THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [ETH.AXX. 18 



two holes through each end for the cords by which they are fastened 

 to the foot. Figure G9 (1 and la) show the upper and lower surfaces 

 of a broader and heavier pair of ice creepers from the Diomede islands. 

 They are turned up at the ends to retain them in place on the foot, and 

 have four rows of pyramidal points along the lower surface. 



Figure 09 (2 and 4), from St Michael and St Lawrence island, respec 

 tively, represent ivory creepers with a row of pyramidal points along 

 each side. Through the middle, between the rows of points, is cut a 



FIG. 69 Ice creepers 



long, rectangular slot, and in the ends of each are holes for the cords 

 by which they are fastened on. 



Other creepers of similar style were obtained from Plover bay on 

 the Siberian shore. 



BOATS 



The Eskimo of the Alaskan coast, the islands of Bering strait, and 

 the coast of Siberia use large open boats, varying in length from fifteen 

 to forty feet, and made by covering a wooden framework with seal 

 skin or walrus-hide. These are the umiaks so well known from their 

 use by Greenlanders. Among the people from the head of Norton 

 sound and northward to Point Barrow, these boats are known as 

 u -mi -a~k; among the Unalit of the eastern shore of Norton sound and 

 southward they are called ail -i-jnk. They vary in size according to 

 locality or to the purpose for which they are made, and their pattern 

 also varies slightly with the locality. Originally they were propelled 

 by paddles, after which slender-blade oars were adopted in some locali 

 ties, and these are still used. 



Although oars are in common use, yet it is not rare to see umiaks 

 propelled wholly by paddle.s, as was done in ancient times. Paddles 



