192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. IV. 



little distance from the brim, on the original surface of the ground, while 

 the beams converged with their small ends raised five feet or thereabouts 

 to a point above the excavation, which was to become the door and 

 smoke hole of the hut. These timbers were held up by means of four 

 short pieces of wood, the end corners of which were wedged or locked in 

 those of the larger beams, as shown in fig. i8o. The aerial square orifice 

 resulting from this combination was the doorway of the building. No 

 other timbers were added to this frame-work, save that to further 

 solidify the structure, two, or in larger huts, three, stout posts, ^, forming a 

 right angle with the main beams were planted in the floor with their 

 upper ends notched in the beams, over which split poles were laid 

 horizontally up to the top or rather the door,* This roof was then 

 covered with earth. An Indian ladder — that is, a log notched at the 

 proper stepping intervals — was the means of communication with the 

 outside. 



These huts were very comfortable, and but little fire was needed to 

 keep them warm. From the TsijKoh'tin names of the months we learn 

 that they were occupied from October-November, but how long cannot 

 be ascertained from that source. If we are to judge from a myth current 

 among the same tribe, it would seem that these subterranean dwellings 

 were, in olden times, spring as well as winter homes, since they are 

 mentioned therein as being inhabited as long as the root digging season 



The habitations of the Tse'kehne, whether in winter or in summer, are 

 built after the eastern or conical model. Four long poles with forking 

 extremities are set up one against another, the lower ends of which form 

 on the ground a square on the dimensions of which will depend the size 

 of the lodge. A score or so of other poles are then set up in a circle, 

 the top of each resting on the point of intersection of the first four. In 

 winter, small fascines of spruce are laid horizontally all around the lower 

 perimeter of this frame, so as to leave as few points of access as possible 

 for the cold air from underneath the outer covering, which is then wrapped 

 around the cone resulting from the converging poles. This covering 

 consists of dressed moose skins sewn together, and its perpendicular 

 edges correspond to the entrance of the lodge. They are either buttoned 

 or clasped together from four or five feet above the ground up to the top. 

 On one side of the opening thereby produced is sewn a smaller skin, 

 which forms the door. Two sticks attached transversely thereto on the 

 inside give it the requisite consistency, while the upper one, which slightly 

 projects beyond the edge of the skin door, serves as a latch, its projecting 



* As shown in the accompanying cuts, minor logs were however added to the main timbers, so 

 as to facilitate the roofing of the hut. 



