ACEOSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA 



If the point of the spear misses the bird, one of the side 

 fingers is likely to pierce it or catch it between the fingers 

 and the spear handle. 



In this way ptarmigan, ducks, and other land and sea fowl 

 are obtained in considerable numbers. They are usually 

 speared while sitting in flocks upon the snow or in the water, 

 but they are also frequently killed in this way when on the 

 wing. Sometimes the. bow and arrow is used for bringing 

 doAvn the feathered game, but the spear is the instrument 

 chiefly employed. 



Fishing. 



Fish are caught both by spearing and with the hook. The 

 latter is of the crudest design and is used in trolling. A troll 

 consists of a heavy iron hook, fastened to the face of a small 

 ivory disk, to which is attached a fine, strong line, made from 

 plaited deerskin sinews. 



Fish are not, however, caught so much with the hook as 

 they are by the spear. Indeed, it is chiefly by means of the 

 harpoon and spear that the Eskimo larder is supplied. The 

 fish-spear is a kind of three-pronged barbed fork, fastened to 

 a handle, and is used chiefly for spearing flsh through the 

 ice, and with good results in the hands of an expert. 



I tried my hand at flsh spearing in the north, but lacked 

 the patience necessary for success. Many times, however, I 

 purchased from the Eskimos the magniflcent trout and white- 

 fish by which their efforts were rewarded. 



The Eskimo method of spearing is as follows: First, the 

 most favorable spot in the lake or river is selected, and then 

 a hole is cut through the ice. With some kind of a bait, which 

 they lower into the water by means of a string, they endeavor 

 to attract the flsh to the hole. When they appear they are 

 thrust through by the spear and hauled out upon the ice. 

 Great numbers of beautiful flsh are caught by the Eskimos 

 in this way during the fall and winter seasons. 



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