GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS. 



797 



Fig. 29. 



WHALING SHIPS NEAR A PINE-COVERED SHORE. 



The portrayal by the native artist of boats, both the kaiak and the 

 umiak, is of such frequent occurrence in the Alaskan etchings and toy 

 carvings that the photographic reproduction of native-made models 

 may be deemed of special interest. Plate 27 represents a kaiak, while 

 the illustration shown 

 in plate 28 represents an 

 umiak with raised sail. 

 Comparisons with 

 etchings are suggested, 

 as numerous examples 

 of the former occur in 

 abundance, and will be referred to elsewhere and in another connection. 

 Fig. 28 represents four vessels rigged up with sails, the one at the 

 extreme left being manned by Americans or mixed bloods, distinguished 

 by the presence of hats upon their heads. The hulls of the second, 

 third, and right-hand figures are in imitation of 

 the native made vessel of that size, which is 

 adapted to the erection of masts and small sails. 

 The artist has evidently intended to represent 

 the different varieties used by him or his family. 

 In fig. 29 are represented two vessels, under 

 full sail, within reasonable distance from shore, 

 as is indicated by the presence of two pines which loom up in the mid 

 dle distance. No special motive appears to have prompted the delinea 

 tion of the ships, excepting perhaps the record of an unusual event 

 in the history of the locality where it is supposed to have occurred. 



The portrayal of a schooner (fig. 30) 

 is perhaps only the result of &quot;having 

 nothing better to do,&quot; as loungers often 

 whittle or engrave figures or outlines 

 of such things that create passing in 

 terest. It is probable too that some 

 thing of greater interest may have been 

 connected with the arrival of a vessel from civilization. This, however, 

 could only be cleared up by the artist himself or the person for whom it 

 may have been drawn. 



In like manner, the illustration shown in fig. 31 may have been 



engraved because of some 

 event of consequence con 

 nected therewith, or perhaps 

 because of the peculiar ap 

 pearance in the Alaska waters 

 of a vessel with but one wheel, and that at the stern. Such vessels are 

 common on inland waters of the United States, but their seldom occur 

 rence so far north may have been deemed of sufficient importance of 

 which to make a permanent record. 



Fig. 31. 



STERN-WHEEL STEAMBOAT. 



