﻿346 ESKIMOS. 



earlier in more southern localities, they hunt the 

 rein-deer, which drop their young on the coasts 

 and islands while the snow is only partially melted. 

 Vast multitudes of swans, geese, and ducks, re- 

 sorting to the same quarters to breed, aid in sup- 

 plying the Eskimos with food during their short 

 but busy summer of two months. In the be- 

 ginning of September the rein-deer assemble in 

 large bands and commence their march southwards ; 

 and then the Eskimos reap a rich harvest by way- 

 laying them at established passes on the rivers or 

 narrow places of a lake. On parts of the coast 

 frequented by whales, the month of August is 

 devoted to the exciting pursuit of these animals, a 

 'successful chase ensuring a comfortable winter to 

 a whole community. Throughout the summer, the 

 families a,ssociated by twos and threes live in tents 

 of skins, and generally enjoy abundance of food, 

 while they carefully lay up what they cannot con- 

 sume for after use. In this respect they are more 

 provident than the Hare Indians, or Dog-ribs, who 

 seldom trouble themselves with storing up pro- 

 visions. This difference of the habits of the two 

 nations, which greatly influences their general cha- 

 racters, has perhaps originated in the different 

 circumstances in which they are placed. The 

 Eskimos, wintering on the coast, are in darkness 

 -at mid- winter : the rein-deer and musk-oxen have 



