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WINTUN SALMiON TAKING

B. B. Redding

The ingenuity displayed by the Wintoon Indians, of the McCloud,
in capturing salmon, shows a knowledge of some of the laws of physics

ardly to be expected from so primitive a people. Except when on their
pawning-beds, the salmon is so wary a fish that it cannot be approached
earer than thirty or forty feet. If a man's moving shadow falls on the
ater, all the salmon in the vicinity dart up stream.

These Indians, when the salmon are running, wade into the river
nd drive down two stakes in the form of St. Andrew's Cross. These are

astened together with willow withes. A couple of poles are now laid, ex-
ending from the shore, and resting in the arms of the cross. On these
oles, directly over the channel where the fish pass, a wicker structure
f willow is erected, in the form of a tall beehive. This is so closely
oven with branches and leaves as to shut out the light. It is open at

he bottom, which extends to within a few inches of the running water. It

s also an opening at the side nearest the shore sufficiently large to
dmit the head, shoulders, and arms of the Indian. A small hole is also

eft at the top, through which the shaft of the spear passes. Everything
eing ready, the Indian lies on the poles, his head and arms in the bee-

Lve, and the remainder of his body and his legs resting on the poles outside.
o light comes to his eyes except that coming up through the water. His

hole contrivance is, in fact, constructed upon the principle of the water-
elescope, and the same knowledge is displayed of the laws of light as is
de use in constructing a modern aquarium. The Indian can see to the

ottom of the stream, and all the fish that pass, while the fish cannot see
Lm. With his spear always poised, and ready for instant use, but few of

e unsuspecting salmon escape, that venture to pass beneath his structure.

The Ca lifornian, Novemlber, 1881.

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