66 



In the single bridle, the bridle line runs out 

 a short distance from the sled and the traces are 

 fastened directly to it. The dogs crossing over 

 cause the lines to become entangled. As the 

 traces are fastened at a distance of 10 or 12 feet 

 from the sled and there is only one line, they 

 can not be hauled in without stopping the 

 team, which occurs frequently, much to the dis- 

 gust of a driver accustomed to the double bridle. 



The trace by which the dogs are fastened 

 to the bridle is made of Bearded seal (irdjuk} 

 hide. It is from 15 to 30 feet long, according 

 to locality. In northern Labrador and Baffin 

 island, traces may be 6 fathoms long. Each dog 

 has a separate trace, and when travelling, the 

 traces are regulated so that the team spreads 

 out fanwise, with the leader slightly ahead and 

 the rest of the team following one another 

 (Plate XIII A). When a dog appears to be 

 shirking, the driver shortens his trace. The 

 harness (anu'k) is formed of a double loop of seal- 

 skin, passing under the forelegs and over the 

 shoulders and being joined in the middle of the 

 back, where the trace is attached. 



The whip (ipiyau'tuk, from ipiyuk "flip- 

 ping," i.e., "something to flip with") is made, 

 in northern Labrador, of eight strands of 

 Bearded seal (u~djuk) hide, which narrows down 

 to four strands, then two, and the lash at the 

 end. The whip is from 20 to 30 feet long, and 

 it requires constant practice and considerable 

 ability to handle it. It is very seldom used 

 for punishment by a good driver, but once used 

 is never forgotten. Dogs that have been fight- 

 ing wildly will slink away whimpering at the 

 hissing cut of the whip. Some drivers attain 

 such dexterity that they can snap off the heads 

 of ptarmigan along the trail (see Figure 14). 



