l86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. V. 



at her father's home, he would begin to work for him, not failing to 

 present him or the girl's most influential relative with anything of value 

 which might come into his possession, either by hunting or otherwise. 

 Meantime, he would never tell them the reason of such unwonted 

 liberality, neither would they ask him, but they easily guessed it. When, 

 after one or two years' wooing to his intended wife's parents, he thought 

 a well-deserved "yes" was likely to reward his efforts, he would demand 

 her from her father or guardian, through the instrumentality of an 

 obliging friend. If agreeable, the suitor was thereby married. If not, 

 then the recipient of his favours was bound to return an equivalent in 

 kind. * * * Polygamy flourished to a great extent among all of 

 the tribes. The more exalted the man's rank, the more numerous would 

 be his wives. * * * Nevertheless, there was always one, not 

 necessarily the first in priority of co-habitation, who was regarded as- 

 superior to the others, whom she then called her younger sisters, 

 receiving in return the title of elder sister from them. Even polyandria 

 was in honor conjointly with polygamy among the Se'kanais ; but 

 remained unknown to the Carriers." 



DRESS AND ORNAMENTS OF THE TUNGUS AND THE DENES. 



Abernethy does not sufficiently distinguish between Siberian peoples, 

 when he says : " The Tungusi, Coriaks, Kamschadales, and other tribes 

 in the northeast parts of Asia are differently attired from what they 

 were a century ago. Like every other rude nation in their original state, 

 they covered themselves with furs and hides, like the shepherds of Spain 

 and Italy, the upper garment consisting of one piece, with a hood and 

 sleeves ; it bears also some resemblance to the dress of Capuchin Monks, 

 though not so long, for it reaches not further than the knee. From the 

 knee downwards they are covered with leggins of deer or buffalo skin ; 

 their shoes, also, are made of the same. These robes were formerly 

 dressed with the hair on, but the Tungusi, especially, and the Coriaks 

 have made themselves so well acquainted with the art of tanning, that 

 hair is not seen in any part of their dress, except the hood, the neck, and 

 the cuff's of the sleeves of the upper garment. The tanned covering is 

 generally painted with considerable taste. The figures represent those 

 animals which have been chosen by each tribe as their distinguishing 

 marks. In the summer season they wear a kind of petticoat round the 

 waist which comes down to the knees ; it is made of coarse linen or 

 cotton, which they manufacture themselves. At this time they paint 

 their bodies with a variety of colors. The process of thus adorning 

 them-selves consists in pricking those parts of the body which are not 



