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localities, each bay or fiord generally having its own. He must 

 always be a distinguished person so far as concerns the ac- 

 complishments necessary for a first rate hunter. When he dies 

 his son has the first claim to be his successor, if he possesses 

 the qualities required. If not, another is appointed who pro- 

 bably has already been elected during the father's life. 



Several facts seem to prove that THE WESTERN ESKIMO 

 OCCUPY A HIGHER STAGE OF SOCIAL ORGAlMSATION than the 

 Eastern tribes. This is manifested in the more favourable con- 

 ditions for the accumulation of individual property. The same, 

 however, is on the other hand limited by a remarkable tendency 

 to prodigality in distributing gifts in order to acquire reputation. 

 This kind of ambition again creates a division with regard to 

 social position evidently allied to the rank system of their 

 southern Indian neighbours. In connection with warfare among 

 the tribes it has even led to the custom of keeping slaves , of 

 all habits the one apparently most at variance with Eskimo 

 social life 



The Inland Eskimo who inhabit the shores of the river 

 luiskokwim were stated by Wrangell to number 7000 souls. 

 They had their fixed dwellings along the river, while they roamed 

 about on hunting excursions during the summer season. Each 

 village had its Kashim or council house, the interior of which 

 was furnished with amphitheatre seats surrounding the stage 

 for performances, and in the middle was found the hearth for 

 heating the room. This building as to ordinary use was reserved 

 exclusively for the adult of male population, partly for working, 

 partly for holding council. All public affairs were here dis- 

 cussed and decided. Another employment of it was for public 

 festivals. The season for these assemblies was opened with an 

 exhibition showing what each hunter had earned during the 

 course of the past year. Even what children might have caught 

 of birds and fishes was not omitted on these occasions, stuffed 

 specimens being arranged on extended lines sufficiently lightened 



