E. B. Delabarre, Ph. D. 147 



as a head protection, but also as a convenient receptacle for 

 the babies. 



These people are of an essentially sanguine tempera- 

 ment. Of course, they differ much from one another 

 individually, but there are many traits that are true of 

 them in general. They are naturally cheerful, merry, 

 and light-hearted. They are fond of song and music, 

 and have some skill in its production. They seem to 

 be often joking together; are jovial and good-natured, 

 with a well developed sense of humor. These sunny 

 qualities give place at times to darker moods. Quarrels 

 may arise; stealing may occur, though it is rare; murder 

 may be committed, but Mr. Ford, of Nachvak, has known 

 of the occurrence of only three cases. Their emotions are 

 apparently not deeply seated or persistent beyond the imme- 

 diate presence of the exciting cause. They are almost always 

 honest and peaceable, and friendly to the stranger. Warfare 

 is almost unknown among them. They naturally resent 

 injury, as when, as too often happens, the Newfoundland 

 fishermen encroach upon their fishing grounds or steal their 

 wood for huts; but they rarely resort to violence, and when 

 this occurs it is usually under the lead of some one with white 

 blood in his veins. They have an excellent reputation for 

 industry, are active, quick, enduring. Whenever we em- 

 ployed them, we found them willing and eager. They lay by 

 little for the future. When they have plenty they are pretty 

 sure to be generous, and a good hunter will support some- 

 times several families, the rest being content tO' live lazily 

 by the exertions of the one. They can be just as greedy as 

 they are generous, when circumstances are different. They 

 have a good average degree of intelligence — a high degree, 



