104 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [ETH.AXN. 13 



Figure 31, from the lower Yukon, is a tube with the head of a walrus 

 in relief 011 each of two sides near one end and the head of a seal on 

 the other end. 



Figure 28, from Kotzebue sound, is of ivory in the shape of a small 

 flask closed by a wooden stopper. The wooden bottom is held in place 

 .with wooden pegs. In relief on one side of the neck is the figure of a 

 right whale, and on opposite sides are two bears. 



Xeedle-cases are sometimes used without stoppers, in which case a 

 large cord of sealskin is passed through the center, which terminates 

 .in a hook of bone or ivory for holding thimbles, or hung to it by small 

 cords are various little pendent ornaments, which consist sometimes 

 of .the canine teeth of various animals, but are often small carvings 

 representing arrowheads, human -faces, miniature belt fasteners, and 

 various animal forms. . When this, style of needle-case is used the needles 

 are thrust into the sealskin cord and are drawn into the case by pulling 

 on the other end of the cord, and when needed can be withdrawn by a 

 reverse movement. 



Figure 23, obtained on Norton sound by Mr L. M. Turner, is a good 

 .example of this style of needle-case with sealskin needle holder. 



Figure 20, from St Michael, is a small, neatly carved needle-case pend 

 ant representing a reindeer s foot. 



Figures 22, 23, and 27 represent a number of these small pendants, 

 all of which were obtained at Kushunuk. The last mentioned is in the 

 : forin of a frog with a large head but without the fore-limbs. 



WOMEN S &quot;HOUSEWIVES&quot; 



The little cases or bags for materials used in sewing and for other 

 articles for women s work, commonly called &quot;housewives,&quot; are in general 

 use among, the western Eskimo. They are made from skins of various 

 kinds and embellished with needlework in ornamental patterns. The 

 lower end terminates usually in a bag and the upper end is rounded; 

 to the latter a rawhide cord is attached, having at its end a slender 

 cross-pie.ce, of bone, ivory, or deerhoru from three to eight inches in 

 length, which is generally carved into various designs with the inge- 

 unity characteristic of these people. When not in use the &quot;housewife&quot; 

 is rolled.up, the cord is wound several times around it and fastened by 

 thrusting one end of the cross-piece under the cord. 



A specimen of these housewives from Kaialigamut (number 37918) 

 is made from the skin of reindeer ears and pieces of skin from other 

 parts. of the same animal. The upper end is rounded and trimmed with 

 stripes of white, black, and russet leather parallel to the curved edge, 

 the seams being sewed in black .and white. The lower end terminates 

 in a bag, the inner surface of which is divided into square sections by 

 double rows of stitching, along which are painted bordering red lines. 

 Along the outer edges is a narrow strip of white reindeer fur succeeded 

 by a little strip of plucked beaver, outside of which is a coarse fringe 

 made from little strips from the edge of the skin of reindeer ears. 



