JADE

Stoney, before referred to, solved the
problem of the origin of the abundance of
nephrite implements scattered along Ber-
ing sea and the Arctic shores. This iso-
lated range, some thirty miles in extent,
well above the Arctic circle, between the
Kowak and Noatak rivers, 130 miles inland
from Kotzebue sound, is partly described
by Assistant Engineer S. B. McLenegan‘ in
the following terms:

On the eastern end of the range there are

clifisofserpentinerock. ... . . Among the
river natives were found two or three axes of this
material. . . . . Near the western end

we found quantities of a light-green rock. This
is very hard and compact, and bears no resem-
blance to the serpentine formation. . ee
The stone is possibly an imperfect nephrite.
The latter is never found in quantities, generally
in ‘pockets’ only—although nothing of the
kind came under our observation. Nephrite
was undoubtedly obtained in these mountains.
The exact place, however, is unknown to the
present generation of natives. . . . . It
appears that these mountains have never been
visited by the natives. There are many
superstitions connected with them.

The fear that must have been inherited
through generations might indicate that

INDIANNOTES