1916] THE WINTER OF 1915-16 217 



the killing-iron, the reindeer, or caribou, had a chance 

 for his life; but since the advent of the modern high- 

 powered rifle the species has decreased rapidly in num- 

 bers. At one time 16,000 skins were exported annually 

 from the royal trading-stations of Greenland; at the 

 present time hardly a skin leaves the country. 



An interesting belief exists among the Eskimos of 

 Baffin Land in regard to an albino caribou. This cari- 

 bou, supposed to have been hatched from a white egg 

 somewhat larger than that of a goose, must never be 

 killed, for death to the hunter would follow unless cer- 

 tain penalties, imposed in violation of the taboo, were 

 suffered for one year. For example: (1) he must not 

 work an iron; (2) the hood of the coat must be worn 

 over the head; (3) he must wear a belt; (4) blood must 

 not be removed from the clothing. If these customs 

 are not observed, the offender will be covered with boils 

 and will certainly die. If, on the other hand, nothing 

 is done to displease a caribou, the man will become a 

 great angakok, a shaman, or medicine-man. 



News reached us by dog-team on February 15th of 

 the departure of the mail-teams southward bearing Tan- 

 quary, Allen, and Green back to civilization; and of the 

 expected physical breakdown of Doctor Hovey, which 

 had compelled him to return to the ship. He was game 

 to the last, and did not give up until he had convinced 

 himself that it could not be done. 



On Washington's Birthday we were off to the south, 

 our impatient and well-rested dogs almost uncontrollable, 

 and covering the distance between our lodge and Port 

 Foulke, Hayes's winter quarters, within a few minutes. 

 Again, as in the past, my impetuosity nearly cost me my 

 life. My dogs, leading by 200 yards, dashed south- 



