INTRODUCTION OB^ DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 205 

 RELICS OF THE PAST. 



Underground house. — There are a large number of holes in the 

 ground on the outskirts of Gambell, circular in shape, measuring '•20 

 feet in diameter, generally, and with a passage of 10 feet in length 

 and 2i in width and height, covered over on top, leading to them. 

 The sides of the hole are lined with stones and walrus bones, as is also 

 the passage, the latter supported by walrus ribs usuall}', and covered 

 with earth. The main hole formerly was also covered over with earth, 

 save a small hole to emit the smoke from within, and to admit light 

 from without. This was the style of house (ningloes) which the 

 natives on this island formerly occupied. 



One of the " ningloes," situated about 10 miles from Gambell, is 

 occupied during the late fall and early winter, and an examination of 

 this dwelling gave me a fair impression, no doubt, of the type of 

 underground dwelling. One enters by climbing over a barrier of 

 wood, square shaped, about 2i feet high. Descending 5 feet, one has 

 to stoop so as to walk nearly "on all fours," and follows a slightly 

 curved passageway underground, which leads to the main room. The 

 space below the entrance is a sort of storeroom, I think. The sides 

 are lined with driftwood and wreckage. There are tw^o raised plat- 

 forms about 2 feet high on two sides of the room, to serve as seats or 

 couches. There are closets in the sides of the walls in which utensils 

 and garments are kept. There is a skin cover and a wood cover also, 

 I believe, to the smoke hole in the roof, regulated by ropes from 

 within. The outside appearance of the house resembles a snail and its 

 shell somewhat, as there are slabs of bone protruding from the top of 

 the entrance which look like the snail's '" feelers," and the high mound, 

 8 feet possibly above the level over the living room, resembles the 

 snail's shell. 



Weajjom of former days. — Bows, made of strong wood, protected 

 and rendered lithe by sinew tightly bound about them, and arrows 

 with ivory heads, or later iron heads, were used in war and in hunting. 

 A four-pronged dart or arrow was used in ducking, having one point 

 in front and then others a few inches back. The string of the bow 

 was of stout sinew. One small feather usually sufficed to steady the 

 arrow. Guns have, of course, entirelv .supplanted these weapons. 



An iron-tipped spear was used in war. 



Armm'. — To guard one's body against a spear thrust or the ingress 

 of an arrow, armor was worn. It was made of pieces of wood covered 

 b}' thick seal skin tied together so as to "give play" to the body and 

 legs. It extended from the chest to the knees, and was supported by 

 shoulder straps. It looks like wide hoops tied closely together. The 

 head and arms were protected by a helmet shield, which also was con- 

 structed of w^ood and covered by seal skin. This was fastened to the 

 armor coat and extended 4 or 5 inches above the head; it had fold- 

 ing parts in front, with loops into which the arms and wrists were 



