36 BRITISH COLUMBIA.

In deeper water weirs were constructed of basket-work with round openings
at intervals, to which a passage-way was formed by pointed converging sticks.
Forcing his way through these passage-ways the salmon was trapped in the basket
to which they led.

A globular fish-trap weighted with stones, baited with crushed shell-fish, and
lowered to the sea-bottom was in use for certain kinds of rock-cod.

A curious implement was devised by the Nootka for collecting the ‘‘ Haiaqua’
or “ money shells’ from the fiords of the West Coast, which had to be secured
alive or immediately after death in order to be both bright in colour and perfect
in shape. ‘The operation of collecting was laborious. “The implement consisted
of a cylindrical brush-like arrangement of pointed sticks of hardhack. The long
lashing held by the fisherman was secured to a stick in the centre of this brush to
which two stone sinkers were firmly attached towards the lower end. The
weighted brush was raised up and down by joining additional sticks to that which
formed the handle and carried the brush, which thus alternately rested on or was
raised from the sandy bottom. When withdrawn at intervals from the water a
few shells would be found caught in the bristles.

)

METHODS EMPLOYED TO SECURE ANIMALS AND BIRDS.

Bows and arrows were, of course, in use, especially by such keen hunters as
the Kootenay tribe. “The tribes of Athapaskan origin employed this method for
shooting moose and caribou as they swam from one river-bank or headland to
another. The Nootka also resorted to it for killing the black-tailed deer as they
drove them into bays or fiords. _Mountain-goats, on the other hand, were run
by dogs and, when cornered, captured by dropping a noose over their heads. By
this means their valuable wool was uninjured by bloodshed.

Decoys were used for birds, and large nets suspended between high poles
were in use on parts of Vancouver Island for the capture of migrating birds.

All the tribes were skilled trappers and employed several kinds of traps and
snares. “The Carriers, for example, constructed at least four varieties of dead-
falls worked by triggers. “The Haida made a bear-noose of cordage covered with
split spruce root, which, used in conjunction with a springy sapling, strangled the
animal. Weight traps, or “ deadfalls,’ were widely used by the tribes of the
Interior for black bears, lynx, land-otter, and beaver. ‘They also set nooses in
trails where there was a sheer wall above and below, compelling the animal to
step into the trap.

Where bows and arrows were employed in hunting, they corresponded in all
respects with those used as weapons.

METHODS OF WARFARE AND WEAPONS.

Ambush and surprise, hand-to-hand fighting, and superior numbers were
accepted conditions of primitive warfare; facts which obviously influenced the
weapons in use. Reliance was also placed upon various means of shocking the
enemy, such as painting the body and face. Hideous masks, carved helmets, and
body armour, carried in war canoes, were assumed on sight of the enemy and
accompanied by songs of contempt, menacing gestures, and arrogant speeches.
Victors always decapitated their victims in addition to the custom of scalping;
scalps being the perquisite of the shamans who accompanied the warriors. No
mercy was shown to women and children, who were carried off as slaves if they
escaped death.

Spears, war-clubs, and daggers were relied upon for attack and defence,
though bows and arrows played their part.