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trees, and between these stretches of grass are fine belts of full grown hard-wood, free of underwood, and the resort of large herds of deer; whilst the banks of the streams, clothed as they are with willows, can be traced in their wanderings for many miles. In the autumn the golden yellow of the ripened grass, the varied tints of the foliage in the plain and the sparkle of the waters, all combine to produce a glowing picture which is framed in the russet and purple tints of the surrounding mountain ranges. Above is a sky of azure, the sun is brilliant and warm, and the stillness is only broken by the murmur of some distant rapid. 93 Ainos are the sole population of this plain, thousands of deer graze in its rich pastures, while bears and wolves, besides smaller game, prowl almost undisturbed. U-petzū is about 85 miles from the source of the river and consists of 4 Aino huts; 19 huts are scattered between this place and Kami kawa which is 15 miles distant, total 23 huts and 93 persons.
The Ainos have constructed fish traps which extend across the main river and also close the various tributaries. These traps are made of stakes and fascine work in the form of an arrowhead, the point up stream, and at the apex is a large cage with a platform on top. The fish enter the cage and are then speared by men stationed on the platform.
Fortunately for the salmon the freshets bring down driftwood which soon tears a passage through the barriers and puts a stop to the fishing for a day or two, and salmon in the upper waters move up mostly during freshets, as only then do they find water enough to take them over the difficult rapids.
Kami kawa consists of a godown 15ft. by 9, built 14 years ago by the Governor of Matsumai, one ruined Japanese hut and 3 or 4 Aino huts which are in the vicinity The godown originally stood on the bank of a river, but the river has made a new channel and the dry bed of the old one is now covered with a three years growth of osiers. In the godown, Government keeps a stock of tools and implements for trade purposes.
