232 Our Forth Land. 



6. The Western Eskimos, from Barter Island to the western 

 shores of America. These differ somewhat from the others in their 

 habits and style of dress, and they are allied to certain Indian tribes 

 in Alaska. 



7. The Asiatic Eskimos, different altogether from those of 

 America, with whom they have no connection whatever. 



Of these divisions I will confine myself to those of the Labrador 

 and the interior of the northern part of the American continent. 



First, as to their appearance. They are not a very small race. 

 Their height is about five feet eight inches or five feet ten inches, 

 sometimes six feet, but rarely ; but their style of dress makes them 

 look smaller than they are. Both men and women are muscular 

 and active, having pleasant, good-natured faces. Sometimes they are 

 handsome. They are sure to " grin " on the slightest provocation. 



Their faces are oval, broad and flat, with fat cheeks. The forehead 

 is not high and quite retreating. Their teeth are good, but owing to 

 the character of their food are worn down to the gums in old age. 

 Their noses are flat generally, but not- always. Their eyes are small, 

 black, and bright. Their heads are large, and covered with coarse, 

 black hair, which the women generally keep in braids, or fix up 

 into a top-knot on their crowns, and the men clip in front and 

 allow to fly loose behind. The men have a slight moustache and 

 insignificant whiskers. The skin, when cleaned of grease and smoke, 

 is only so slightly brown that red shows readily in the cheeks, 

 especially of the women and children. 



They soon age, and seldom live to be over sixty. Their hands and 

 feet are small and well-formed, and as a rule are better looking than 

 the best of the Indians. The men, women and children dress entirely 

 in skins of the seal, reindeer, bear, dog, and even fox ; but the first 

 two greatly predominate. The men and women dress much the 

 same. The jacket of the men has a hood which, in cold weather, is 

 used to cover the head, leaving only the face exposed. This jacket 

 must be drawn on over the head, as it has no opening either in front 

 or behind. The women's jacket has a fur-lined "amowt," or large 

 hood, for carrying a child, and a very absurd-looking tail behind, 

 which is generally trimmed. 



