MURDOCH. ] SLEDGES. 357 
loops, and wound closely in a spiral around a straight rod of whalebone, 
0-4 inch wide and 0-1 inch thick, as long as the band. The ends of the 
band are knotted into 1ings or beekets about 24 inches in diameter. 
The other two bands are simple, narrow strips of whalebone, running 
straight across through the loops and knotted at the ends into similar 
beckets. These beckets were obviously for tying on the load. 
The sled with side rails does not appear to be used east of the Mae- 
kenzie region, but is found only slightly modified at least as far south 
as Norton Sound.! The sledge used on the Asiatic coast, however, as 
shown in Nordenskiéld’s figure,? belongs to a totally different family, 
being undoubtedly borrowed from the reindeer Chukches.* The sleds 
of the eastern Eskimo vary somewhat in pattern and material, but 
may be described in general terms as essentially the same as_ the unia, 
but usually provided with what is called an “ upstander,” namely, two 
upright posts at each side of the back of the sled, often connected by a 
Fig. 359.—Small toboggan of whalebone. 
cross rail, which serve to guide the sled from behind. Many deserip- 
tions and figures of these sleds will be found in the various descriptions 
of the eastern Eskimo. 
Dogs and harness.—TVhese sledges are drawn by dogs, which, as far as I 
am able to judge, are of the same breed as those used by the eastern 
Eskimo. They are, as a rule, rather large and stout. A number of the 
dogs at Utkiavywin would compare favorably in size with the average 
Newfoundland dogs, and they appear to be capable of well sustained 
exertion. The commonest color is the regular “ brindle” of the wolf, 
though white, brindle-and-white, and black-and-white dogs are not un- 
common. There was, however, but one wholly black dog in the two 
villages. Thiswasa very handsome animal known by the name of Allia 
(“coal”). 
Every dog has his name and knows it. Their disposition is rather 
quarrelsome, especially among themselves, but they are not particu- 
larly ferocious, seldom doing more than howl and yelp at a stranger, 
and it is not difficult usually to make friends with them. There was 
' See Dall’s figure, Alaska, p. 165. 
2 Vega, vol. 1, p. 498. 
3 Compare also the various illustrations in Hooper's ‘Tents of the Tuski.” 
