64 ANTHROPOLOGICAL, SURVEY IN ALASKA [kih.ass.m 



practically the same decorated burials were seen by Dall among the 

 Eskimo of Norton Sound (Unalaklik) .* In this case it was prob- 

 ably the Indian habit that was adopted by the near-by Eskimo, for 

 none of the more northern Eskimo practiced such burials. The habit 

 was also known in southeastern Alaska. (PI. 3, b.) 



Jim Walker, the helpful local mix-breed trader, has dug out many 

 of these graves (alone or with Harry Lawrence), and a good many 

 of the objects are said to have been taken away by Father O'Hara. 

 formerly of the Holy Cross Mission. 



According to all indications the stone culture of Bonasila and of 

 Ghost Creek (l 1 /^ miles upstream from Holy Cross) were related, 

 both passing apparently into the Russian period, and that at Ghost 

 Creek continuing down to our times, for there is still living here an 

 old man who belongs to this place which once had a large village. 

 Much could be done yet and saved in both places. 



Saturday, July 3. At last slept, notwithstanding everything, and 

 succeeded even in being warm. 



Breakfast 8.30. for a wonder. Two soft-boiled Seattle eggs, two 

 bits of toast with canned butter (not bad at all), some over-pre- 

 served raspberries, and a faded-looking nearly cold " flapjack " with 

 sirup, also mediocre tea. But all goes here, and the stomach calls 

 for no other attention than to fill it. 



Finishing work, getting further information from the old Indian, 

 writing, and waiting to go away with a trader to Paimute, the first 

 all-Eskimo village. 25 miles farther down the river. Rains occa- 

 sionally, but not very cold. Many gnats when wind moderates. 



Lunch — canned sardines (in this land of fresh salmon!), a bit of 

 toast, some canned fruit, and that unsavory tea. 



Have utilized this day in a profitable manner. Have learned 

 that there was another burial ground about half a mile farther up- 

 stream, behind an elevation. So got a rowboat and with Jim 

 Walker's young boy rowed over. Had to wade through high grass 

 over a wet flat, and then up the rank grass and bush-covered slope, 

 and there found a number of old burials. All rifled, but most of 

 the bones still there. So send boy back, on the quiet — there is above 

 the store the camp of the old man with an old Indian woman and 

 sick girl — for some boxes, and meanwhile collect. It is an unceasing 

 struggle with the mosquitoes and gnats in the tall grass and weeds; 

 but one after another I. find what remains of the usual old box 



' Alaska ami Its Resources, p. in : " Our attention was attracted by the numerous graves. 

 These are well worth the careful attention of the ethnologist; many of them are very old. 

 Tlie usual fashion is to place the hody. doubled up. on its side, in a box of plank hewed 

 out of spruce logs and about i feet long ; this is elevated several feet above the ground 

 on four posts, which project above the coffin or box. The sides are often painted with 

 red chalk, in figures of fur animals, birds, and fishes." 



