128 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



from the ceiling are fox, hare, seal and other skins 

 stretched out to dry. On the side of the igloo op- 

 posite the entrance is the bed upon which all of the 

 inhabitants of the igloo sleep. It is a platform 

 raised slightly above the floor, and spread thickly 

 with musk-ox, deer, dog and bear skins. 



On either side of the platform are native lamps 

 burning seal, walrus or narwhal oil. These lamps 

 are blocks of stone hollowed out to receive the oil. 

 The hollow is cut with one straight and one curved 

 side. Moss or other available material answers for 

 the wick, which is distributed along the straight side. 

 The lamps vary in size from small lamps with the 

 straight side ten inches in length to larger ones 

 where it may be fifteen inches long. If well cared 

 for, the light is fair, and gives out considerable heat, 

 with little smoke; but if not carefully watched it 

 smokes badly, and becomes very offensive. 



While Eskimos eat much of their meat raw and 

 relish it so, they prefer it cooked when conditions 

 permit of cooking. It can be understood how dif- 

 ficult it is to cook it, when it is remembered that the 

 only fire they possess is the meager one supplied by 

 the stone lamp. Over this lamp ice and snow must 

 be melted to supply water for the household. 



If one happens into an igloo at meal time, the host 

 or hostess will wipe carefully, with the feathered 

 side of a birdskin, a tin can or plate, if the igloo 

 boasts such a dish, and in it serve the visitor with 

 such food as may be prepared. When I called upon 

 Kulutinguah, the day following our return from 



