136 CKUISE OF THE NEPTUNE 



on the barren-ground caribou. The Aivilliks are scattered along 

 the coast from Cape Fullerton to Eepulse bay. These are the 

 natives employed by the American whalers to assist in the whal- 

 ing industry, and who in consequence are more civilized than 

 their neighbours north and south. From long contact with the 

 whalers, there is an admixture of white blood in this tribe, 

 although half-breeds usually die young. The tribe has con- 

 tracted some of the loathsome diseases of civilization. They at 

 present number 138 persons, and the population now appears 

 to be nearly stationary, though there wag a considerable decrease 

 for some years after the whaling vessels first frequented the bay 

 and before the tribe became accustomed to the changes involved. 



The Iglulingmiut are a small -tribe occupying the east shore 

 of Fox channel, from Repulse bay northward to Fury and Hecla 

 strait, and were the tribe met with and described by Parry, who 

 wintered among them in 1821-22. According to Captain Comer 

 they now number only sixty persons, and are not increasing. 



The ]STechillingmiut are the most numerous tribe to the west- 

 ward of Hudson bay, and number about 450 persons. They 

 inhabit the country to the westward of the Igluliks and Aivil- 

 liks, extending westward and northward to Back river and the 

 shores and islands of the Arctic sea. The Sinimiut were a small 

 independent tribe, living about the southern shores of Com- 

 mittee bay, but they have now been absorbed into the Nechilliks. 



Another small inland tribe is the Shaunuktungmiut, who 

 occupy territory to the southwest of Chesterfield inlet. Little 

 is known about this people, except that they are a small tribe 

 allied to the Kenipitumiut. 



Coming to the natives of Baffin island, the Nugumiut tribe 

 inhabit the country about Frobisher bay, and at present have 

 their headquarters at the whaling settlement at Cape Haven, 

 being employed about the station, during the periods of open 

 water, in chasing whales, w r alrus and seals. Their number is 

 sufficient to man four whaleboats, requiring about twenty able- 



