MURDOCH. ] CARVINGS—ANIMALS 401 
to have been dipped in the oil-bucket to make it look old. Both the 
images bear a strong re- 
semblance to the rude 
carvings of walruses 
from Siberia figured by 
Nordenskiéld.' No. 
89570 [1271] from Nu- 
wik is of soapstone, 2 
inches long, with tusks 
rudely carved from wal- 
rus ivory. The head is 
but roughly indicated, 
while the body is shaped 
like a slug, and is bifid 
at the pointed end to 
represent the hind flip- 
pers. The eyes and nos- 
trils are roughly incised. 
The seal, on the other hand, is a favorite object for artistic represen- 
tation. It is seen often, as already described, as a decoration on vari- 
ous implements, especially the drag lines, generally in a very charac- 
teristic shape, and the five seal images in the collection are excellent in 
design and execution. Almost all are decidedly superior to those from 
Fic. 403.—Rude ivory tigures of walrus. 
Fic. 404.—Images of seal—wood and bone. 
Pitlekaj, figured by Nordenskidld.' All are newly made except No. 
89737 [857a]. Fig. 404a, from Utkiavwin, which is 4:2 inches long, and” 
made of spruce, very old, weathered, and discolored with dirt and grease. 
It is nicely carved and scraped smooth, and is very good in its general 
proportions, though the details are not represented as in the other 
images. 
' Vega, vol. 2, p. 142. 
9 ETH 26 
