NATIVE MANUFACTURES. 183 



course. The smooth sm-face of the walrus-skm offers 

 little resistance to their passage through the water, 

 and they are carefully prevented from becoming 

 sodden or incrusted, being carried on shore the instant 

 they are done with, turned over and beaten with stout 

 sticks, to drive off the moisture, and keep the skin in 

 shape, as it would otherwise be liable to bag. 



The weapons used for whale hunting are lances and 

 harpoons, both tipped with ivory barbs, but I do not 

 know whether lines are used, although I think it 

 probable from the great quantity manufactured and 

 its excellence, the lines of walrus-hide particularly, 

 which are immensely tough. These are made by 

 cutting round and round a skin without a break until 

 it is all used; the rope is soaked in water until 

 quite soft, then rolled and stretched repeatedly ; by 

 these operations it becomes beautifully round without 

 any edges visible, and of an uniform thickness 

 throughout. 



The Tuski understand the art of tanning, and are 

 able to produce very fair specimens, but practise it 

 principally with sealskin, which is dressed in all 

 colours ; the white is very delicate and much prized. 

 Deerskins are di-essed with ammonia, red-ochre, and 

 other materials, they are rendered very soft and 

 pliable, but the mode of curing gives them an 



