84 ANTHROPOLOGICAL SUEVEY IN ALASKA [eth.ann.46 



is very evident, in this case there having in all probability been an 

 adaptation of methods by the Eskimo from the Indians. 



18. Archeological prospects along the delta flats occupied by the 

 Eskimo appear very limited. 



St. Michael 



Thursday, July 15. In the morning, after a good trip, reach St. 

 Michael — quite a town from a distance, with many boats on the 

 shore in front of it; but soon find that it is largely a dead city and 

 ships' graveyard, not harbor. With the gold rush over, and the Gov- 

 ernment railroad from Seward to the Tanana, men and business 

 have departed. Before the summer is over most of the large build- 

 ings and the fine large boats are to be demolished, and there will 

 be left but a lonely village. 



Unload my collections on the old dock. The postman kindly comes 

 down from his place, which, with Mr. Williams's store, is far up on 

 the hill above the harbor, the boxes are weighed and stamped for 

 the parcel post, and relieved of them I go to the hotel and spend the 

 day in visiting the teacher, the marshal, Mr. Williams's store, where 

 I see a whole lot of recent Eskimo ceremonial masks decorated with 

 colors and feathers, and the wireless station to send a message to the 

 Institution. All native (Eskimo) character is almost gone from the 

 place, what remains being mainly civilized mix bloods; and also 

 little, if anything, remains to be collected, particularly now when all 

 vacant land is thickly overgrown with grass and weeds. An occa- 

 sional skull appears, one having been seen recently on the beach and 

 one on Whale Island, but there is little besides, though things could 

 be found doubtless by excavation. 



Items of interest in Mr. Williams's store, and also in that of the 

 N". C. Co., are various articles cut handsomely by the Eskimo 

 from walrus ivory, both fresh and " fossil " (old and nicely dis- 

 colored). There are beads, napkin rings, hairpins, cigar and ciga- 

 rette holders, and other objects, generally exceedingly well made and 

 decorated. It is, of course, well known that the Eskimo are very apt 

 in this work; it is not, however, so well known that every island 

 or village has certain specialties and types of decoration. This is 

 so true that an observer before long can tell in many instances just 

 where a given article has been made. 



The fossil ivory industry is, it was soon learned, becoming a 

 serious detriment to archeological work in these regions; of which, 

 however, more later. 



During the day I find that a small boat, the Silver Wave, belong- 

 ing to Lomen Bros., will leave St. Michael for Nome that same eve- 

 ning. As this suits me very well I engage a berth on the boat, help 



