See quot. 1838.
1837. The Indians come in summer time to dig the camash root.—W. Irving, ‘Capt. Bonneville,’ ii. 221. (N.E.D.)
1838. We found there lodges of Nez Percés who were out on a hunt for deer, and whose women were gathering cammas roots. This root in some degree resembles in taste and nutritive properties the sweet potato, and constitutes a large item of food of the Indians throughout a considerable section of country this side Salmon river and Salmon river mountains.—Samuel Parker, ‘Tour,’ p. 120 (Ithaca, N.Y.).
1839. [He] bought of them a small quantity of dried salmon, and a little fermented kamas or quamash root.—J. K. Townsend, ‘Narrative,’ p. 124 (Phila.). See also p. 126.
1845. There is a root here found in great abundance, and known as the camas, which is held in high repute by the Indians for some medicinal qualities it is thought to possess.—Joel Palmer, ‘Journal, p. 53 (Cincinn., 1847). (Italics in the original.)
