A SUMMER VOYAGE TO THE ARCTIC 



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KAYAKKR IN UMANAK FIORD 



hunt the seal, walrus, narwlial, reindeer, hear, and smaller <j;anie — 

 birds and fisli — with which the region is stocked. Wy far tlie 

 most important of these, to them, is the hair-seal, called h}' them 

 " puisse," man}' varieties of which are found on this coast. The 

 skin is used for clothing, lioat covering, and tents, the liluhhcr 

 for fuel and illuminating oil, and the flesh for food. The highest 

 ambition of a young Eskimo is to become a successful seal- 

 catcher'. For this pursuit they have developed some of the most 

 ingenious ap])liances ever invented by a primitive people. In 

 the summer they use the kayak, a skin boat which is a model of 

 ingenuity^ lightness, and gracefulness. With these small, frail 

 boats, sometimes not over 18 inches wide, they do not hesitate 

 to go out into open water and to attack large animals, such as the 

 seal or walrus. The more expert can i)erfonn remarkable feats, 

 the most astonishing of wdiich is for the kayaker to turn com- 

 pletely over, boat and all, and right himself again without get- 

 ting out of the kayak, and without getting a drop of water into 

 it. He wears a waterproof shirt tied closely altout the small 



