220 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [eth.ann. 18 



hold them firmly in place. The cross section of these kaiaks is slightly 

 rounded along the keel, with a stronger broken curve along each side 

 to the rail. 



Figure 3, plate Lxxrx, shows a kaiak from St Michael. It is 16 

 feet 8^ inches long arid 12 inches deep, with 27^ inches beam. 



The kaiaks of Xorton sound are made lighter and narrower than 

 those from liuuivak island. They are essentially the same in the plan 

 of framework except that the projecting stern extends out even with 

 the spur-like point of the top-piece, which reaches back from the man- 

 hole. In the bow this top piece extends forward to the upturned point 

 of the stem, leaving a broad, slot like interspace. When these kaiaks 

 are covered, the covering follows the point of the stem and of this cen- 

 tral piece so as to leave an open space. The same is done at the stern, 

 so that there is a slot-like opening there. This projecting point at the 

 stern serves as a handle for lifting the kaiak, as does the projecting 

 point of the centerpiece at the bow. The central ridge, produced by 

 the stick fastened along the top of the u]>turned crosspieces of the 

 deck, is similar to that in the kaiaks from Kunivak island. 



Figure 4, plate lxxix, represents a kaiak from King island. It is 15 

 feet 3 inches long, 13 J inches deep, and has 2Si inches beam. These 

 kaiaks are comparatively short and broad, with an upcurved bow very 

 similar in form to that of the iJ^univak island type, and with the same 

 kind of circular opening through the bow piece. The stern is quite 

 different, however, as it extends back from the manhole nearly straight 

 for a short distance and then curves regularly down to the level of the 

 keel point. These kaiaks are strongly made; they are used in the 

 ■stormy waters of the strait, and sometimes are taken even to the Sibe- 

 rian coast of the strait and to St Lawrence island. 



The kaiaks of Nunivak island and of Bering strait are curiously alike 

 in general form, corresponding in a broad bottom and in the strength of 

 their framework. The Nunivak island kaiaks, however, are sometimes 

 twice the size of those used in Bering strait, and at times the bow is 

 very strongly upcurved and the projecting end piece on the top of the 

 stern extends out, or out and down, so that the point reaches halfway 

 to the level of the keel. 



At Kushunuk and Askinuk, as well as along the southern border of 

 the Yukon mouth, the Xunivak island style of kaiak is in use, but to 

 the northward it gives way to the type nsed in Norton sound. South- 

 ward from ]S^univak island there is a decrease in the size and height 

 until they reach their minimum in the Aleutian islands. 



The kaiaks in use on the shores of Kotzebue sound are much smaller 

 and slenderer than those found elsewhere along the Alaskan main- 

 land, and are built on a somewhat different model. This style of kaiak 

 is found from Kotzebue sound northward to Point Barrow, but at the 

 latter place they are made about one-fourth longiT than in Kotzebue 

 sound, and as their width is but little greater, they are proportion- 

 ately slenderer. 



