ESQUIMAUX. 393 



earth, or drift- timber, which, is very abundant in some places. 

 In the north, however, wood becomes extremely rare. The 

 Esquimaux at the northern end of Baffin's Bay, * who had 

 no wood, excepting twigs of a dwarfish heath, were so little 

 acquainted with the nature of timber that several of them 

 successively seized on the spare top-mast of the Isabella, 

 evidently with the intention of stealing it, and quite 

 unconscious of its weight. In the absence of wood their 

 houses were built of ice and snow ; those of ice are 

 beautiful, and almost transparent, so that even at some 

 little distance it is possible to see everything that takes place 

 in them. They are much colder than those of snow, which 

 therefore are generally preferred. West of the Rocky 

 Mountains, the winter houses were usually underground. 

 A Kamskatchadale " yourt " is thus described by Captain 

 Cookrf "An oblong square, of dimensions proportionate 

 to the number of persons for whom it is intended (for it 

 is proper to observe that several families live together in 

 the same jourt), is dug into the earth to the depth of about 

 six feet. Within this space strong posts, or wooden pillars, 

 are fastened in the ground, at proper distances from each 

 other, on which are extended the beams for the support of 

 the roof, which is formed by joists resting on the ground 

 with one end and on the beams with the other. The inter- 

 stices between the joists are filled up with a strong wicker- 

 work, and the whole covered with turf; so that a jourt has 

 externally the appearance of a low round hillock. A hole is 

 left in the centre, which serves for chimney, window, and 

 entrance, and the inhabitants pass in and out by means of a 

 strong pole (instead of a ladder) notched deep enough to 

 afford a little holding for the toe." More often, however, 

 the entrance consisted of an underground passage. 



* Ross, Baffin's Bay, p. 122. 



f Cook's Yoyages to the Pacific Ocean, vol. iii. p. 374. See also vol. iii. p. 450, 



