The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-02
Our Northern Possessions.

Alaska, which has heretofore received
out little attention from either explorers
or government, promises in the near fu-
ture to develop into rich and thickly
populated country. Two argonauts who
spent the summer navigating that
largest and most majestic river on earth,
the Yukon, and exploring the country
along its banks from its mouth to several
hundred miles up stream. The explorers
have returned, and tell wonderful stories
of what they saw. Sweeping back from
the banks OF the river for miles and
miles were beautiful rolling prairies like
those of Eastern Oregon, whose waving
grasses had never been disturbed by the
foot of man; stately forests whose
branches sang requium to the dead 81
lence of nature never broken by the
hand of industry; clear, sparkling
streams leaping from rock to rock Just as
merrily as do those within the bounds of
civilization. In fact, they discovered
WONDERFUL COUNTRY,
Which, when further explored, reveal
much more that will be of interest and
of future value. DR.. Dali, of the
United States Coast Survey, together
with DR.. Bean, visited that country for
the purpose of making collections in
natural history, especially of fishes. In
a paper recently read they set forth their
observations as follows: In general
way the fishes were similar on the Asiat-
ic and American sides; but there were
some species only found on one shore.
They found quite number of Oregon
fish that attained a high latitude, several
found commonly in the market here, es-
pecially red cod, which was found con-
siderable distance north of Sitka. in
large quantities, and of a very good
quality.
ALASKAN SALMON.
They secured salmon not only for
specimens, but they formed large por-
ton of their food during the season.
There are q great variety of salmon
recognized on the coast of Alaska, and
the question arises in Oregon and Cali
fornia, how many of these are distinct
species, and how many are to be referred
to the very extraordinary changes which
have taken place in the salmon from the
time of leaving the sea till death ? Very
few of them ever return to the sea. In
California and Alaska he believed the
salmon, almost without exception, die
after depositing their spawn. They
found the Columbia river salmon ex-
tending through large part of Alaska,
when they came across Il peculiar fish
called the king salmon, which attains
an enormous size, reaching one hundred
pounds.
TROUT, GOLDFISH AND HALIBUT.
Then there are quite number of trout,
and near Sitka very large trout Is
caught, the size of salmon. On the Ash
attic side common brook trout were found
in the salt water. They paid particular
attention to the Goldfish and halibut, and
DR.. Bean became confident that the Pa
citic Coast Goldfish is the same as the At
lantic. and in the course of time would
become as valuable and importantant on
this coast as the Newfoundland fishes
are upon the Atlantic. They found some
very interesting specimens, and some
thought to belong to anew family.
ARCTIC BIRDS.
DR.. Bean collected large number of
specimens of birds. many o, which were
secured in more northern region than
the expedition mad reached previously,
as this year they went nearly to the lati
tude of Poin, Barrow While examin-
ing the collection of birds at Oxford,
several years ago, he came across a
peculiar bird, which belonged to Sir
John Barrow's collection. which WAS
marked from Behring Strait. 1t was q
small snipe about six inches long: but
the bill was extended in remarkable
manner, resembling the beak of the
spoon bill, and the bird presented very
peculiar appearance. This year they
looked very sharp for specimens of that
bird, and one of the natives succeeded
IN killing specimen. Afterward they
heard from Captain Barrow, the master
of the steam whaler Maria Helen that he
had observed the birds among others
brought aboard for food while at Point
Barrow some years ago.
CHANGES IN ALASKA ABoRIGlNES.
In Alaska a considerable change has
taken place. When he first visited the
country. sixteen years ago, the natives
were attired in clothes made 10y them
selves. and they used articles of their
own manufacture. Now it is quite diff
ferent, for they nearly all wear articles
of civilized make, such as shirts, caps
and trousers Their old implements are
becoming scarcer and scarcer. Much
damage has been done 10y foreign traders
and smugglers furnishing the Indians
with alcohol. Intoxicating liquor is eX-
ceedingly injurious to them, as, when
supplied with it, they neglect TO provide
themselves in summer with "A store of