166 REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 



The reason I have to go into details in relating this is to show you that I am per- 

 fectly familiar with the subject I am going to touch. In looking at the pictures in 

 your report of Eskimo, I am thoroughly convinced that this people are of the same 

 origin as tlie Russian Samoides that you find under different names and in different 

 tribes all along the Siberian coast, from Bering Straits to Canin Nose on the White 

 Sea in Russia. Eskimo, as you find them in Greenland, and this people that you 

 introduce under the same name along Bering Straits, must be two different peoples 

 entirely. There are many things in your report that confirm me in my beliet that 

 this people are Samoides and not Eskimo. For instance, their way of driving with 

 two or more deers before the sledge; the same kind of sledge; the long stick used 

 by them to steer and drive the deers; all these customs you will find to be exactly 

 the same with the Samoides at the White Sea in Russia, thousands of miles away. 

 But more than anything, in their physiognomies they are to perfection the same. 

 This people I speak of is perfectly harmless and good-natured. I have stayed with 

 them in their tents many a night out on the tundras when traveling in those parts 

 of Russia. 



I have read through your "Instructions for Guidance at Reinde'er Station," and 

 find there many valuable points, but there is much that could be added under the 

 heads of winter grazing and shelter; but this not being forme to pass on I only 

 mention it. 



I understand the Government is looking for a good man, who understands some- 

 thing about reindeer and the taking care of them, as superintendent of the station. 

 Well, the selection of such a man should be made very carefully, as the success of the 

 whole trial will largely depend on him. Being a single man, I should have nothing 

 against undertaking it myself, provided there is sufficient pay in it. Under all cir- 

 cumstances I feel greatly interested in the enterprise, and wish you every success, 

 considering it a good step in the right direction. If you will favor me with a few 

 words you will oblige, 



Yours, respectfully, 



Adolph Dahl. 



Dr. Shkldon Jackson, 



Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C. 



McNeils Island, January 29, 1S94. 



Dear Sir: Yours of January 17 is at hand, and I am very thankful for the inter- 

 esting reading matter you send me; and according to those reports I have to say the 

 introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska is a success from the very beginning. 

 Concerning what Du Chaillu says in the Appendix about the increase of reindeer in 

 Norway and Sweden I will give a few reasons why there is not so large an increase. 

 In the first place, the pasturage both in Norway and Sweden is limited, as the Lapps 

 have the right to pasture their herds only on Government land. If they come on 

 private owners' territory they are subject to heavy fines. And, in the second place, 

 they kill some of the fawns every year to use their skins for certain pieces of clothes, 

 and to have the mother deer furnish milk for family use and also for cheese-making. 

 The cheese from reindeer milk surpasses any kind made from cows' milk in nutri- 

 tive value. 



So the value of reindeer for people in Alaska can hardly be overestimated. 

 First, they are an excellent article for food, as well as useful for transportation. 

 Certain newspapers in Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., have for the past three years 

 agitated the question of forming a colony of Scandinavian fishermen for permanent 

 settling in Alaska, but men with families are somewhat afraid of the winter in that 

 region through the lack of a domesticated house animal; but what a help would not 

 a few reindeer be ! The cost of Ins feeding would be but a tritle, as the moss is found 

 in abundance almost everywhere. Since I wrote my first letter I have asked many 



