3 



sity, in their struggle for existence, had compelled them to 

 originate. When compared with the ordinary course of devel- 

 opment of the lower races, as shown by the history of culture, 

 such transformation must be regarded as having been of a 

 somewhat sudden character. From having been the natives of 

 sylvan districts, they had to become a people that may be said 

 to shun the forrests, and content themselves with the most 

 barren and ice clad shores in existence. Their only means of 

 sustenance was to be found in the marine animals, the seals 

 and the whales , whose peculiar covering of fat (blubber) while 

 affording them food, could at the same time furnish them with 

 fuel and light, sufficient to the requirements of the severest 

 climate hitherto known. But in respect to the capture of these 

 animals instruments had to be devised which have, from their 

 ingenuity and workmanship, gained the admiration of the civilised 

 world. First they had to exchange the birch-bark canoe, adapted 

 to lakes and rivers, for the kayak fitted to brave the waves of 

 the ocean. Thus there can be but little doubt as to the nature 

 of the objects which gave rise to the formation of new words, 

 or expressions, by people subjected to such an entire change 

 of life as mentioned. 



THE ARCTIC CULTURE HOME. The vast extent of ter- 

 ritory over which the Eskimo race is spread has often been the 

 subject of discussion. It will be sufficient here to repeat that 

 it comprises the littoral and islands of America north of a line 

 extending from East to West and varying from 56 to 60 N. 

 latitude, including Greenland and a portion of the N. E. corner 

 of Siberia. The inhabitants of the opposite ends of this terri- 

 tory, to the E. in Greenland and Labrador, and to the W. in 

 Siberia and Southern Alaska, in order to visit each other would 

 have to travel more than 5000 miles by their ordinary means 

 of conveyance, skinboats and sledges. In order to obtain a 

 comprehensive view of the populations which lie scattered in 



