Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-08-09

in fact SO plenty were they, that in
stead of being rs Suckley says "very
rare," have seen the water apparent
ly alive with them particularly off San
Juan or Patchina harbor, nearly oppo-
site Nceah Bay. Either DR.. Suckley
was most grossly misinformed, or else
as I before remarked, sharks have
swarmed in these waters since his ob-
servations were made. The Indians
seldom capture them, for. although
their livers make large amount of oil,
they are difficult and dangerous Gus
toners to attack in canoes.
SQUID SEPIA.-TE-THLopE.
This species of cutie fish is common
in the waters of Fuca straits, and is
used by the Indians both for food and
as bait for halibut. It is taken usually
at low water BY means of long slender
sticks with q barb on the end. This
is thrust under the rocks, and where
ever squid happens to be concealed
it seizes hold Of tire. stick with its long
arms, and is drawn out from it's hiding
place by the Indian and transfixed with
the barbed stick. When dead, tho
squid presents disgusting looking
mass of jelly like substance, but this
when boiled becomes firm white meat,
somewhat tough, but resembling lob
ster or crawfsh meat both in appear
ancc and flavor. 1t makes nice salad
with lettuce. Sometimes the Indians
catch squid in deep water while fishing
Cor halibut. Coopcra,id Suckley make
no mention Of this auimal in their re-
port.
WnALEs.-CHETAPooE.
The Indian names of the various
whales and porpoises that furnish oil
to the Macahs are as follows: Sperm
Whale, Koatskay, very rarely seen;
California Grey, Sc whow, or che che
wild; Right whale, Yach yo baldie;
Finback, Kow wild; Blackfish, Clas
ko kopphr; Sulphur-bottom, qua quow
yak thle. These whales arc taken at
different seasons of the year, some are
killed by the Indians, others, including
the large ones, drift ashore having been
killed by whalemen, swordfish, or other
casualties. Their oil forms one Of tho
principal articles Of diet, and with the
blubbcr, is very highly esteemed for
food. The surplus oil is usually sold
to other tribes who use it for eating, as
we use butter, sweet oil, or lard. The
oil sold to the whites is almost invaria-
bly, dog-tish or shark oil.
The other animals that proceed front
the sea are the porpoise, arich pethl;
putting pig, Isailth ko; white fin por-
poise, quar- quartle; large hair seal,
arkar waddish; small hair seal, kars-
chowe; fur seal, kai-thlad- dose; and
otter, tee juck.
The skin of the hair seal is invaria.
bly, taken off whole, and blown up hair
side in, and used as buoys for fioating
their whale gear. The skins Of tho
others are traded with the whites. Sea
offers are very rarely killed at the
Cape. They are more plentiful, how.
ever, farther south. and q few are killed
every year at Point Grenville by tho
Queniult Indians.
The names of the varieties Of whale
were mostly given me by description
I have seen only one or two varieties
that the Indians had taken, consequent
ly I may have mistaken the Indian
nance for those that I have not SEEM
Besides the few fish that I have named
there is variety Of smaller ones, prin-
cipally perch, but space will not psrmit
my giving a more detailed description
Drawings and specimens have becn tor
warded by me to the Smithsonian In-
stitution, and full descriptions will be'
found in the future reports Of Professor
Baird. J. g. &.