104 ÏUENER ON THE INDIANS 



time. Haste is made on the return, for the snows may melt and the shore ice (for they 

 return by the coast route) break away and leave the sled on the bare earth. They strive to 

 reach certain fixed spots to which their comrades come, stopping at each until the lost are 

 found ; for the searchers are so weather-wise that they know pretty well where the absent 

 members have been detained. 



As there are many traits and customs common to each of these principal subdivisions 

 of the Ungava luuuit, a general consideration of those most characteristic will be deferred 

 to the last. 



The Sukhinimyut. — The Innuit included by this term are those dwelling along the 

 south side of Hudson Strait, from longitude 68° west to Cape Chidley, and thence south 

 along the Labrador coast to Hamilton Inlet. Those who dwell along the south side of 

 the strait are to be considered for the purposes of this paper. 



The name Sukhinimyut is derived from sûkhiimk, the sun, and is applied because 

 these people dwell on the sunny or light side of the region generally known as the Labra- 

 dor Peninsula. 



The character of the area occupied by them is generally rolling, alternating with flats, 

 valleys, and slightly elevated plateaus of greater or less extent. Through this portion of 

 the entire region, flow the principal rivers already referred to. These streams exert a great 

 influence on the Innuit, for they ascend them each fall to hunt the game that abounds, at 

 that season, a hundred miles from the coast. As these people were more intimately studied, 

 their characteristics are better known. They are locally siibdivided into three subtribes, 

 not differing essentially, but solely on account of the stress laid by an Innuit upon the laud 

 of his birth. The farthest western of the Sukhinimyut are the Tasyuyagmyut, or people 

 of Tasyuijalx, a " river having a mouth like a lake." The second are the Koksoagmyut, 

 or " people of the big river Koksoak.'" The third are the Kangukhlualuksoagmyut, or 

 " people of the extremely large bay." The latter include the Kilinigmyut, or " people of 

 Cape Chidley." 



The stature of these Innuit is above the medium height. The males are, with but few 

 exceptions, powerfully built with broad frames and sufficient muscle. Only four or five 

 of the adult males are less than five feet, five inches high. The women are, compared 

 with the men, considerably shorter, being only aboi\t five feet, three inches. Their face is 

 less rounded than that of their western neighbors, nor is the skin as dark. Some of the 

 men are possessed of enormous strength. I have seen them place a barrel of flour on their 

 shoulders and carry it up a hillside so steep as to require one not burdened to pick his 

 steps with care. Feats of strength are not uncommon, and in their wrestling they call 

 forth the power of each muscle of the body. Their test is to lock arms behind the oppon- 

 ent's back and to get him on the ground by drawing him toward them. The lower limbs 

 being separated, the struggle is simply one of endurance and strength. They are able to 

 throw the Indians with little exertion. Neither people permits tripping, and the utmost 

 good will prevails. 



As these Innuit have been more or less directly in contact with white men, owing to 

 the proximity of the trading station — Fort Chimo being situated in their midst — they are 

 modified in a certain measure by their presence. They have adopted the garments of the 

 white man for the greater part of the year, and have learned to use many of his tools and 



