cCULIN] QUOITS : ESKIMO 723 
ESKIMAUAN STOCK 
Eskimo (Western). Liesnoi island, Alaska. (Cat. no. 90436, United 
States National Museum.) 
Eleven flat polished ivory disks (figure 947), 12 inches in diameter 
and one-fourth of an inch thick. Five have a single comma- 
shaped hole in the middle, and five three holes in a line across 
the piece. The eleventh piece appears to belong to another set. 
Collected by W. J. Fisher, Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
This appears to be the game observed by Mr Iven Petroff* among 
the Kaviagmiut : 
The Kaniags were inveterate gamblers. They frequently lost all their pos- 
sessions in a game they called ** kaganagah,” which was played as follows: Two 
seal-skins were spread out at a distance of 8 or 10 feet from each other, and a 
fiat, round piece of bone, about the size of a silver eagle was deposited upon 
each, the edge of the disk being marked with four black dots. The players, 
whose number was never more than four, but generally two, divided into two 
Fic. 447. Ivory gaming disks; diameter, 1! inches; Western Eskimo, Alaska; cat. no. 90436, 
United States National Museum. 
parties, and each put up some article of value. Each gambler had five wooden 
disks, and these he threw from the edge of one skin to the other, trying to cover 
the bone disk. When all the disks had been thrown, the players examined their 
relative positions. If the bone disk had been covered, the lucky thrower received 
from his opponent three bone sticks, or marks; but if he had covered only one of 
the black dots of the disk he received two marks, and the wooden disk which had 
fallen nearest to the bone procured for the thrower one mark, and the marks 
were subsequently redeemed with valuables. 
Kodiak island, Alaska. 
Capt. Uriy Lissiansky ” says: 
The Cadiack men are so fond of gaming that they often lose everything they 
possess at play. They have a very favorite game called kroogeki. Four or 
more men play at it; that is, two against two, or three against three. Two 
skins are spread on the ground, at the distance of about 12 feet from each other, 
On each skin is placed a round flat mark made of bone, about 44 inches in 
circumference, with a black circle and center marked on it. Every player has 
five wooden pieces, like what are called men in the game of draughts or back- 
gammon, and distinguished in the same manner by color. The players kneel, 
and, stretching themselves forward, lean on the left hand, throwing the 
«Tenth Census. Report on the Population, Industries, and Resources of Alaska, p. 143, 
Washington, 1884. 
*A Voyage round the World, p. 210, London, 1814. 
