520 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



filth and refuse accumulated during winter absolutely insupportable when melted. Moreover, 

 the necessity of fishing and hunting renders an easily movable dwelling-place most important 

 during the summer and autumn. Although in certain parts of Eskimolaud huts built of snow, 

 with sheets of ice for windows, are not uncommonly constructed for winter use, in Greenland 

 these are known only by tradition, and a more permanent kind of building is in vogue. The 

 winter huts, or iglus, of the Greenlanders are partially subterranean structures, wretched 

 enough according to European ideas, but by no means ill-adapted to the nature of the climate 

 and the simple wants of their owners. " On account of their being formed of stones 

 alternating with sods," writes Dr. Rink, " the walls are liable to subside; but then the roof, 

 consisting of turf spread over driftwood, will follow them, and the whole, being cemented 

 together by moisture and frost, will be perfectly impenetrable by wind. The windows, made 



From I'rince ItoLand HoH 



Collection. 



A GROUP OF NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 



out of seal-entrail, only admit a scanty portion of daylight; but during the greater part of 

 the winter-time the sun is absent, and when the days are lengthening daytime is mostly 

 passed in the open air. The dwelling-room of the original houses had no chimney or fire- 

 place at all, but the lamps served at once for lighting, heating, and cooking. A small kitchen 

 is sometimes found as a side-room close by the door. Ventilation is afforded chiefly by the 

 long and narrow doorway which affords the entrance to the house. On first entering, one has 

 to descend, while at the farther end a step upwards at once leads into the room itself. . . . 

 By properly adapting the length and width of the house-passage the necessary ventilation is 

 afforded, there having been scarcely any door at all in the house, only a loose skin curtain 

 being occasionally used to close the entrance. A vent-hole was made in the roof; and the 

 enormous difference between the temperature outside and inside explains how so little as 



