214 THE LABRADOR PENINSULA. chap, xxxiv. 



seal during the summer months : its flesh is not un- 

 palatable, and it often forms the chief support of the 

 poor Montagnais and Micmacs during a large part of the 

 year. 



The seal is, ^^a?^ excellence^ the main stay of the Esqui- 

 maux. It is of the same importance to this singular 

 Uttoral people as the reindeer is to the Nasquapee or the 

 bison to the Sioux. The seal furnishes them with 

 clothes, with food, and with oil for their stone lamps. 



