Notes accompanying collection of useful plants made by W. J. Fisher at [Kodiak] in 1899

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Abstract

This field book contains a list of botanical specimens that includes the following information: local name, local uses (included medicinal, economic, and dietary uses), "Russ" (Russian name?), "Aleut" (Aleutian name?), and abundance / distribution. A note beneath the title on the title page reads: dried plants with Mr. Kearney, alcoholics in seed collection.

Date Range

1899

Start Date

1899

End Date

1899

Access Information

At least 24 hours advance notice is recommended to consult this collection. Contact the Department of Botany at 202-633-0920 to make an appointment.

Topic

  • Ethnobotany
  • Plants
  • Botany

Place

  • United States
  • Kodiak Island
  • Alaska

Form/Genre

  • Fieldbook record
  • Field notes

Accession #

SIA Acc. 12-038

Collection name

William J. Fisher field book

Physical Description

1 field book

Physical Location

National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Main Library

[[cover]] [[spine label]] Fisher, W. J. 1-48 1899 S.I. LIB [[/spine label]]
[[inside cover]] [[blank page]]
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] Notes accompanying collection of useful plants made by W. J. Fisher at Kodiak, in 1899. Dried plants with Mr. Kearney, alcoholics in seed collection.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 1 Russ. Garoch. Aleut. Used as food among the natives in those settlements where the plants are found in abundance. 2 Russ. {Palaisni trawa {Sickness grass Aleut. Kā-nā-năng-wăt. This name has been given to the plant because the "Evrashka" - Kā-nā-năk feeds largely upon this plant. All parts of the plant are used as a poulice in difft
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] skin diseases, ulcers, rheumatism; also as tea in all pulmonary complaints, colds, &c, to produce copious perspiration. The dried root and leaves are pulverized and sprinkled over obstinate ulcers. 3 Fritullaria kamschatkensis. Russ. Saranah Aleut. Lā-gĭt. Used as an article of food by natives. The bulbs are boiled, mashed and after a liberal supply of seal or whale oil has been thoroughly mixed therewith, it is put
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] away for winter's use. 4 Russ. Astra. Aleut. No medicinal properties. 5 Russ. {Egori koppio {Gregory's big knife Aleut. Ashĭchlīăchivăt [[curly bracket under Ashĭch indicating word means beautiful]] [[curly bracket under līăchivăt indicating word means flower]] beautiful flower A decoction made of the flowers or roots used as a gargle in sore throat. As a hot poultice applied to sore chest, and as a wash for sores.
[[Blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 6 No particular name. No medicinal properties. 7 No particular name or medicinal properties. 8 No medicinal properties and no specific name in either Russ. or Aleut.
[[Blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 9 no specific name or medicinal properties. 10 no specific name or medicinal properties. 11 Russ. {Shinritshi swietok {Everlasting flower no medicinal properties
[[Blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 12 Russ. Sholte gollowatshki [[curly bracket under Sholte indicating means yellow]] [[curly bracket under gollowatshki indicating means little head]] Yellow little head Little yellow head No medicial properties. 13 Russ. Makritsa. Weed No medicinal properties. 14 Plant entirely unknown by inhabitants. Seldom found. Found sparsely on hilly ground, single plants. Flowers blue - bell shaped. When walking near plant, say within one yard, the flowers will quickly close up and remain so.
[[Blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 15 No specific name and no medicinal properties. 16 Russ. Tillitake Aleut. Medicinal properties. In pulmonary ^ [[insertion]] diseases [[/insertion]] as tea in frequent doses. In sore throat as a gargle. In sore eyes as a wash. In diseases of the bladder and stoppage of urine a decoction is freely administered. In infusion for colds and coughs. The whole plant is used and a strong infusion is made which is extremely bitter.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 17 Russ. Tillitake Aleut. Used as a remedy for the same diseases as enumerated in No. 16, producing the same result. 18 Russ. Makritsa Used as a hot poultice in common boils, etc. 19 Chamomile Not indigenous. Introduced in late years.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 20 Russ. Muchina dohm Aleut. Ōkū - tĭm ĭngl wā. No medicinal properties. 21 Russ. Kallakoushicki Aleut. Kū-lāng ĭch wăt No medicinal properties. 22. Russ. Wassilitnik Aleut. ? Plant used as hot poultice to sore breast and bowel complaints applied to stomach.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 23 No specific name and no medicinal properties 24 Russ. Kaprae Aleut. Chĭl'kā kū dăk chil'kak - strong - Kudak, Basket Used as food. Flowers and leaves are boiled with fat and also with Fritularie Kamschat-kensis Cattle are also fond of the plant.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 25 No specific name and no medicinal properties. 26 No specific name. The whole plant is used both as a hot poultice or inwardly as tea in diseases of the womb. 27 Russ. Kriesina swetotshka Mice flowers. The roots of this plant are gathered by mice in the autumn to be consumed during the winter.
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28 No specific name. No medicinal properties. Small white or yellow flowers. 29 No specific name No medicinal properties. 30 Russ Astra Aleut. ? No medicinal properties.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 31 Russ. Tshurnie golowatshki Black Head Aleut. Mătjŭng-suīr-ĭln-gŭtt The whole plant boiled and the water used as a gargle for sore throat. 32 Strawberries Russ. Semlinika Aleut. Ăt-shā ăk Not plentiful.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 33 Russ. Kalina Aleut. Ā-măch-shăt Remedy for sore throat, either the raw berries or boiled with sugar added. For some purpose the outside bark of the plant is removed and the inner bark taken and boiled and freely drank. Plenty. 34 Russ. Costinika Aleut Mai-ŭch-wăk Plentiful Make a very fine jelly.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 35 Russ. Talaknanka Aleut. Ū-lī-ĭt Mixed with seal or whale oil and salmon spawn for winters preserves. Plentiful. These berries are gathered after frosts set in, when they assume a red color. 36 Cranberries Russ. Brussnika Aleut Knĭch-tat Mixed with seal or whale oil and salmon spawn for winter's preserves. Very plentiful.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 37 Cranberry sp. Russ. Klūk-wā Aleut. Pūht-wēi-ĭt Ripe after frosts set in. Made into preserves. Rather scarce. Grows in marshy lands. Plants have no leaves. Berries attached singly to black thread-like stems. 38 Russ. Varonitshi jagadie Aleut. Kŏv-lăt. Grows on hills in barren stony places. Not plentiful But little used by natives.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 39 Russ. Golovnika Aleut. Ishō-gat Plants from 3 to 5 inches high. Not very plentiful. Used in the raw state and as preserves, jellies, etc. 40 Russ. Malina Aleut. Ā-lăg-năt Plentiful. The Aleuts mash the berries [and] with the addition of seal or whale oil this mess is called "Ishī-dăk
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 40a No specific name. No medicinal properties. 41 Russ. Tshivinika. Aleut. Tshivā-wăt. Plentiful. Eat mostly raw with the addition of the usual allowance of seal or whale oil.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 42 Russ. Moroshka Aleut. Ā-găg-wĭt Plenty Made into jams and jellies. 43 Russ. Perdunzie Aleut. Lăch-[[superscript]] a [[/superscript]]nĭt Plenty When eat profusely is apt to produce a smart sailing breeze in the abdominal regions.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 44 Russ. Agurtzie Aleut. Kăkchlūrvŏt (shiny) Few. Found near creeks. Gathered when plant is young and leaves are tender. The leaves are put up in either salt or vinegar. They have a strong cucumber taste and smell.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 45 Russ. Knishinika Aleut. Pōijōcħoŭit Not plentiful. Our most esteemed berry. Makes delicious jelly. The Aleuts add a small portion of these berries to their preserved Saranas to impart to it the fragrance of these berries. On account of their infrequency these berries command at least quadruple the price of all other berries.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 46 Russ. Makarshi Aleut. Ăncħ[[superscript]] l [[/superscript]]g-ăt [[curved bracket underneath ħ[[superscript]] l [[/superscript]]g]] Ănch[[superscript]] l [[/superscript]]k means to disappear. Field mice gather these roots for their winter stores, but in Sept. the Aleuts dig them out & use them as food. The roots are boiled and have a sweet taste. Frequently several gallons of these roots are gathered from one cache.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 46a #16 Tillitaeke Dried plants.
[[blank page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 47 Ledum palustre L. Russ. Shickasnik Aleut. Ăt-tshăk-kudach-piet. Plant grows abundantly in swampy tundras covered with moss and sphagnum. The flower is white, stamens yellow, star-shaped. Used by the natives medicinally in the following complaints: 1. As a tea it is freely drank in alleviating the hacking cough of consumptives. 2. As a gargle in sore throat. 3. Administered as tea it is efficacious in relieving asthmatic complaints. The entire plant, roots, leaves and flowers, are used medicinally. The leaves are chewed also and give relief in asthmatic complaints.
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48 Aleut. Lā-kwăt Bears when sick or wounded eat these plants. Aleuts say that eating the plant will stop bleeding of the lungs.
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