308 KEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



gradually rolled. Ropes are rove over the top of tlie posts under and 

 over the plate, then back again over the upright. These ropes constitute 

 the parbuckle, which is designed to take the weight of the log and hold 

 it in position. Forked sticks are rested against the log with the^r other 

 ends in the ground to help the parbuckle take the weight as the plate 

 is gradually rolled up, the forked sticks being gradually also shifted up 

 as it rises. By dint of pushing, shoving with poles, and pulling on the 

 parbuckle, the plate is gotten to the top of the incline. It is now a 

 question of lifting the dead weight of the log by means of poles and by 

 pulling on the parbuckle. At last the plate is hauled to the top of the 

 upright and rolled into the hollow in which it rests. The carved 

 totemic columns are raised into position by means of poles, props, 

 and rope guys, and firmly imbedded in the deep hole dug for it in 

 the ground. The whole process is an occasion of much ceremony, 

 and the work occupies but a small part of the time, the remainder 

 being filled in with gambling, dancing, feasting, singing, speech-making, 

 and ceremonial display intended to inspire the visitors and guests with 

 the wealth and prowess of the host» Judge Swan says : 



The self-denial of comforts aud. even necessaries exercised for many years in the 

 accumulation of property by man and wife is very remarkable, but, in their estima- 

 tion, is amply repaid on the occasion of a distribution of the same and the erection of 

 a decorative column, which in many instances stands in front of an unfinished lodge 

 frame as a visible monument of the owner's folly and extravagance. * ' * The 

 owner probably lives in the lodge of some relative, or perhaps is dead. It has been 

 beyond his means to finish his house, but for that he cares little ; his vanity has beer 

 gratified ; his pride satisfied. On the day when he stood presiding over his piles oi 

 goods and chattels, previous to their distribution amongst his eager and expectant 

 guests, he had reached the summit of his ambition. * ' * He is thenceforth a 

 petty chief of the village. 



In some of the very latest types of the houses, instead of the corner 

 posts ii'diid the smaller posts r r supporting the eaves-plates e e, there 

 are four posts aud two heavy rafters similar to g and s. In either case 

 the eaves-plates e, or one similar to s, are beveled to receive the upper 

 ends of the boards forming the side walls of the house, as shown in w 

 and adjacent details. The heavy plank frames h h and 1 1 are beveled, 

 as shown in section q, to receive the boards forming the end walls, or 

 front and back of the house. The top purlines J j jj form the supports 

 for the roof-planking, and are held in place by the superimposed frames 

 u u. The roofing is formed either of planks or slabs of bark held down 

 by rocks, beams and cross-pieces, as shown in Figure 178. The smoke- 

 hole A; is surmounted by a frame p p carrying a shutter o, which is closed 

 in the direction of the wind. This shutter has a motion about the axlQ, 

 pp. When the wind changes and blows down the smoke-hole, a chain 

 or rope is pulled and the shutter revolves to the other position against 

 the wind. As the house faces the channel, and the wind usually draws 

 up or down it, the shutter works to face one side of the house or the 

 other. The entrance is shown at a. Below, the sketch of the house is 

 dotted in the form of the excavated interior. The upper ledge or plat- 



