An Anthropogeographical Study of the Origin of the Eskimo Culture. 153 
as a unity, so far as communication is concerned. Or, to put 
it more exactly, did so until the white man disturbed the existing con- 
ditions. Consequently, it was possible for a new cultural feature which 
had originated in, or been introduced into, one place to be transmitted 
to all the Eskimo. 
Geographical Adaptation and Pacific-Asiatic influence. 
Analysis of the types of culture described above makes it evident 
that the cultural dualism, shown in the summer and winter pursuits 
respectively, is based upon geographical conditions; and, further, ex- 
plains why the annual economic cycle varies so greatly from group 
to group. 
A closer consideration will, however, show that also the other main 
reason for cultural development, viz., culture-contact or influence 
from without, must have co-operated in the development of at any rate 
certain sides of the economic culture of the Eskimo. 
This is seen by comparing the Point Barrow Eskimo and the more 
westerly and still Arctic culture-groups in Alaska and on the Chukche 
Peninsula with the central Arctic groups in the Archipelago (Coronation 
Gulf and Netchillik). 
Among the latter the summer is spent in hunting and fishing 
in the interior (kayak, lance, bow, arrow and fishing spear), and the 
winter in hunting on the ice (dog sledge and harpoon). Among 
the Point Barrow Eskimo and their neighbouring groups the same is 
found to be the case; but, in addition, the summer has provided a quite 
new occupation, which, as regards the season, collides with the inland- 
hunting, viz., whale hunting from umiak, and the winter has likewise 
provided a quite different method of acquiring a livelihood, viz., the 
catching of seals with nets. 
The question now is, whether the Eskimo themselves have developed 
these pursuits, or whether they have borrowed them from without. 
Even the consideration that, in comparison with other Arctic groups, 
they represent a duplication of the methods of obtaining food may 
favour the belief that they have been borrowed. That they are younger 
than the other methods there can be no doubt, among other reasons, 
on account of their higher technical nature, and because they demand 
greater social co-operation. Since we know that the capture of seals 
with nets is carried on by the Pacific Asiatics along the Asiatic coast of 
the Northern Pacific Ocean, the only reasonable solution of the problem 
is furnished by the assumption that it is the Eskimo in the regions about 
Bering Strait who have learnt to catch seals with nets from the Pacific 
Asiatics, and not vice versa (in all probability it is from the Pacific Asia- 
tics that the Eskimo have on the whole learnt the use of the net and 
not from their North American neighbours). Moreover, everything 
