MURDOCH.] CARVINGS—WHALES. 403 
perhaps were charms to be carried in the boat to secure good luck in 
whaling. No. 89736 [857b|, Fig. 406, from Utkiavwin, is perhaps the 
best proportioned of these figures, though the only details represented 
are the flukes (which are broken), and the incised spiracles. It is 5-4 
inches long and made of 
spruce or hemlock, stained 
almost: black by dirt, 
grease, and weathering. A 
long string of sinew braid 
is tied round the “small.” 
No. 89735 [1036] from 
Utkiavwin, is also arather 
well proportioned figure, 
eG 0G Wand entcaiein ee wunle: rude in execution, with no 
details carved out except 
the flukes, one of which is broken. An angular bit of iron pyrites is 
inlaid to represent the left eye, and a similar piece appears to have been 
lost from the right eye. The anus is represented by a light blue glass 
bead inlaid in the belly. It is 8-8 inches long and made of soft wood, 
probably cottonwood, weathered and stained to a dark brown. It is 
very old and much chipped and cracked. Two small oblique holes in 
the middle of the back make a transverse channel fora string. This 
specimen was said by the man who sold it to have been dug up among 
the ruins of one of the old houses in the village. 
No. 89754 [987] from Nuwiik, is 12 inches long, very broad in propor- 
tion to its length, and rather rude in design, with a flat belly, though 
Fic. 407.—Whale carved from soapstone. 
neatly carved and seraped smooth. The spiracles and the outline of 
the mouth are incised and little angular bits of brown quartz are inlaid 
for the eyes. Both flukes have been split off and part of the right 
fluke has been fastened on again with a single wooden treenail. It is of 
spruce or hemlock and has weathered to a brown color. 
Fig. 407 (No. 89561 [1253] from Utkiavwin) represents the best image 
of a whale in the collection. It is very well proportioned, though per- 
haps a little clumsy about the flukes, with the external details correctly 
represented. It is 45 inches long, neatly carved from soapstone, 
scraped smooth and oiled. It was made for sale. There are tive other 
round soapstone carvings of whales in the collection, but none so good 
