CRUISE OF STEAMER COR WIN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 113 



of the shaman when exorcising an evil spirit, and the entire absence of anything implying a doubt 

 of its genuineness on their part, I can readily concur in the belief. 



When an Iunuit dies his body is taken outside of the settlement and deposited on the ground, 

 with everything which in life belonged to him — his sled, kyack, arms, &c. During the winter, 

 when the ground is covered with snow, the body is placed upon a sled and drawn to the burial 

 place. At other times the body is attached to a pole and borne out by some of the men. If stones 

 or driftwood are obtainable, the body is covered as a protection against wild animals or dogs. 

 This, however, is not regarded as necessary, and, if at all inconvenient, is omitted. Dead bodies 

 half devoured were often seen. In one case among the Tchuktehis a dog was seen in the act of 

 eating the body of a half-growu child within plain sight of the settlement. They have a super- 

 stitious dread of murdered persons or those killed by violence in any way, and will not touch 

 them unless absolutely necessary. I have known a summer settlement of more than a dozen tents 

 to be moved to escape the presence of the body of a man killed in a quarrel. 



Various opinions are extant as to the origin of the Innuit. Richardson says, "The question 

 has been much discussed as being the pivot on which the inquiry into the original peopling of 

 America has been made to turn." 



Whether they descended from the Mongolians and crossed over Bering Strait in their skin 

 boats, or earlier during the Glacial period they crossed on the tongue of ice which still filled the 

 straits and extended into Bering Sea, or are descendants of the reindeer men of the Pliocene age, 

 and crossed over from Europe to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland, when those places 

 were connected by the elevation of the Atlantic ridge, it is not my purpose to discuss. To the 

 three thousand Innuits who inhabit the Arctic coast of Alaska, and who are entitled to the pro- 

 tection of the American flag, the origin and past history of the Innuit race are not of such vital 

 importance as the present and future. I believe the Innuits could readily be civilized if any 

 opportunity were given them. They must, however, be taught by example. They are great imita- 

 tors, while they have little confidence in mere verbal statements, especially in matters which they 

 do not comprehend. A missionary going among them to preach the doctrines of some particular 

 sect and levy assessments would fail ; but one who would teach them by example to build better 

 houses for themselves, to be more cleanly in their habits, to treat their women with more consider- 

 ation, to be industrious and provident, virtuous, truthful and honest, point out to them the evils of 

 intemperance and teach them the rudiments of self-government, is the kind of missionary they 

 require. First, create in them a desire for knowledge by showing them its benefits, and it will be 

 gladly received. In this way they could be civiiized without cost, as the means of supplying them- 

 selves with everything they will require, even if brought to a high state of civilization, is within 

 easy reach, and they only need be taught industry and providence to be above want at all times. 



The condition of the Innuit of Arctic Alaska at the present time is in sad contrast to that of the 

 Greenland Innuits who, under Danish rule, are enjoying many of the blessings of civilization, with 

 comfortable dwelling houses, schools, and good laws for their government. Although for more than 

 twelve years these people have been the wards of the American Government, made so through the 

 voluntary act of the Government itself, and as such, by all the laws of humanity, entitled to a chance 

 to develop into civilized beings, if they will, not one step has been taken looking towards the 

 improvement of their condition. On the contrary, they are sinking each year lower and lower, being 

 left entirely at the mercy of the whisky-seller. This is a great wrong, and unless remedied will 

 prove a lasting disgrace to our country. 



REINDEER. 



Little though the reindeer's importance is to civilized communities, there is probably no 

 animal in existence which has contributed so much towards the support of human life. With the 

 reindeer many thousands of human beings are now, and have been for centuries, able to exist, 

 and apparently to enjoy life, in regions which without it would be uninhabitable, for there is no 

 other animal known which could supply its place. 



The reindeer ( Tarandus rangifer) ranges in its wild state over the entire Arctic regions of both 

 hemispheres, even to the most desolate of the outlying islands. It is found on Cape Chelagshoi, the 



S. Ex. 204 15 



