56 THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 



very abundant some years, and they recognize a tiny shrewmouse (Sorex 

 forsteri). This little animal is called ngn mr, a word corresponding to 

 the name ugssiingnaK given to the same animal in Labrador, which, 

 according to Kleinschmidt, 1 is an ironical application of the name of 

 the largest seal, ugssuk (ugrn at Point Barrow), to the smallest mammal 

 known to the Eskimo. The same name is also applied at Point Barrow 

 to the fossil ox, whose bones are sometimes found. The most abundant 

 land animal, however, is the reindeer, tfl ktu (Kangifer tarandus grosn- 

 landicus), which is found in winter in great herds along the upper waters 

 of the rivers, occasionally coming down to the coast, and affords a very 

 important supply of food. 



The njoosji, tu ktuwuii, or &quot;big reindeer&quot; (Alee machlis), is well known 

 from the accounts of the Nunatafimiun, who bring moose skins to trade. 

 Some of the natives have been east to hunt the mountain sheep, i mnes 

 (Ovis canadensis dalli), and all are familiar with its skin, horns, and 

 teeth, which they buy of the eastern natives. The musk ox^ uminmau 

 (Ovibos moschatus), is known only from its bones, which are sometimes 

 found on the tundra. Inland, near the rivers, they also find a large 

 brown bear, a kqlak, which is probably the barren ground bear, while 

 on the ice-pack, the polar bear, nii nu (Thalassarctos maritiruus), is not 

 uncommon, sometimes making raids on the provision storehouses in 

 the villages. 



The most important sea animal is the little rough seal, netylK (Phoca 

 foetida), which is very abundant at all seasons. Its flesh is the great 

 staple of food, while its blubber supplies the Eskimo lamps, and its skin 

 serves countless useful purposes. The great bearded seal, ugru (Erigna- 

 thus barbatus), is less common. It is especially valued for its hide, 

 which serves for covering the large boats and making stout harpoon 

 lines. Two other species of seal, the harbor seal, kasigfa (Phoca 

 vitulina), and the beautiful ribbon seal, kaixolifi (Phoca fasciata), are 

 known, but both are uncommon, the latter very rare. 



Herds of walrus, ai bwek (Odobamus obesus), pass along the coast 

 in the open season, generally resting on cakes of floating ice, and are 

 pursued for their hides and ivory as well as their flesh and blubber. 

 Whales, akbwek, of the species Bahena mysticetus, most pursued for 

 its oil and whalebone, travel along the coast in the leads of open water 

 above described from the middle of April to the latter part of June in 

 large numbers, and return in the autumn, appearing about the end of 

 August. White whales, kilelua (Delphinapterus sp.), are not uncom 

 mon in the summer, and they say the narwhal, tugalm (Monodon 

 monoceros), is occasionally seen. They are also acquainted with aiiother 

 cetacean, which they call axlo, and which appears from their description 

 to be a species of Orca. 



Birds. In the spring, that is during May and the early part of June, 

 vast flocks of migrating ducks pass to the northeast, close to the shore, 



1 (irenUndBk Ordbof;. p. 386. 



