156 CKUISE OF THE NEPTUNE 



obtained for the purpose from, oxide of iron found in the 

 interior. 



As soon as the frame is complete, all the women of the en- 

 campment join in sewing on the sealskin cover, as the operation 

 when started must be completed at one sitting, before the skins 

 dry. The seams are made with a double lap, and are quite 

 water-tight. The skin shrinks on drying, and becomes stretched 

 like a drum over the frame. 



The natives have another boat called the umiak or woman's 

 boat. This is also made with a wooden frame covered with 

 skins, but it is much larger than the hunting kyak of the men. 

 In shape it roughly resembles a large square-ended punt, being 

 often twenty feet and over in length, by six feet or more across 

 the middle section, and tapering towards the ends to about half 

 that width. It is made quite deep, and is capable of carrying a 

 very heavy load. Usually two or more families use a single 

 umiak to transport their goods from place to place, and as the 

 poles and Big sealskin covering of each tent weigh upwards of 

 half a ton, the capacity of these boats can be realized. 



The framework is heavy, and the sides are kept in place by 

 a number of cross thwarts, which also serve as seats for the 

 rowers. The covering is made from the large skins of the Big 

 seal (Phoca barbata), sewn together in a manner similar to the 

 covering of the kyak. This craft is rowed by the women, 

 usually with an old man as steersman. It is propelled by rude 

 oars made from small trees, the handle being formed from the 

 thick part, while the blades are made by attaching strips on two 

 sides of the smaller end. Two or more women pull each oar, 

 which vary in number from two to four. 



The only place where such boats are known by the writer to 

 be used is along the south side of Hudson strait and about 

 Ungava bay. Elsewhere the whaleboat has been found more 

 convenient, and when the planking is worn out they are covered 

 with sealskin. 



