48 <J- Holm. 



A little hand lance (fig. 151 b). 



A scraping-bone for scraping the ice off the kaiak and hunting 

 implements (fig. 93). 



An implement for inserting the guts of the killed seal, when it 

 is to be towed along (figs. 152, 153). 



Drag handles for towing the killed seal (figs. 162 to 164). 



A little bladder or float for placing on a lean seal which 

 has been captured, to prevent it sinking when it is to be towed 

 along. 



The bone buttons on the kaiak are often carved so as to re- 

 present seals (fig. 95). The kaiak-stand and the throwång-stick for 

 the harpoon are likewise often richly adorned with ivory figures. 

 The handles and toggles of all kinds of thongs for binding and 

 towing the captured animal, are carved in the form of seals (fig. 162). 



Seal hunting from kaiak. — The implement used in seal 

 hunting from the kaiak is the harpoon , w^hich in throwing is 

 released from the throwàng-stick, the latter being retained in the 

 hand. The toggle-head penetrates the seal, the shaft bounds away 

 and floats on the water, and the toggle turns crosswise in the seal. 

 As soon as the harpoon has been thrown (fig. 102), the kaiaker 

 must be quick to throw the harpoon-line and the float attached to 

 it, overboard, for when the seal dives under, it will capsize the 

 kaiak, if the line has caught hold of it. The float is intended to 

 impede the seal in its movements, it being unable to carry the 

 latter with it down under water. The kaiaker follows the float as 

 it bobs along the water, until the seal comes up to the surface once 

 more. He then hurls the lance in order to wound the animal still 

 more. The foieshaft breaks off, as it strikes, but is still kept in 

 communication with the head with the aid of the assembling line. 

 The lance does not stick in the animal, but rebounds. By means 

 of the lance the animal is thus wounded again and again, until it 

 is so exhausted that the hunter can get alongside of it, and kill it 

 with the hand lance or a long knife. 



Hunting from the kaiak is often a dangerous and trying pur- 

 suit, especially in bad weather and when the breakers are heavy. 

 A high degree of skill and agility is required for it, and it trains 

 and develops the Greenlanders to a welinigh incredible hardiness. 



Customs connected with hunting. — I shall here mention 

 some customs connected with hunting from the kaiak. 



Bearded seals, crested seals, and Greenland seals are shared 

 among the hunters who Ьал'е been present at the hunt, though 



