BoAs.l CUSTOMS RELATING TO BIRTH AND DEATH. 611 



months the child gets a third suit of clothes the same as formerly 

 described (p. 557). Then the second gown is exposed for some time 

 on the toiD of the hut, the first one being taken down, and both are 

 carefully preserved for a year. After this time has expired both arc 

 once more exposed on the top of a pole and then siink into the sea, a 

 portion of the birdskiu dri'ss alone bciiii; kept, for this is considered 

 a powerful amulet and is luM in hii^h i stt-rm and worn every fall at 

 the Sedna feast on the ixiiiit nt tin- IkkhI (see p. 604). I have stated 

 that those who were born in abnormal presentations wear women's 

 dresses at this feast and must make their round in a direction oppo- 

 site to the movement of the sun. Captain Spicer, of Groton, Conn., 

 affirms that the bird used for the first clothing is chosen according 

 to a strict law, every month having its own bird. So far as I know, 

 waterfowl are used in summer and the ptarmigan in winter, and 

 accordingly the men are called at the great autumn feast the ducks 

 and ptarmigans, the former including those who were born in sum- 

 mer, the latter those born in winter. 



As long as any portion of the navel string remains a strip of seal- 

 skin is worn around the belly. 



After the birth of her child the mother must observe a great num- 

 ber of regulations, referring' particularly to food and work. She is 

 not allowed for a whole year to eat raw meat or a part of any ani- 

 mal killed by being shot through the heart. In Cumberland Sound 

 she must not eat for five days anything except meat of an animal 

 killed by her husband or by a boy on his first hunting expedition. 

 This custom seems to be observed more strictly, however, and for a 

 longer period if the new born child dies. Two months after delivery 

 she miist make a call at every hut, while before that time she is not 

 allowed to enter any but her own. At the end of this period she must 

 also throw away her old clothing. The same custom was observed 

 by Hall among the Nugumiut (I, p. 426). On the western shore 

 of Hudson Bay she is permitted to re-enter the hut a few days after 

 delivery, but must pass in by a separate entrance. An opening is 

 cut for the purpose through the snow wall. She must keep a little 

 skin bag hung up near her, into which she must put a little of her 

 food after each meal, having first put it up to her mouth. This is 

 called laying up food for the infant, although none is given to it 

 (Hall II. p. 173). I have already mentioned that the parents are not 

 allowed in the first year after the birth nf a child to take part in the 

 Sedna feast. 



The customs which are associated with the death of an infant are 

 very complicated. For a whole year, when outside the- hut, the mother 

 must have her head covered with a cap. or at least with a piece of 

 skin. If a ground seal is caught she miist throw away the old cap 

 and have a new one made. The boots of the deceased are always 

 carried about by the parents when traveling, and whenever they stop 



