CEUISE OF STEAMEE COR WIN IN THE AECTIC OCEAN. 109 



attributed by the native to his wife's infidelity during his absence, and is likely to result in her 

 being chastised on his return. When not engaged in hunting or fishing, in place of objecting, the 

 men rather encourage it. The marriage ceremony is simple or elaborate, according to the taste 

 of the contracting parties. In most instances a present of an al-le-ghe is made by the man to the 

 maiden of his choice, and if accepted she is regarded thenceforth as his wife. The selection of the 

 wedding al-le-ghe is a matter of much importance. Those made of the skins of the domesticated 

 reindeer are most highly prized on account of their variegated appearance, the fineness of the hair, 

 and the superior manner of dressing the skins practiced by reindeer owners. To secure an al-le- 

 ghe of this kind for a wedding present, an Innuit will travel many miles in the coldest weather and 

 pay a fabulous price. Without it an Innuit bride's trousseau is incomplete. Immediately after 

 marriage the Innuit makes and presents his wife with a pipe. When visiting the vessel, the young 

 brides were readily distinguished by the newness and elegance of their pipe and tobacco-bag. 



In general, but one wife is taken, and separations are unusual. Occasionally, however, an 

 Innuit is met with having several wives. In cases where there are no children by the first marriage, 

 it is not unusual for a second wife to be taken, in which case the two women occupy the same 

 house without envy or jealousy. 



I could not learn that the parents of either party are consulted in the matter, although it is 

 not improbable that the sons, who are much more subject to the control of the parents than the 

 daughters, are guided somewhat by them in the choice. 



The bride is taken to the house of the husband's parents, where they all reside in harmony 

 until compelled by increasing numbers to provide quarters for themselves. 



Both men and women are very kind to the children, and bestow much care upon them. They 

 are kept warm and comfortable as circumstances will permit, and fed and caressed with every 

 evidence of affection; and being, as a rule, gentle and tractable in disposition, they seem happy 

 and comfortable, and cry but little. They are provided with toys by their parents. The boys have 

 miniature bows and arrows, spears, kyacks, seeds, and in fact, every article used by the father is 

 reproduced in smaller size for the son ; while the little girl has a doll made of ivory or wood, and 

 dressed in furs in exact imitation of herse'f. These toys are made with great care, and differ from 

 the articles in actual use in size only. The carved images of men and women, although possessing 

 no claim to artistic skill, are made true to nature. The little ones are constantly with their 

 parents and learn very young to make themselves useful. They light the tires, melt snow and ice 

 for drinking, sew furs, and tend the lamp; while the boys, when only seven or eight years of age, 

 go hunting and sealing with the older ones, and assist in all the cares and duties of life. The women 

 seldom have more than one or two children, the youngest being carried on the mother's back until 

 two or three years of age. The hood of the al-le-ghe worn by the women is made large to accom- 

 modate them, and the sharp black eyes of the child peeping out over its mother's shoulder, are 

 often the first indication of its presence. It is said that they destroy all deformed children at birth. 

 Whether this be true or not, we certainly saw no deformed natives of either sex. They are also 

 remarkably free from any appearance of disease, although frequently covered with scars and marks 

 of wounds received in their encounters with bears and other wild animals. But one case of insanity 

 came under my observation among either Inuuits or Tchuktchis — a young man belonging to the 

 latter tribe, taken on board at Saint Lawrence Bay for passage to Plover Bay. While lying at 

 anchor off the south side of Saint Lawrence Island, and about to get under way, this young man, 

 who had acted strangely for several days, asked permission to visit Hie shore. He was told that the 

 vessel would steam away in a few minutes, whereupon he became greatly excited, and seizing his 

 rifle jumped into a boat. He was brought back without difficulty, and the affair was nearly forgot- 

 ten, when the quartermaster of the watch called out, " The Indian has jumped overboard.'* He was 

 drawn out of the water and again brought on deck, when he was found to be shaking violently. 

 Supposing this to be the effect of his cold bath, I ordered him stripped and a dry suit of clothes 

 put on him. Upon removing his garments blood was noticed, and an examination showed a knife 

 wound in the left breast from which the blood spurted at each respiration, showing that the knife 

 had penetrated the lung. The wound was dressed, and a guard placed over the native, who by 



