4 EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



even by tradition, of the art of pottery." These remains were 

 found on the right bank of the river directly opposite the 

 chief's grave mentioned above. They were buried in dry white 

 sand, in which, after further search, I found a number of human 

 bones, which, with those found and reinterred by the Indians, 

 comprised one skeleton of an adult, one disarticulated skull, 

 and the skull of a child about five years of age. The crania are 

 distinctly unlike those of the Crees, as the measurements else- 

 where given show. It seems probable that these remains are of 

 the people that occupied the country before the Cree invasion, 

 and whose skeletons and pottery are found in the Manitoba 

 mounds. 1 



First Moose Hunt. During the month of September, Napa- 

 sis ("Boy"), the best hunter on the reserve, killed several 

 moose in the muskeg, 2 south of the post. Through the efforts 

 of Professor Nutting, during the preceding year, we had 

 secured two mountable moose-skins, but more were needed to 

 complete a series, so I proposed to Napasis that he should 

 "show me how to kill moose." I knew from the experience of 

 the others that he would be quite willing to lead me through the 

 swamps as long as his pay was continued, and that if he found 

 moose he would probably guide me away from them. Why 

 should he give me a moose that he could come next day and 

 kill for himself? I therefore agreed to pay him a dollar and a 

 half a day, to buy the moose that he should kill, and to give 

 him a "present," which, as it seems to be something for noth- 

 ing, is usually more talked about when making the contract, 

 and more highly valued than the wages paid. 



'Dr. Bryce considers this earlier race to have been probably "Toltecan," 

 and gives the northern limit of the country occupied by them at 152° ; this 

 should perhaps be extended to 54°. "The Winnipeg Mound Region," 

 Report A. A. A. Sc. 1889, p. 344. 



2 The muskeg is a characteristic feature of northern topography. From 

 the International Boundary to the Arctic Sea the term is applied to alluvial 

 areas with insufficient drainage over which moss has accumulated to a con- 

 siderable depth. These swamps are usually covered with tamarack and 

 fir trees. The typical muskeg is traversed by meandering streams having 

 deep channels but a scarcely perceptible current. Stagnant pools become 

 coated over with moss of sufficient strength to temporarily sustain the 

 weight of a man. In places the surface is broken by tall hummocks, the 

 tetes des-temmes of the voyageur, which turn under the foot, and sooner or 

 later precipitate the passing pedestrian into the mud or water below. 



