234 



THK HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



TOBACCO AND SNUFF. 



All the adults are addicted to the use of tobacco, both for smoking 

 and chewing and in the form of snuff, although it is not everyone 

 that uses tobacco in all three ways. 



The plug tobacco, used for smoking and chewing, is carried in a 

 small pouch of seal skin attached to the belt, which keeps it from being 

 dampened by perspiration or rain. Watches are also carried in the 

 same receptacle. Fig. .'58 (No. 74485) is such a bag, made of hairy 

 seal skin. The edges alone are trimmed with lighter colored strips of 

 seal skin. A string holds the mouth of the bag together after it is 

 rolled up. A loop at one corner enables the bearer to affix; it to his 

 belt when traveling to avoid the necessity of opening the bag in which 

 he usually carries such small things. 



Leaf tobacco is preferred for the preparation of snuft', but as this is 

 not always to be had plug is often used. This is shredded u^) and 



Fig. 58. Tobacco pouch. 



dried, and when dry enough is reducetl to a powder by inclosing a 

 quantity in a f )ld of seal skin and pounding it with a stone or stick. 



Snuff" is kept in a purse-shaped bag, closed at the mouth with a 

 thong. To it is attached a little spoon made of ivory. Various forms 

 of this implement are made. The general appearance is that of a com- 

 mon spoon, of which the ends and sides of the bowl are cut oft". At 

 the end of the handle is a sligiit depression for containing the snuff", 

 which is held firmly against the orifice of the nostril and inhaled by a 

 sudden indrawing of the breath while the tinimb of tlie other hand 

 closes the opposite nostril. 



The old women ajipear more addicted to the use of snuff' than any 

 of the men. The eff'ect of inhaling the strong snuff' is (juii'kly shown 

 in the face. It seems to atfect people more than the use of tobacco in 

 any other way. 



