ABORIGINAL LIFE OF THE SITKANS.               57
opened, of semi-rotten salmon-roe. Many of the Siwashes have a custom of collecting the ova, putting it into wooden boxes, and then burying it below high-water mark on the earthen fiats above. When decomposition has taken place to a great extent, and the mass has a most penetrating and far-reaching "funk," then it is ready to be eaten and made merry over. The box is usually uncovered without removing it from its buried position; the eager savages al squat around it, and eat the contents with every indication on their hard faces of keen gastronomic delight-faugh !
The same ill-favored and heartily-hated "dog-fish "* of our Cape Cod. fishermen is also very abundant in these far-away waters.
I_ He'_                   ?' ^ ) ]  r_ -a
Indians Raking Oolochans and Herring.-Stickeen River.
Recently, the demand created for its oil by the tanneries of Oregon and California has made its capture by the Indians an important source of revenue to them; the oil rendered from its liver is readily sold by them to the white traders, who also have established a fishery for the purpose on Prince of Wales Island. These tradersalso are making good use of herring-oil, which is to be secured here in unfailing, abundant supply, to any quantity required.
The most grateful condiment to the Sitkan palate is rancid fishoil, or oolachan "butter"-a semi-solid grease, with a fetid smell and taste; into this they always dip or rub their flakes of dried fish,
* Squaiu acanthuzs.
I.         - ' .-