216 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT (ETH. ANN. 18 
two holes through each end for the cords by which they are fastened 
to the foot. Figure 69(1 and 1a) show the upper and lower surfaces 
of a broader and heavier pair of ice creepers from the Diomede islands. 
They are turned up at the ends to retain them in place on the foot, and 
have four rows of pyramidal points along the lower surface. 
Figure 69 (2 and 4), from St Michael and St Lawrence island, respec- 
tively, represent ivory creepers with a row of pyramidal points along 
each side. Through the middle, between the rows of points, is cut a 
Fic. 69—Ice creepers (3). 
long, rectangular slot, and in the ends of each are holes for the cords 
by which they are fastened on. 
Other creepers of similar style were obtained trom Plover bay on 
the Siberian shore. 
BOATS 
The Eskimo of the Alaskan coast, the islands of Bering strait, and 
the coast of Siberia use large open boats, varying in length from fifteen 
to forty feet, and made by covering a wooden framework with seal- 
skin or walrus-hide. These are the umiaks so well known from their 
use by Greenlanders. Among the people from the head of Norton 
sound and northward to Point Barrow, these boats are known as 
u!-mi'-ak; among the Unalit of the eastern shore of Norton sound and 
southward they are called an/-i-juk. They vary in size according to 
locality or to the purpose for which they are made, and their pattern 
also varies slightly with the locality. Originally they were propelled 
by paddles, after which slender-blade oars were adopted in some locali- 
ties, and these are still used. 
Although oars are in common use, yet it is not rare to see umiaks 
propelled wholly by paddles, as was done in ancient times. Paddles 
