Seventh Annual Report Part 50

2. Gum; chiefly used to cover seams of birch-bark canoes. The gum is obtained by cutting a circular band of bark from the trunk, upon which it is then sc.r.a.ped and boiled down to proper consistence.

The boiling was formerly done in clay vessels.

_Pinus resinosa_, Ait. Red Pine; usually, though erroneously, termed Norway Pine. Pokgwenagemok.

Used as the preceding.

_Abies balsamea_, Marshall. Balsam Fir. Ininandok.

1. The bark is sc.r.a.ped from the trunk and a decoction thereof is used to induce diaph.o.r.esis.

2. The gum, which is obtained from the vesicles upon the bark, and also by skimming it from the surface of the water in which the crushed bark is boiled, is carried in small vessels and taken internally as a remedy for gonorrhoea and for soreness of the chest resulting from colds.

3. Applied externally to sores and cuts.

_Abies alba_, Michx. White Spruce. Sessegndok. The split roots--wadob-are used for sewing; the wood for the inside timbers of canoes.

_Abies nigra_, Poir. Black Spruce. Amikwandok.

1. The leaves and crushed bark are used to make a decoction, and sometimes taken as a subst.i.tute in the absence of pines.

2. Wood used in manufacture of spear handles.

_Abies Canadensis_, Michx. Hemlock. Gagainwunsh-- Raven Tree.

Outer bark powdered and crushed and taken internally for the cure of diarrhea. Usually mixed with other plants not named.

_Larix Americana_, Michx. Tamarack. Moshkikiwadik.

1. Crushed leaves and bark used as Pinus strobus.

2. Gum used in mending boats.

3. Bark used for covering wigiwams.

_Cupressus thyoides_, L. White Cedar. Gizhik-- Day.

1. Leaves crushed and used as Pinus strobus. The greater the variety of leaves of conifer the better. The spines of the leaves exert their p.r.i.c.kly influence through the vapor upon the demons possessing the patients body.

2. The timber in various forms is used in the construction of canoe and lodge frames, the bark being frequently employed in roofing habitations.

_Juniperus Virginiana_, L. Red Cedar. Muskwawak.

Bruised leaves and berries are used internally to remove headache.

_Quercus alba_, L. White Oak. Mitigomish.

1. The bark of the root and the inner bark sc.r.a.ped from the trunk is boiled and the decoction used internally for diarrhea.

2. Acorns eaten raw by children, and boiled or dried by adults.

_Quercus rubra_, L. Red Oak. Wisugemitigomish-- Bitter Acorn Tree.

Has been used as a subst.i.tute for Q. alba.

_Acer saccharinum_, w.a.n.g. Sugar Maple. Innintik.

1. Decoction of the inner bark is used for diarrhea.

2. The sap boiled in making sirup and sugar.

3. The wood valued for making arrow shafts.

_Acer nigrum_, Michx. Black Sugar Maple. Iskigomeaush-- Sap-flows-fast.

Arbor liquore abundans, ex quo liquor tanquam urina vehementer projicitur.

Sometimes used as the preceding.

_Betula excelsa_, Ait. Yellow Birch. Winnissik.

The inner bark is sc.r.a.ped off, mixed with that of the Acer saccharinum, and the decoction taken as a diuretic.

_Betula papyracea_, Ait. White Birch. Wigwas.

Highly esteemed, and employed for making records, canoes, syrup-pans, mokoks--or sugar boxes--etc. The record of the Midewiwin, given by Minabozho, was drawn upon this kind of bark.

_Populus monilifera_, Ait. Cottonwood. Mnsti.

The cotton down is applied to open sores as an absorbent.

_Populus balsamifera_, L. Balsam Poplar. Asadi.

1. The bark is peeled from the branches and the gum collected and eaten.

2. Poles are used in building ordinary shelter lodges, and particularly for the Midewign.

_Juglans nigra_, L. Black Walnut. Paganok-- Nut wood.

Walnuts are highly prized; the green rind of the unripe fruit is sometimes employed in staining or dyeing.

_Smilacina racemosa_, Desf. False Spikenard. Kinebigwoshk-- Snake weed or Snake Vine.

1. Warm decoction of leaves used by lying-in women.

2. The roots are placed upon a red-hot stone, the patient, with a blanket thrown over his head, inhaling the fumes, to relieve headache.

3. Fresh leaves are crushed and applied to cuts to stop bleeding.