In the Arctic Regions. 433 
or iron; and for fishing, spears tipped with bone. 
They also catch fish with nets and lines, All were 
armed with knives, which they either keep in their 
hand, or thrust up the sleeve of their shirt. They 
had received from the Loucheux Indians some account 
of the destructive effects of guns. The dress of the 
women differed from that of the men only in their 
wearing wide trowsers, and in the size of their hoods, 
which do not fit close to the head, but are made large, 
for the purpose of receiving their children. These 
are ornamented with stripes of different colored skins, 
and round the top is fastened a band of wolf’s hair, 
made to stand erect, Their own black hair is very 
tastefully turned up from behind to the top of the 
head, and tied by strings of white and blue beads, or 
cords of white deerskin. It is divided in front, so as 
to form on each side a thick tail, to which are append- 
ed strings of beads that reach to the waist. The 
women were from four feet and a half to four and 
three-quarters high, and generally fat. Some of the 
younger females, and the children, were pretty. The 
lady whose portrait adorns this work, was mightily 
pleased at being selected by Lieutenant Back for bis 
sketch, and testified her joy by smiles and many jumps. 
Themen, when sitting for their portraits, were more 
sedate, though not less pleased, than the females ; 
some of them remarked that they were not handsome 
19 7 
