INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 2Ul 



there is a circular frame of wood about 3 inches in diameter fastened 

 to the point of the stick, having sinew thread or cord laced crosswise 

 within the frame, which prevents the stick from sinking- into the snow. 

 The point of the stick protrudes a])out 1 inch below this frame so as 

 to make the purchase secure. 



DWELLINGS. 



At present the house, which is occupied by the family during nine 

 months of the year, is quite a substantial dwelling above ground — in 

 contrast with the underground al>odeof former days. There is a ]>ase 

 extending upright from the ground about 6 feet, made of driftwood or 

 w^reckage, firmly nailed, and decagonal in shape. Poles and strips of 

 wood are fastened to the upper end of this base leading up to a ridge- 

 pole which secures them above. Seal rope is used to hold these poles 

 in place, and they are braced by strips of wood at intervals, which in 

 turn are supported l)y strong poles reclining on the ground. Walrus 

 skins are firmly tied over this upper framework, and the whole is ren- 

 dered secure against the wind by weighting it with heavy pieces of 

 iron, large ])locks of wood, and 1)ig stones. 



One house, occupied by a native named Oozuk, measured in perime- 

 ter 156 feet. From the door to the back the measurement was 4S feet, 

 while the width w^as 42 feet, and the height at the ridgepole 18 feet. 

 In the interior, in the back part, a place measuring with the width of 

 the house about 31 feet and with the length about 14 feet is partitioned 

 ofi' from the other and larger portion by a frame over which deerskins 

 are hung and also mats of dried grass. This is the living room. It 

 is lighted only by dim seal-oil native lamps. Ventilation is secured by 

 means of holes a)x)ut 6 inches in diameter in the curtains, generally 

 two or three sufficing, and having skin covers to them which can be 

 removed at the convenience of the people. The hot air passes through 

 these ventilators, while to admit the cold air the curtains are raised 

 and moved or supported ])y a stick for a few moments. The doorway 

 is in the front, a square hole in the wooden base about 2^ feet in height 

 and with its lower edge about the same height from the ground. A 

 door covers this entrance and is fastened by pieces of skin or ])y hinges. 

 There is a latchstring on the outside to open the door when it has been 

 made fast. There is no smoke hole in the roof. A portion of one 

 side of the interior is partitioned with ))oards and serves as a larder. 

 If necessary the living room is enlarged b}^ adding some space on one 

 of the sides. There are hanging shelves in the living room, also native 

 stoves made of wood. Seal oil is burned. These also serve as lamps. 

 Kettles are suspended over the lamps, but the cooking is not carried 

 very far; perhaps a "parboil" is the limit. Walrus skins cover the 

 ground in the living room. Deerskins are used as coverlets or blankets 

 when sleeping. Large wooden trays and smaller plates of the same 



