AAV. THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 
cially those of the wealthier class, preserve a very tolerable degree of 
conjugal fidelity and certainly do not prostitute themselves to the sail- 
ors. I believe that prostitution for gain is unknown among themselves, 
but it is carried to a most shameless extent with the sailors of the 
whaling fleet by many of the women, and is even considered a laudable 
thing by the husbands and fathers, who are perfectly willing to receive 
the price of their wives’ or daughters’ frailty, especially if it takes 
the form of liquor. Dr. Simpson! says: ‘It is said by themselves that 
the women are very continent before marriage, as well as faithful after- 
ward to their husbands; and this seems to a certain extent true.” But 
he goes on toadd: “In their conduct toward strangers the elderly 
women frequently exhibit a shameless want of modesty, and the men 
an equally shameless indifference, except for the reward of their part- 
ner’s frailty.” It seems to me that he must have been deceived by the 
natives concerning the first statement, since the immorality of these 
people among themselves, as we witnessed it} seems too purely animal 
and natural to be of recent growth or the result of foreign influence. 
Moreover, a similar state of affairs has been observed among Eskimo 
elsewhere, notably at lglulik at the time of Parry’s visit. 
SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS. 
Personal habits, cleanliness, ete—Though the idea of cleanliness 
among these people differs considerably from our ideas, they are as a 
rule far from being as filthy as they appear at first sight. Considering 
the difficulty of obtaining water, even for purposes of drinking, in the 
winter season, the iglu, unless dirty work, like the dressing of skins, 
ete., is going on, is kept remarkably clean. The floor and walls are 
scrupulously scraped and all dirt is immediately wiped up. They are 
particularly careful not to bring in any snow or dirt on their feet, and 
the snow and hoar frost is carefully brushed off from the outer garment, 
which is often removed before entering the room and left in the passage. 
They are also careful not to spit on the floor or in the passage, but use 
for this purpose the large urine tub. This is practically the only offen- 
sive object in the house, as it is freely used by both sexes in the presence 
of the rest. This is done, however, with less exposure and immodesty 
than one would suppose.” 
'Op. cit., p. 252. 
2Second Voyage, }. 529. 
* Compare Nordenskiéld’s account of the comparative cleanliness of the Chukch dwellings at Pitle- 
kaj: ‘On the other hand it may be stated that in order not to make a stay in the confined tent chamber 
too uncomfortable certain rules are strictly observed. Thus, for instance, it is not permitted in the 
interior of the tent to spit on the floor, but this must be done into a vessel which, in case of necessity, 
is used as a night utensil. In every outer tent there lies a specially curved reindeer horn, with which 
snow is removed from the clothes; the outer pesk is usually put off before one goes into the inner tent, 
and the shoes are carefully treed from snow. The carpet of walrus skins which covers the floor of the 
inner tent is accordingly dry and clean. Eyen the outer tent is swept clean and free from loose snow, 
and the snow is daily shoveled away from the tent doors with a spade of whalebone. Every article, 
both in the outer and inner tent, is laid in its proper place, and so on.’ (Vega, vol. 2, p. 104.) 
Aw 
