294 



THE HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



To remove the adherent particles on the flesh side of the skiu a pe- 

 ciiliiu- instrument has been devised. The tibia, or large bone of the 

 hind leg of the reindeer, is used for tlus purpose (Fig. 104). The pe- 

 culiar shape of the bone renders it particularly well adapted to form a 

 combination of saw, chisel, and gouge at the same time. The lower 

 portion of tlie bone is cut squarely off. A part 

 of one side of the remainder is cut so as to leave 

 one side (the inner side of the bone) in the shape 

 of a chisel, having either a straight edge or else 

 slightly rounded. On this edge are cut a num- 

 ber of fine notches, which give the edge of the 

 instrument a serrated form. Some of the bones 

 have a spatula-shaped piece of iron or steel cut 

 with tlie serrations upon it and the metal piece 

 set in the cavity of the bone. If the leg of a deer 

 is not convenient a wooden handle shaped like 

 the long handle of a mortising chisel is fashioned, 

 and to it is afiixed the metal point by means of 

 stout lashings (Fig. 105). Around tlie upper por- 

 tion of the wooden shaft a notch or groove is cut, 

 and in this is tied a stout thong in such manner 

 as to form a loop to i)revent the hand from slip- 

 ping down the smooth bone when the blow is 

 struck. 



The manner of using this instrument is peculiar 

 and effective. The skin is thrown, with the flesh 

 side up, over a stake 2 or 3 feet high driven 

 firmly into the ground. The person kneels down 

 before the stake, and when the skin is placed so 

 as to afford a convenient portion to begin upon, 

 an edge is taken between the fingers of the left 

 hand and lifted slightly from the ground. A blow 

 is given with the tool which separates the sub- 

 cutaneous tissue, and by rightly directed blows 

 this may be separated from the skin entire. 

 The skin is then laid aside for further working. The subcutaneotis 

 tissue is washed and dried, after which it is used for a variety of pur- 

 poses, such as coverings for bundles of dried meat and other articles. 



Tlie skin is worked over with this instrument to free it from a portion 

 of its moisture and is now ready to receive the tanning material which 

 consists of a mixture of putrefying brain, liver, and fat. They some- 

 times soak the skin in wine, which is reputed to add greatly to the last- 

 ing qualities of the leather, but the odor of that liquid lasts as long as 

 the skin. 



The tanning material is laid on the flesh side of the skin in a thin 

 layer and by rubbing with the hands it is well worked in. Several 



Fio. 105.— Skiu-cleanillg tool. 

 irou-bla<lecl. Nenenot. 



