THE ESKIMO AS A HUNTER 37 



Seal hunting is perhaps the most common means 

 of obtaining a large supply of food and material 

 for clothing, and usually the animal is harpooned, 

 though the method of capture depends on the 

 season of the year and the condition of the 

 ice. 



The shaft of the harpoon, to which a line is 

 attached, is made of wood, strengthened by a thong 

 of reindeer hide. The head consists of a sharply 

 pointed piece of ivory, probably obtained from the 

 tusks of the walrus ; and in order that the sharp 

 point may detach itself in the wounded animal, 

 the head fits very loosely in the shaft, to which it is 

 fastened by a strong thong of reindeer sinew. The 

 floating wooden shaft, to which a bladder is fastened, 

 is plainly seen each time the wounded animal comes 

 up to breathe. The whole proceeding has been 

 described by Dr. Boas, who says : 



When the day begins to dawn, the Eskimo 

 prepares for the hunt by gathering his harpoons 

 and harnessing the dogs to the sledge. The harpoon 

 line and the snow knife are hung over the deer s 

 antlers, which are attached to the hind part of the 

 sledge, a seal or bear skin is lashed upon the bottom, 

 and the spear secured under the lashing. The 

 hunter takes up the whip, and the dogs set off at a 

 great pace for the hunting ground. 



&quot; Near the place where he expects to find seals, 

 the hunter stops his team and takes the implements 

 from the sledge, which is then turned upside down 

 in such a way as to prevent the dogs from running 

 away. A dog with a good scent is then taken from 

 the team, and the Eskimo follows his guidance 



