20 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



The greater part, however, of the articles are of a primitive character, 

 among which, for out-door use, are dog harness, lassos of moose-hide for 

 large animals, and more slender ones, carrying rounded pieces of bone, 

 nut size, to entangle the legs of geese ; different models of the sledge 

 for hauling wood and provisions; a stretcher of deer-skin; bows, with 

 arrows, quivers, and cases ; a long line of whalebone for fishing ; a net 

 of sinew, with bone fish-hooks, fishing floats, spears, throwing-sticks, 

 spear-rests for the deck of the canoe; a whistle or call used in hunting ; 

 snow-shoes and models of canoes ; screens of wood to protect the eyes 

 from show blink, concave on the inner side, with two very narrow slits 

 for looking through. Of the articles relative to indoor occupation are 

 deer-skin boots; white and black wolverine gloves; children's garments, 

 neatly made, of soft materials; capuchons, or coverings for the head; 

 tools, with which this and other work is performed, such as awls, drills, 

 polishing imx>lements, of either jasper or carnelian, frequently of bone; 

 a small leather bag of red paint, with pitch or other cementing material. 

 There are also needles of bone, needle cases of ivory, pouches ornament- 

 ed with beads, for containing sewing fiber. Bunches of this material, 

 arranged as if for a chignon, appear to belong to articles used by 

 women. A rattle of deer or musk-ox hoofs, used in dancing, and bone 

 implements for gambling, suggest the character of native amusements. 



From the same district have been received, through the Rev. W. W. 

 Kirkby, a leather pouch, filled with quills of the porcupine, which are 

 used to ornament moccasins, belts, and fire bags ; also a fur coat made 

 by the Dog Eib Indians. There are not many articles of personal 

 decoration, except some labrets, thick buttons of white limestone, and 

 bits of blue glass, cemented together, to be worn in a slit of the corner 

 of the mouth after the manner of a sleeve button. 



Alaska. — The collections of Mr. W. H. Dall in the Aleutian Islands, 

 at Norton Sound, and in the Yukon region, mentioned in the last report, 

 have been received and are found to be very extensive and interesting. 

 Those from the Aleutian Islands are specimens of native carving in 

 walrus ivory, which exhibit considerable imitative skill in copying the 

 forms of objects introduced by white traders. Among them are a table 

 knife and two spoons, neatly executed. The greater part, however, of 

 Mr. Dall's collection are from the various tribes of Esquimaux living on 

 the shores of Norton Sound, more particularly the articles of clothing 

 made of furs and leather, prepared from the skins of the deer and other 

 animals. These consist of outer and inner garments, for both sexes, and 

 of boots, gloves, and mittens. It would appear from the specimens that 

 the skins of the larger fishes, and also of the seal, are used for articles 

 of dress, adapting the material to the change required for winter and 

 summer. From the region of the River Yukon there are snow-shoes, 

 moccasins, fur dresses, straw-shoes and boots, for riding and dancing, 

 all made and used by the Mahlemuts. The domestic implements of 

 the people are exhibited in a series of spoons or dippers, made of the 



