1892-1)3.] 



NOTES UN THE WKSTEKN DENES. 



133 



and, owing to its chief peculiarity, it had to be kept in a slanting position 

 while in use. 



The Carrier women originally carried their babes in regular cradles 

 made of birch bark curved up at the narrow end as the basket-tray of 

 our last illustration, save that this part was sewed, not merely stitched 

 in one place as was the case with lig. 120. The bottom of the cradle 

 was prolonged at the broad or open end to serve as a support for the 

 head of the infant. Starting from both sides a hoop of willow half en- 

 circled at the proper distance the head of the child, and was intended 

 to allow sufficient breathing room when it was deemed desirable to cover 

 it. The necessary lacings were passed through a band of buckskin 

 bordering the cradle on the outside. 



With the advent of the whites these primitive cradles disappeared, to 

 be replaced by the systematic swaddling clothes disposed as in fig. 121, 

 which still obtain among the Carriers. Now, as in olden times, the 

 lacing is done with one string passed through bands of cariboo skin 

 ornamented according to the fancy of the mother. This string is so 

 arranged that by pulling both ends the swaddling envelope is drawn up 

 over the feet of the babe. Progressive mothers — and they form the 

 majority — nowadays substitute for this tightening device strips of cariboo 

 string buttoned at either end over each side of the swaddling clothes. 



Fig. 121. 



The TsiiKoh'tin have preserved to this day their traditional baby- 

 baskets or cradles, of which fig. 122 will give a fair idea. They are 

 made of the twigs of a species of willow, and their bottom is generally 



