10 CRUISE OF STEAMER COR WIN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 



although quite short, is a better protection against the cold than any other fur known. Stockings 

 of deerskin, worn with the hair side next the feet, are also used, and keep the feet warm in the 

 coldest weather. 



The dress of the women differs but little from that of the men. The al-le-ghe worn by the 

 former is more elaborately trimmed and rounded at the bottom, and the deerskin trousers, which 

 are more loosely made, are not exchanged in summer for seal-skin, as is the case with the men. 

 The al-le-ghe worn by both sexes has a hood attached which serves as a covering. It is trimmed 

 around the face with wolfskin, the selection of which is a matter of much importance. The best 

 skins are always chosen, and from these only the long, black-tipped hair found along the back will 

 answer. A narrow strip of wolverine skin is generally used with this, and also around the bottom 

 of the garment. The fur of the wolverine is supposed to possess a charm against evil, and is 

 therefore highly prized by them. 



The intestines of the walrus and seal are made into garments called by the Russians kain- 

 layka. These are worn over all to shed rain or snow. A similar garment is made of drilling or 

 calico, which answers very well for use in snow, and soon becomes so saturated with oil as to shed 

 water. Occasionally garments made of the skins of squirrel and marmot are seen, and more 

 rarely of water fowl, and once at Hotham Inlet we noticed an al-le-ghe made of the skin of the 

 mountain sheep. Although the Innuits travel during the summer for the purpose of hunting, 

 fishing, and trading, they have regular winter habitations to which they return in the fall. They 

 are fond of collecting in large numbers during the summer at some central point, where they 

 trade and exchange with each other, and also indulge in dances and athletic sports. At Cape 

 Blossom a party of this kind was encountered, numbering, perhaps, a thousand people. Generally 

 ;it (In- larger settlements a few of the old and lazy remain behind during these summer migrations, 

 but it is not unusual to find a settlement entirely deserted. Before setting out on their journey 

 all destructible articles are put upon a scaffold or elevated platform, erected for the purpose, 

 where they are beyond the reach of wild animals and stray dogs. TraveJ during the summer is 

 performed entirely by water in their oomiacs. Indeed, the latter forms a very important factor in 

 the problem of Innuit existence in the far north. The oomiac is generally referred to as a " woman's 

 boat," while the fact is it is used by both men and women and at all times, except when the work 

 to be performed is of such a uature that great dexterity is required, such as seal and beluga 

 hunting ; then the kyack is used. 



The oomiac has a frame of wood and a covering of walrus or seal hide. It is from 20 to 30 

 feet in length, about 2 feet in depth, and in width about one-nfth its length. The frame is fastened 

 by lashings and made with slip joints to allow it to accommodate itself to the motion of the sea. 

 It is flat-bottomed, sharp at both ends, and nearly straight on top. A square sail made of drilling 

 or deer-skin, according to circumstances, is used. When propelled by hand the men use paddles 

 and the women use oars. 



The carrying capacity of the oomiac is enormous. When used in traveling it contains a tent 

 of drilling or deer-skin, guns, traps, spears, bows and arrows, a kyack, a seal-skin poke filled with 

 water, a quantity of dried meat or fish, and, in the warm season, a lot of birds and eggs ; a sled, 

 several pairs of snow-shoes, a fish-net and some smaller nets for catching birds, a shaman drum, and 

 several bags of skin clothing. Perhaps, in addition, a stock of oil, whalebone, ivory, or furs is 

 taken along for the purpose of trading. 



The personnel consists of three or four men, about as many women, and two or three children. 

 Add to these two or three dogs, each with a litter of puppies, and some idea may be formed of what 

 a traveling oomiac contains. The working dogs are generally left on shore to follow ou foot, which 

 they do, keeping up a continual and most dismal howl. If the wind comes ahead, and the natives 

 desire for any reason to continue their journey, they catch and harness the dogs, and attach them 

 to the oomiac after the manner of a canal-boat and horses, and continue on their way, making four 

 or five miles au hour. When they wish to stop for a night or day they laud and pitch the tents ; 

 the oomiac is unloaded and turned up on the shore, and the Innuits are as much at home as if in 

 their winter houses. 



Notwithstanding the frail character of these skin canal-boats, long distances are made in them 

 along the coasts and even crossing wide bays and straits. 



