 do not consider that the absence of spots on the body is of much value as a specific character in all cases. But where they 
occur I think that their arrangement and shape is of great importance. The unspotted individuals are, perhaps, in some 
instances, simply the representatives of albinoes in birds and quadrupeds. 
f For further particulars concerning this subject, see “ General Remarks.” 
