122 THE WHALEMAN J OR, 



The covering of the huts is usually of walrus 

 skins, and impermeable to water. There is gen- 

 erally but one door to the hut, which is some- 

 what smaller than ordinary doorways. 



The interior of the hut is divided into two 

 principal rooms, or apartments, one of which 

 may be called the eating room, and the other the 

 sleeping room. The sleeping apartment is sepa- 

 rated from the other by a temporary screen, which 

 can be easily drawn aside or gathered up. The 

 sleeping apartment is again subdivided into 

 smaller sections, to suit the convenience of the 

 family. The partitions are of walrus or deer 

 skins, as a matter of course. These rooms are 

 much warmer than one would naturally expect 

 to find in this cold region of country. 



The bedsteads (so to speak) are the skins of 

 walruses, stretched upon and fastened to the tops 

 of stakes about one foot from the ground, under 

 which a bedding of coarse rushes is placed. 



The pillow, or that upon which the head may 

 rest, is made by drawing the walrus skin over 

 one end of a stick, or log. 



The peculiar locality of the huts or settlements 

 is another consideration deserving a passing no- 

 tice. The natives select the bleakest spot in the 

 region for their settlements, where the wind 

 blows without any obstruction. They, therefore, 



