OF THE NORTH PACIFIC 37

This work claims to describe various aspects in the
life of the Haidas as it existed some forty years ago,
and the writer being a recognized authority on the
language of these people believes that his observations
may have considerable scientific value. It is not to
be inferred that an_ intensive anthropological and
ethnological survey by trained observers will not
bring fresh facts to light, and it is his hope that these
interesting people may receive careful study before it
is too late, for as Professor Boas states? there is much
that has hitherto baffled complete interpretation.

The word Haida is undoubtedly a corruption of the
words Ou Haadé. It is highly probable that when the
first navigators made them understand that they
wished to know the name of their tribe or nation, they
replied Ou Haadé, and this was eventually and easily
changed into Haida. Ou Haadé in their language

* Professor Franz Boas, the great American ethnologist, in his
illuminating paper in the Journal of the Anthropological
Institute, Vol. XL, 1910, page 534, writes: ‘‘ The fundamental
features of the material culture of the fishing tribes of the coast
of North-East Asia, North-West America and of the Arctic coast
of America are so much alike, that the assumption of an old
unity of this culture seems justifiable, particularly since the
beliefs and customs of these large continuous areas show many
similarities. .. . On this common basis a strongly individual-
ized culture has arisen on the coast of British Columbia,
particularly among the Haida, Zimshean and Kwakiulth, which
presents a number of most remarkable features, and is but
exemplified by the style of art in this tegion, that has no
parallel in any other part of our continent. At the same time

some of the customs and beliefs recall so strongly customs —

that are only found East of the Rocky Mountains and again
customs of the Melanesians, that a highly interesting and
difficult problem arises which has so far baffled a complete
interpretation notwithstanding the detailed investigations that
have been conducted.” See Appendix concerning measure-
ments of Haida crania by Professor Oetteking.