272 THE HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



structed coffin aud covered with dirt. A small branch from a tree wasi 

 placed at the head of the grave, but with what signification I could 

 not satisfactorily determine. I received the reply that the white men 

 put something at the head of their graves, and so do the Indians. 



Away from the post the Indians suspend their dead from the 

 branches of trees, if the ground be frozen too hard to excavate, aud 

 endeavor to return in the following summer and inter the body. A 

 person who has distinguished himself among the people is often buried 

 where the fire has been long continued within the tent and thawed the 

 ground to a suflicieut depth to cover the body. The tent is then re- 

 moved to another location. The Indians have not that dread of a 

 corpse which is shown so plainly among the Eskimo. The former have 

 been known to strii) the clothing from recently deceased Eskimo, and 

 it is not infrequent for them to appropriate the gun or other implement 

 placed by the side of a dead Innuit. 



In response to my inquiry how they disi)osed of their dead in former 

 ages, I obtained evidence that scaffold burial and suspension from trees 

 were formerly practiced and that subterranean burials were introduced 

 by the missionaries. 



The dead are mourned for according to the position they occupied in 

 life, a favorite child often causing au alarming grief in the mother who 

 mourns for many days, constantly bemoaning her loss and reminding 

 the listeners of the traits in the child's nature so well remembered. 

 The body is taken to the place of tinal rest by the friends, the relations 

 seldom accompanying it. 



The life of these people is a constant struggle to obtain food and 

 raiment. Nothing, however unimportant, is done without much delib- 

 ation and repeated consultation witli friends. 



They are also guided to a great extent by their dreams, for they im- 

 agine thatiu the night they are in direct communication with the spirits 

 which watch over theirdaily occupations. Certain persons obtain nuich 

 renown in divining the dreams and these are consulted with the great- 

 est confidence. The drum is brought into use, and during its tumult 

 the person passes into a state of stupor or trance and in a few mo- 

 ments arouses himself to reveal the meaning of the other's dream. 



Superstition holds these people in its terrible sway and everything 

 not understood is attributed to the working of one of the numerous 

 spirits. 



Every object, however simple, appears to have its patron spirit, 

 which, in order that it may perform its services for the welfare of the 

 people, must be propitiated with offerings most pleasing and acceptable 

 to it. The rule seems to be that all si)irits are by nature bad, and 

 must be propitiated to secure their favor. Each person has a i^atron 

 spirit, aud these must always be iilacated lest misfortune come. These 

 spirits assume an infinite variety of forms, and to know Just what form 

 it assumed when it inflicted its baneful effects, the shamans or medicine 



