i6o 



EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



ing eyes and dishevelled hair, was always greeted with jeers. A 

 hunchback, of apparently vicious disposition, was silently 

 ignored, though he seemed to be in fear of even the boys. 



Population. The officers of the company, of whom I inquired 

 concerning the Indian population, were of the opinion that the 

 number of inhabitants had not materially changed during the 

 past twenty years. 



I am indebted to Mr. J. S. Camsell for the following census 

 which was prepared for the Canadian Government. 



Population of the Mackenzie River District. 



MEN. WOMEN. BOYS. GIRLS. TOTAL. June '8l. 1858. 



708 917 942 879 3646 3851 2966 



It will be seen that this vast area is but thinly populated. It 

 is not probable that their relations with the traders will have 

 any material effect upon their numbers. The inhabitants of 

 the trading stations during the winter of 'o.3-'94 were upon the 

 verge of starvation themselves, and certainly could not have 

 relieved the natives in case of famine. The use of improved 

 firearms insures the extermination of the game birds and mam- 

 mals of the country, so that the ultimate destiny of the North- 

 ern Athabascans is to become fishermen. 



Lodges. The caribouskin lodge 1 is supported by a frame- 

 work of twelve to thirty poles. In pitching camp in winter, 

 sticks are thrust through the snow in order to find solid earth 

 for a floor; if the stick enters soft moss the place is avoided, as 

 the camp fire would spread and undermine the lodge. When 

 a suitable site is found the men clear away the snow with their 



1 See p. 25, ante. 



