296 



THE HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



always subsequent to that of briugnng the skins into the pliable condi- 

 tion. 



The process adopted by these Indians in smoking the deerskins is 

 as follows: The woods are searched for rotten wood of a special 

 character. It must be aifecited with a kind of dry rot whicli renders 

 the fibers of a spongy nature. This is procured and thoroughly dried. 



The skins to be smoked are 

 selected and two of nearly 

 the same size and condition 

 are chosen, and sewed into 

 tlie form of a bag with the 

 Fio. io6.-Paint stick. Nenei...t. hairy side withiu. The after 



poi-tions of the skin are suspended from a convenient i>ole and the head 

 and neck portions left free or open. To the edges of these is sewed a 

 cloth, usually a piece of baling cloth, and this is also left open. The 

 rotten wood is jdaced in a pan or vessel and as it smol- 

 ders, never burning into a blaze, the pale, bhxe, pungent 

 smoke is allowed to ascend within the cavity of the 

 deerskin bag. The cloth is merely to form a conduit for 

 the smoke as the skin should not be too near the fire. 



As the ])rocess continues tlie skins are in.spected be- 

 tween the stitches of the sewing and when the opera- 

 tion has progressed sufficiently they are taken down. 

 It will now be found that the surface has assumed a 

 pale, clear brown color, the shade of which depends on 

 the length of the exposure to the smoke. 



The cloth is removed and tlie skins are immediately 

 folded, with the smoked side within, and laid away for 

 several days to season.- If, however, the skin be left to 

 the influence of the air the coloring matter immediately 

 disappears leaving it of a color only slightly different 

 from what it was before it was smoked. 



The scars, made by the larva^ of the insects, do not '''" '"'■ 



"take" the smoke as well as the healthy portions and so present a 

 1 lifted or scaly appearance. From the skins having an abundance of 

 the scars are made the tents and inferior grades of moccasins and the 



tops of the betterclass of foot- 

 wear. 



The paints used for decorating 

 the buckskin garments are ap- 

 plied by means of bits of bone 

 or horn of a peculiar shape best understood from the figures (Figs. 

 KMi-llO). 



Those with two, three or four tines are used for making the compli- 

 cated patterns of parallel lines, and are always made of antler, while 

 the simple form is sometimes of wood. 



Fio. 108.— P.lint. stick. Nencnot. 



