HOW A SNOW HOUSE IS BUILT 199 



It was much more interesting to us to find, that among 

 this disorder there were some fresh salmon ; since, when 

 they could find this fish, we were sure that it would also 

 furnish us with supplies which we could not too much 

 multiply. On inquiry, we were informed that they 

 were abundant ; and we had, therefore, the prospect of 

 a new amusement, as well as of a valuable market at 

 the mere price of our labour." 



A few weeks later Ross was to see how these houses 

 were built. " Four families," he says, " comprising 

 fifteen persons, passed the ship to erect new huts about 

 half a mile to the southward. They had four heavy- 

 laden sledges, drawn each by two or three dogs, but 

 proceeded very slowly. We went after them to see 

 the process of building the snow house, and were sur- 

 prised at their dexterity ; one man having closed in his 

 roof within forty-five minutes. A tent is scarcely 

 pitched sooner than a house is here built. The whole 

 process is worth describing. Having ascertained, by 

 the rod used in examining seal holes, whether the snow 

 is sufficiently deep and solid, they level the intended 

 spot by a wooden shovel, leaving beneath a solid mass 

 of snow not less than three feet thick. Commencing 

 then in the centre of the intended circle, which is ten 

 feet or more in diameter, different wedge-shaped blocks 

 are cut out, about two feet long, and a foot thick at the 

 outer part ; then trimming them accurately by the 

 knife, they proceed upwards until the courses, gradually 

 inclining inwards, terminate in a perfect dome. The 

 door being cut out from the inside before it is quite 

 closed serves to supply the upper materials. In the 

 meantime the women are employed in stuffing the joints 



