Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-13
NEW COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES
Prof. Coville's Discoveries Among the
Medoc Indians

That the civilized nations of the twentieth
century have something to learn from the
aboriginal races of several centuries ago Is
shown by the results of the trip of Prof
Frederick V. Coville, chief of the division
of botany of the Department of Agricul-
ture, who has just returned from an ex-
tended tour through the more remote re-
glons of Oregon. where he made a compre-
hensive investigation of the artistic and
utilitarian uses made by the Medoc Indians
of the flora of that section.
As has already been discovered by the
Smithsonian Institution, the Medocs a
branch of the klamath family, attained
comparatively high degree of ciyiliza ton
some three hundred years ago, and pro-
cured their fuel much of their food their
hbers and materials for their somewhat
extensive industries from the flora within
the limited region which they inhabited
With the advent of white men their re-
sources appear to have diminished. and
some of their methods will have to be num-
bered among the lost arts.
1t was, however, with the hope of obtain
Ing information Of commercial value that
Professor Coville undertook the investiga-
lions of the past summer. and the results
nave proved most satisfactory. A new and
delicious breakfast food, an extremely
valuable fiber and a permanent dye Of
Dtautliul nue. are among the productions
which 1t is predicted will be placed on the
q
From the seeds of a yellow water lily
the Medocs formerly supplied their need
Tor a cereal, and while in recent Years
wheat flour has largely supplied that de-
mand, the lily-seed cakes and porrldge are
sun made, and are regarded as a deICacy
Prof. Coville describes the dishes made
from these seeds. which are prepared by
parching, as possessing a delicate and at
tractlVe navor and great nutritive value.
From the tough skin of the urtica brewrrf
wild nettle, the Medocs have long pro-
cured a fiber which they spin and weave
into cloth and into fish nets which are
stronger and more durable than any row
or the market. This nettle can easily be
cultivated, and gives promise of furnishing
the indigenous fiber plant which the depart
ment mas long been seeking, and which will
supply the one important missing link in
that chain of production which will render
the United States completely independent
OF foreign agricultural products
The beautiful canary color -euuentIy seen
In Medoc basket work, and which has long
been the envy of civilized dyers is prepa red
from a yellow lichen. In addition to its
attractive tint, 1t is absolutely permanent
neither time nor weather serving to fade fr
The discovery of its source and method Of
production Is of great commercial value
In their use of native woods the Medocs
demonstrated knowledge of qualities and
discrimination in adaptability far beyond
that customary with us. A variety of
mountain mahogany Prof. Coyille predicts
VIII prove exceptionally useful in many in
dustries. so tough is 1t that In one instance
a farmer who had learned it's value from
the Indians used it to construct a pltman-
pox Tor his mower, and found it even more
durable that the babbit metal usually en-
ployed for that purpose. The Indians use II
Tor war and fish spears, arrow heads and
similar purposes. species of yew which
Is found high on the mountain sides was
used 10 construct the Medoc bows, some of
which are still preserved in the National
Museum. and which are of exceptionally
Springy character. In certain types OF ma
chinery this wood will fill an urgent de-
mRnd w