INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 193 



rest of the body, and frequently well .shaped. As a rule, the fore- 

 head is not high, although broad at the base, and slants backward, 

 while the back part of the head is apparently more strongly developed 

 than the front part. The head does not bulge above the ears, but is 

 inclined rather to be acrocephalic. There are exceptional instances, 

 however, of very finely developed "brain boxes.'" The eyes are 

 almond shaped, resembling the Mongolian type; they indicate an 

 active, intelligent mind. The nose is quite large, ))ut lacks refinement 

 by reason of the low l^ridge and the large development at the nostrils. 

 The mouth is large and strong, with strong teeth within. The hands 

 and feet are very small and well formed. The hair on the head is jet 

 black and very thick if the scalp is not diseased. Some men have a 

 very sparse growth on the chin. As a rule, the face is clean shaven 

 and the head is shorn like a monk's, there being only a fringe of hair. 

 The women braid their hair in two plaits. There are various ways of 

 trimming the hair, however, and in some instances a boy or man who 

 is designed for some function connected with " shamanism" seems to 

 wear his hair 3 or 4 inches long or has locks of that length in the back 

 if the rest of the head is shorn. 

 The complexion ranges from yellow to brown. 



ATHLETICS. 



Primarily strength and endurance are gained by hunting, which 

 involves paddling or rowing during some seasons and long walks at 

 other times. To supplement these exercises, athletic contests are 

 occasionally held, when the young men wrestle and perform on ropes 

 stretched horizontally between uprights, while the middle-aged men 

 occasionally play "tag" like the children. Ball is played at times, 

 the girls against the boys. No bat is used; the l)all is merely tossed. 

 Occasionally the young men take a run to develop their " wind," going 

 about two and one-half miles on a dog' trot. Girls and boys try the 

 hop, skip, and jump, and leap over low obstructions. Lifting very 

 hcav}' stones is also practiced by the strong men. 



DISEASES. 



Possibly the overexertion endured during hunting ti'ips brings on 

 heart troubles. Exposure appears at all events to render the people 

 generally subject to lung and throat affections, which is most discern- 

 ible in the spring, when the influenza rages with dreadful havoc at 

 times. At that season the heavier outer fur garments are too quickly 

 laid aside, while the boots do not keep out the water and slush efiec- 

 tuall}^, and sickness results. During sickness, as long as strength 

 lasts, the sufferer refuses, as a rule, to remain in the warm part of his 

 house, and so hastens his death by exposure. Scrofula and, to a 

 S. Doc. 245 13 



