GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS. 8-43 



PICTOGRAPHS OF DOMESTIC AVOCATIONS. 



The greater number of the records appear to come under this general 

 caption, together with which some liunting scenes are included. The 

 various forms of habitations used by the Eskimo are also here referred 

 to, rather than in the previous chapters in connection with the geo- 

 grax)hic location and environment of the several subtribes or settle- 

 ments, because comiiarisons may here be made between^ the forms or 

 outlines of houses, sledges, and possibly also canoes, to show the 

 degree of fidelity of reproduction of specific i)eculiarities of either of 

 the last named. 



HABITATIONS AND CONVEYANCE. 



In his reference to the dwellings of the Eskimo generallj^ Mr. 

 Petroft'^ speaks of the winter and summer habitations as being (piite 

 distinct from one another. The former being underground to a cer- 

 tain extent, having a mound- shaped appear- 

 ance with a ridge projecting for some distance, 

 beneath which is the entrance, is closely imi- 

 tated in the pictographs by the natives. The 

 smoke holes are in the top of the dome, or near 

 the center, for the escape of the smoke. The 

 common houses, on the other hand, are inclosed Fig. 49. 



above ground, and partake of the nature of a nwELLma from cHurKCHE year 

 log structure covered with skins, and some 



times of an ordinary tent-shaped shelter. The fire is built not within 

 the tent, but before the entrance. This feature is also carefully observed 

 in the etchings made by the native artist, and numerous examples are 

 given in illustration thereof. 



A larger building, known as the kashqa, is found in almost every 

 village, built after the pattern of the winter habitation. A raised 

 platform runs all around the interior for seating the visitors, and on 

 some of the larger kashqas several such tiers have been observed. 

 These structures are generally used lor ceremonial observances. An 

 illustration of the ground plan of such an inclosure, made by a native, 

 is rex)roduced in fig. 49. 



In fig. 49 is the outline of a dwelling reproduced from plate 81, 

 which constitutes a Chuckche "year record." The original was obtained 

 by Baron ISTordenskiold in Siberia, and is now in the possession of a 

 gentleman in England. The pictographs were drawn upon a piece of 

 walrus hide. 



In the interior, at the left, is shown the ridge intended for seats or 

 sleeping places. The occupant seated upon it appears to be gesticu- 

 lating and in conversation with his comijanions. 



A similar drawing in fig. 50 shows this seat also. This sketch is 



' Teuth Census of the United States, VIII, p.l28. 



