GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS. 



807 



Fis- 113. 



ALASKAX NOTICE OF DIRECTION. 



columu of smoke is seen arisino- from the middle elevation of the habi- 

 tation. 



At No. 4, food is seen suspended beneath the inverted boat, while 

 above it the harpoon is projecting, showing that the weapon is kept 

 near at hand for immediate use, should occasion demand it. 



The engraving in plate 70, fig. 4, presents interesting details in the 

 portrayal of various attitudes assumed by walrus Xos. 4, 7, 9 and 11, as 

 well as the specific difi'erence between 

 the canoes, the baidarka holding more 

 than one person, and the kaiak, gen- 

 erally, but for one i)erson. The former 

 is shown in various styles, as ISTos. ], 2, 

 and 3, while the latter is represented in 

 Nos. 0, 8, 10, 11', 13, and 14. The small 

 cross above No. 3 denotes a bird in 

 flight, as also the two figures of like 

 form above the seal at No. 7. A lai'ge 

 water fowl still remains upon the water 

 before the bow of the kaiak at No. 8. 



The hunter in the kaiak No. (5 has 

 thrown his harpoon into a walrus, while 

 the occupants of Nos. 10 and 12 have 



raised their weapons preparatory to throwing them. The elongated 

 objects i)rojecting from the kaiaks, behind the occupants, Nos. 10, 12, 

 and 13, are inflated seal skins used as floaters for the harpoon line, 

 to impede the speed of the harpooned animal, and also to jjrevent 

 its escape by remaining too long underwater or to 

 trace its course while there. 



TRAVEL AND GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. 



Locomotion by boat is graphically represented in 

 many records and by sledge in occasional instances. 

 Walking with the seal spear used as a cane is com- 

 mon, and in one exami)le age is also indicated by 

 the attitude of the bent body, a method of portray- 

 ing physical condition seldom found in Eskimo picto- 

 graphs, but of frequent occurrence in the records 

 of the Ojibwa and Dakota. 

 Fig. 113 is reproduced from a small slab of wood, 

 and is explained as follows: 



Seal hunters thus inform their comrades that they have returned 

 home : The first to return to the regular landing place sometimes sticks 

 a piece of wood into the ground leaning toward the village, upon which 

 is drawn or scratched the outline of a baidarka or canoe heading toward 

 one or more outlines or lodges, signifying that the occupants have gone 

 toward their houses. 



NAT MUS 95 57 



Fig. 114. 



ALASKAN NOTICE OF DI 

 RECTI ON. 



