INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 199 

 CLOTHIN(i. 



The cold climate demands suitable warm clothing- for the ])ody. 

 The hair seal furnishes waterproof trousers, boots, and mittens, while 

 the " bio-" seal supplies soles for the boots. These boots are of light 

 weight and strongly soh^d, and are very serviceable in a region where 

 the soil is rocky or pebbly, while 1 must confess from ni}^ own 

 experience with them that they serve ver}^ well in the snow but are 

 not thoroughly impervious to slush or water. Urine is very inade- 

 quate for tanning seal skin; some better method of tanning should ])e 

 introduced. In Greenland the natives, under the tutelage of the 

 Danes, no doubt, have learned to make an a))solutely waterproof boot. 

 Such a })oot is rare among other Eskimos, 1 am told. 



Deerskins are secured in trade from Sil)eria during the annual visit 

 of the Indian Point natives to this place. The reindeer furs make the 

 warmest possible clothing, Trousei's and undershirts and blouses 

 with hoods attached are made from this material. It supplies the 

 people also with mittens and socks. Deer leg skins are made into 

 water boots. 



Feather blouses are made from three varieties of ducks, and are 

 very warm. Rain coats with hoods attached are made from the intes- 

 tines of the walrus. Grass is placed inside the fur sock and the boot 

 (over the sole) for warmth and to absorl) the perspiration. In winter 

 two pairs of trousers are worn, the fur pair inside, with the fur next 

 to the skin, while the sealskin pair keeps out water and wind. A fur 

 or feath(M' undershirt, with the fur or feathers next to the skin, is 

 " topped" ))y a heavy fur or feather coat reaching to the knees, with 

 the fur or feathers turned outside. The hood is worn only in cold 

 weather. In the spring, sunmier, and early fall one suit only is worn, 

 the hair being turned next to the skin. Mittens are always worn in 

 paddling or rowing and during cold weather. Except in the early 

 spring, an ankle boot rather than a knee boot is worn. Small chil- 

 dren wear in very cold wcnither a large hood, which is separate and 

 ties under the chin and protects the neck and shouldei's as well as the 

 head. 



The costume of the women is patterned very nearly after that of the 

 men. Their fur "bloomers" are made very "full," and their boots 

 are wider at the top to accommodate this fullness; the upper l)and of 

 the boot is slightly wider than that on the boots worn ])y men. The 

 women do not belt in their fur frock as the men do, l)ut wear it loosely. 

 The babies have a single garment made of fur, or in cold weather two, 

 I think, which covers the entire l)ody, having no outlets for hands or 

 feet. Sometimes they wear a separate cap or hood, A calico or 

 "drill" Idouse is worn by all over their fur clothing, save possibly 

 the babies. This protects the fur garments. The boys and girls 



