56 THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 
very abundant some years, and they recognize a tiny shrewmouse (Sorex 
forsteri). This little animal is called ugriine, a word corresponding to 
the name ugssungnak given to the same animal in Labrador, which, 
according to Kleinschmidt,! is an ironical application of the name of 
the largest seal, ugssuk (ugru at Point Barrow), to the smallest mammal 
known to the Eskimo. The same name is also applied at Point Barrow 
to the fossil ox, whose bones are sometimes found. The most abundant 
land animal, however, is the reindeer, ti’/ktu (Rangifer tarandus groen- 
landicus), which is found in winter in great herds along the upper waters 
of the rivers, occasionally coming down to the coast, and affords a very 
important supply of food. 
The moose, ti/ktuwitn, or “big reindeer” (Alce machlis), is well known 
from the accounts of the Nunatanmiun, who bring moose skins to trade. 
Some of the natives have been east to hunt the mountain sheep, i/mnér 
(Ovis canadensis dalli), and all are familiar with its skin, horns, and 
teeth, which they buy of the eastern natives. The musk ox, uminmau 
(Ovibos moschatus), is known only from its bones, which are sometimes 
found on the tundra. Inland, near the rivers, they also find a large 
brown bear, a/kqlak, which is probably the barren ground bear, while 
on the ice-pack, the polar bear, ni/nu (Thalassarctos maritimus), is not 
uncommon, sometimes making raids on the provision storehouses in 
the villages. 
The most important sea animal is the little rough seal, nétyik (Phoca 
feetida), which is very abundant at all seasons. Its flesh is the great 
staple of food, while its blubber supplies the Eskimo lamps, and its skin 
serves countless useful purposes. The great bearded seal, igru (Erigna- 
thus barbatus), is less common. It is especially valued for its hide, 
which serves for covering the large boats and making stout harpoon 
lines. Two other species of seal, the harbor seal, kasigia (Phoca 
vitulina), and the beautiful ribbon seal, kaix6lin (Phoca fasciata), are 
known, but both are uncommon, the latter very rare. 
Herds of walrus, ai/bwék (Odobzenus obesus), pass along the coast 
in the open season, generally resting on cakes of floating ice, and are 
pursued for their hides and ivory as well as their flesh and blubber. 
Whales, akbwék, of the species Balena mysticetus, most pursued for 
its oil and whalebone, travel along the coast in the leads of open water 
above described from the middle of April to the latter part of June in 
large nuinbers, and return in the autumn, appearing about the end of 
August. White whales, kilélua (Delphinapterus sp.), are not uncom- 
mon in the summer, and they say the narwhal, tugdlin (Monodon 
monoceros), is occasionally seen. They are also acquainted with another 
cetacean, which they call 4xlo, and which appears from their description 
to be a species of Orea. 
Birds.—In the spring, that is during May and the early part of June, 
vast flocks of migrating ducks pass to the northeast, close to the shore, 
! Grenlandsk Ordbog, p. 386. 
