Divisions.—a. Insular. 1. The Naspatle; 2. Proper Nutkans; 3. Tlaoquatsh; 4. Nittenat. b. Continental.—1. Klasset; 2. Klallems. General name for the language.—Wakash.
Such is the line of languages from Behring's Straits to the parts opposite Quadra and Vancouver's Island, as they are spoken along the sea-coast as far south as Frazer's River; concerning which it may also be predicated that they are spoken along the sea-coast almost exclusively—i.e. that none of them extends far inland.
Of those spoken inland, the distribution is very different. It is, at first, over large areas.
THE ATHABASKANS.
The geographical distribution of the Athabaskans should be studied along with that of the Eskimo; since, like this last, it has an east-and-west, or (if the expression may be allowed) a horizontal extension. It has, however, an extension from north to south, or what may be called a vertical one as well. As a general rule, the southern limit of the Eskimo is the northern limit of the Athabaskan area.
ATHABASKANS.
Area.—Discontinuous.
Divisions.—Northern and southern.