44 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
sively confined to mosses, rushes or, in some localities, a few low shrubs, 
none of which are suitable for the food of human beings. ‘The environ- 
ment, therefore, drives the Eskimo to hunting and fishing as a means 
of livelihood, and the center of the space is occupied by a small modeled 
group representing a man in the act of harpooning a seal, while a woman 
crouching by his side is a vitally interested spectator. ‘The providing 
of food being the chief problem of existence in these far northern regions, 
two life-sized groups have been installed at the north side of the exhibit 
which typify two aspects of the universal occupation. One of these 
groups represents the interior of an igloo or snow house, where a woman 
is cooking by means of a seal oil lamp, while a child is creeping about 
the floor; the other group shows a woman fishing through a hole in the 
ice, under the lee of a wall of snow blocks which protects her from the 
cold, biting winds. 
In spite of their adverse environment the Eskimo have developed 
a love for art, as is shown in the case devoted to carvings and engravings 
in ivory and bone. ‘The walls and case fronts of the alcove are decorated 
with skulls, tusks and horns of the walrus, narwhal and wild reindeer, 
while the figure of a man in hunting costume in a kayak has been placed 
on top of one of the cases. An additional pleasing feature of the new 
installation is the arrangement of concealed electric lamps within the 
cases, by means of which a diffused but ample light is thrown on the 
specimens. 
MUSEUM NEWS NOTES. 
The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Museum was 
held at the Metropolitan Club, Monday evening, February 11. ‘The 
officers of 1906 were re-elected, namely: 
President, Morris K. Jesup, 
First Vice-President, J. Prerponr MorGan, 
Second Vice-President, Henry FAtRFIELD OSBORN, 
‘l'reasurer, CHARLES LANIER, 
Secretary, J. Hamppen Rose, 
Director, Hrrmon C. Bumpus. 
In addition to the routine business of the meeting, a vote of thanks 
was passed to the members of the Peary Arctic Club for their generosity 
