356 lYORY AND THE ELEPHANT 



in skin and hair; there were also several broken ribs, and a 

 small quantity of flesh, skin, hair, and wool. All these re- 

 mains were comprised within a small area, 10 by 7 ft., on the 

 exposed face of the knoll, and the missing parts are assumed 

 to have been carried away by the slide which bore off a 

 portion of the face of the knoll.* 



The Alaskan region in which most of the Eskimo ivory 

 carving is done lies between the Yukon delta and the lower 

 Kuskokwin, much work of superior excellence being pro- 

 duced in the villages of Askinuk, Kushunuk, Agiukchu- 

 gumut, and other neighbouring settlements. The attractive 

 carvings made by the Eskimo people of Ukagamut were in 

 strongly marked contrast with the squalid conditions of 

 their life. It was also noted that these Alaskan Eskimos 

 had no high opinion of the value of their work, for they were 

 usually very eager to trade off a pretty carving for one or 

 two needles, a brass button, or some such objects of trifling 

 value. t Still the needles, at least, may have had a much 

 greater value for the Eskimo than the visitors supposed. 



Either because of a superstitious fancy, or because of 

 some ascertained practical advantage, the Eskimos of 

 Alaska utilize human fluids to a great extent in the prepara- 

 tion and ornamentation of their fossil or walrus ivory, for 

 it is said to be customary with them to soak the material 

 thoroughly in urine in order to soften it before cutting and 

 carving. It is also frequently moistened with this liquid 

 as the work progresses. Blood mixed with gun-powder is 

 used to make a black dye, which is rubbed into the freshly 

 cut incisions forming the design, to stain them permanently 

 and thus bring them into greater relief. J 



*Quackenbush, op. cit., pp. 107 sqq. 



fEdward William Nelson, " The Eskimo About Bering Strait," 18th Annual Report 

 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, 1896-97, Washington, 1899, Pt. I, p. 196. 



lEdward William Nelson, "The Eskimo About Bering Strait," 18th Annual Report 

 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, 1896-97, Washington, 1899, Pt. I, p. 196. 



