752 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895. 



sufficiently true to nature to admit of ready identification. The imita- 

 tion of the specific construction of the kaiak and the umiak is usually 

 excellent, as also the various forms of dog sledges peculiar to certain 

 localities in Alaska and faithfully represented in a number of etchings. 

 For the purpose of further comparison between the Eskimo portrayal 

 and the manufactured vehicle, several illustrations of the latter are 

 reproduced in figures. 



The Eskimo is not an expert in portraying the human form. It is 

 certain that in various instances man is indicated by linear outlines or 

 incisions very much in imitation of that of the Shoshonian tribes, the 

 head being a mere circular spot, from which is suspended a line ter- 

 minating below in two legs, and beneath the head being attached two 

 lateral lines for arms. These extremities may be drawn in various 

 attitudes, but apart from the attitude no further notice would be given 

 to them. This forms a marked contrast as compared with the same 

 idea as portrayed by various Algonkian tribes, notably so the OJibwa, 

 who devote much artistic attention to the head, dress, and ornaments 

 of the character intended to represent a human being. 



The peculiarity of Eskimo graphic art as compared with that of 

 other peoples will be treated of farther on. The subject forms the basis 

 of the present paper, and was made possible through the courtesy of 

 Doctor G. Brown Goode, Director in charge of the United States 

 National Museum, and my indebtedness to Professor O. T. Mason, 

 Curator of Ethnology, is hereby gratefully acknowledged for his val- 

 uable suggestions and for placing at my disposal every facility for the 

 careful examination of specimens in his custody, not all of which, how- 

 ever, were deemed of sufficient importance to illustrate, as such a pro- 

 cedure would have resulted in considerable duplication. 



THE ESKIMO. 

 GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. 



The Eskimauan, or Innuit,^ linguistic family occupies the greater 

 portion of the coast of Arctic America, Greenland, the Aleutian 

 Islands, and a small area of the Chukche Peninsida of Siberia. The 

 extreme points are about 3,200 miles apart, though to follow the shores 

 would necessitate a journey of 5,000 miles. 



The interior portions of the continent are occupied by various Indian 

 tribes, belonging to several conspicuous linguistic families, but the 

 Eskimo, under various designations, have always apparently confined 

 themselves to the seashore and the country adjacent thereto, not 

 exceeding 50 miles inland, except in following various river courses in. 

 pursuit of game. 



The easternmost branch of the Eskimo is that represented by natives 



' Although the term Innuit is frequently employed, and m.iy he linguistically 

 proper, the writer employs the more popular term, viz : Eskimo. 



