46 UTENSILS. 



each other, and from six to eight feet from the 

 exterior walls, on which, at heights varying from three 

 to five feet, a roof of skins and laths is supported; 

 thick layers of dried grass are placed over all to exclude 

 the cold; deerskins dressed with the hair on and 

 closely sewn together hang from the edge of this 

 roof on the inside, and can be drawn aside or closed 

 at will ; when shut they entu'ely exclude the external 

 air. On the ground are stretched more well-cured 

 wahus' skins, over which, when repose is taken, 

 those of the reindeer and Siberian sheep, beautifully 

 prepared, are laid ; above, close under the roof, 

 against the sides of the hut, small lattice shelves 

 are slung, on which mocassins, fur socks, and the 

 dried grass which the more prudent place in the 

 soles of their boots to absorb moisture, are put 

 to dry. A species of dish, oval and shallow, manu- 

 factured, as I understood, by themselves, of a plastic 

 material and afterwards hardened, but from its 

 appearance possibly cut out of stone, serves as a 

 lamp ; against a ridge, running along the middle, and 

 nearly an inch high, fibres of weet-o-weet, or moss, 

 are neatly arranged, only their points showing above 

 the stone edge : the dish is filled with train oil, often 

 hard frozen, and a light of peculiar beauty produced, 

 giving enormous heat, without, when well trimmed. 



