HBDLICKA] WRITER'S TRIP ON YUKON 95 



easier slope, facing; the larger island across a strait seemingly about 

 a mile broad. There are but a few dwellings, due to local necessities 

 and conditions built above ground and outside of stone. One that 

 was entered showed a dark foreroom, a storage attic, and a cozy 

 somewhat lighted living and sleeping back room, entered through 

 a low and narrow entrance. The houses seem to be built on old 

 debris of habitations, and there are refuse heaps, one of which was 

 eventually worked in by Doctor Jenness, though without much 

 profit. 



The bowlder-covered slope above the village was the burial ground 

 of the natives. (PI. 5. />.) Unfortunately most of the skeletal re- 

 mains have been collected by a former teacher and then left and lost. 

 With Doctor Jenness and the present teacher, himself an Eskimo, we 

 climb from bowlder to bowlder and collect what remains. The work 

 is both risky to the limbs and difficult in other respects. The large 

 bowlders are piled up many deep; and there being little or no soil, 

 there are all sorts of holes and crevices between and underneath the 

 stones. Deep in these crevices, completely out of sight or reach, nest 

 innumerable birds (the little auk), and their chatter is heard every- 

 where. But into these impenetrable crevices also have fallen many 

 of the bones and skulls of the bodies that have been " buried " among 

 the bowlders, and also doubtless many of the smaller articles laid 

 by the bodies. 



The burials here were made in any suitable space among the rocks. 

 The body was laid in this space, without any coffin and evidently 

 not much clothing. About it and on the rocks above were placed 

 various articles. We found clay lamps, remnants of various wooden 

 objects, the bone end pieces of lances, and finally one or two pieces 

 of driftwood to mark the place. Here the bodies decayed and what 

 was left had either tumbled or was washed by rain into the crevices. 

 It was suggested, however, that much may have been taken by dogs 

 and foxes. Some of the skulls and here and there one of the Larger 

 bones remained, to eventually be covered by moss and eroded. With 

 the help of Doctor Jenness and the teacher I was able to find five 

 male and seven female crania in fair condition, which will be of 

 much value in the study of this interesting contingent of the Eskimo. 



No evidence in the graveyard among the rocks of any great an- 

 tiquity, nothing more than perhaps a few scores of years. But traces 

 of older burials would surely be completely lost among the rocks, 

 though they may lie in the deep crevices and holes where they can 

 not be reached. 



Upon return am treated to a cup of good hot coffee — never can 

 get a real hot cup of coffee on the boat — and excellent bread, made 

 by the Eskimo wife of the teacher ; and see his family of fine chubby 



