Wild tobacco is called Yahn-sĕch yah-we and Sĕch-yu. The pipe is straight and is called A-chah.
Hahwunkwut plant notes.—The Tree Maple (Acer macrophyllum) is called Chā´-she. Its inner bark is used for the ordinary everyday dress for women.
The Tanbark Oak is the dominant species in the northwest coast region and its acorns (Sohng´-cheng) are largely eaten by the people. Acorn meal before leaching is called Rut-ta-gaht. If it is allowed to become mouldy, the bitter taste disappears so that it does not have to be leached. Acorn bread cooked on hot ashes is called Seshl-te. The ordinary mush is called Ma-guts-kush.
Hahwunkwut animal notes.—The Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is called Ne´-ti-us ah´-nā. Its name is never mentioned in the presence of a baby. If the mother sees one before the baby is born, the baby will have fits and die.
The falcon or Duck Hawk (Tah´-tes) was a high personage among the First People. He won the first battle for the Indians, standing on the first Redwood Tree.
The California Condor (Tā-long-yi´-chah) is so big and powerful that he can lift a whale. His name shows this as it is from the name of the whale (Tā´-lah) and means "whale lifter."
The Dove (Sroo´-e-gun´-sah) cries for his grandmother, especially in the spring of the year.
The Purple Finch is called Klah´-nis-me´-tit-le, meaning "many brothers," because the birds go together in small flocks.
The Night Heron (Nah-gah´ che yahs´-se) is known as the "sickness bird."
Hahwunkwut pits for catching elk and deer.—The Smith River Hah-wun-kwut used to catch elk and deer in pits, called Song´-kit, dug in the ground along the runways. These pits differ materially from those of the Pit River Indians, being much shallower. No effort was made to make them deep enough to prevent the captured animals from jumping out, but an ingenious device was used to prevent them from jumping. The pits were only a little deeper than the length of the legs of the elk, but poles were placed across the top so that when the animal fell through, the body would rest on the poles so his feet could not touch the ground. This of course prevented him from jumping out.