ESKIMO ETHNOLOGICAL MATERIAL T gn 



Another model that I noticed had a curved projection be- 

 tween the thumb and forefinger which prevented the hand from 

 slipping forward. 



Mode Of Burial. Soon after my arrival at Herschel Island, the 

 death of an old woman gave me an opportunity to see how an 

 Eskimo funeral was conducted. The preliminary ceremonies 

 were concluded before I heard of it, but I was an interested 

 spectator at the tomb. The corpse was wrapped in two woolen 

 blankets, a robe of heavy winter caribouskin, and a robe of 

 light summer skin; the clothing of the deceased, consisting of 

 calico and Siberian reindeerskin frocks, was laid over the body, 

 and the whole was enclosed with several yards of gray flannel, 

 securely lashed with seal thong. Two heavy logs, 6 to 8 feet 

 long, were placed transversely at the head and foot of the 

 corpse, which was laid upon the surface of the ground. Smaller 

 logs were laid across these, parallel with and entirely covering 

 the body. Short, heavy pieces were inclined against the sides 

 and placed across the top, making the whole about 3 feet high. 

 A medium sized kumotik, in good condition, was left beside 

 the tomb. Knives, needles, and other personal property were 

 placed with the body, showing that six years of contact with 

 the whites had not affected their burial customs. 



Crania. 



While at Grand Rapids, I obtained three crania and the 

 greater part of three skeletons belonging to the race which 

 occupied the Winnipeg region prior to the advent of the Crees; 

 also two skeletons of Wood Crees. At McLeod I collected the 

 cranium of a Piegan. I secured two Dog Rib skeletons at Rae; 

 and at various points between the mouth of the Mackenzie 

 River and Herschel Island, I collected nine crania of Western 

 Eskimos. 



A few of the most important cranial measurements are pre- 

 sented here; the small number prevents a detailed account 

 being given. The cranial capacity was obtained with a set of 

 Broca's gauging instruments and No. 8 shot. 



