260 KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887. 



head, where it is flattened out into a broad strip, and the other over the 

 arms and across the breast; the two meet behind on a level with the 

 shoulder, and are there attached to lashings, more or less intricate, ac- 

 cording to the nature of the material to be transported. 



" If a box or stiff bag, the breast-band is so arranged in regard to length 

 that when the elbow is placed against it (the box) the strip fits tightly 

 over the extended forearm across the palm of the hand bent backwards. 

 The head-band is then the width of the hand beyond this. At least I 

 saw a few Indians arranging their packs and their harness according 

 to this mode. The harness proper will not weigh over a pound and the 

 lashing according to its length. The strip across the head and breast 

 is of untanned deer-skin about 2 inches wide, with holes or slits in the 

 ends protected from tearing out by spindles of bone or ivory." (Recon. 

 in Alaska, p. 23.) 



" It seemed marvelous beyond measure how these small Indians, not 

 averaging I think over 140 pounds each, could carry 100 pounds up 

 such a precipitous mountain, alternately on steeply inclined glacial snow 

 and treacherous rounded bowlders, where a misstep in many places 

 would have hurled them hundreds of feet down the slope or precipices." 

 (Reconnaisance in Alaska, p. 18.) 



"The Indian then chased the goat, almost keeping up with him, 

 down into the valley where we camped, and up the steep mountain 

 slopes of the eastern side, equally as high as those mentioned, and all 

 this immediately after he had carried over 100 pounds across the trail." 

 ( Recon nai sauce in Alaska, p. 17.) 



"The things were then divided into bundles or packs of as even 

 weight as possible, giving some 50 or 60 pounds to each man. Ar- 

 ranging these packs is a matter of no little difficulty, for the Indian 

 has a great objection to altering his load after he has started, so that 

 you have to give the men carrying the provisions, which grow lighter 

 daily, a heavier load at starting than those who have the canteens or 

 tent to carry. They generally stop for some five minutes 7 rest every 

 half-hour. This they do with surprising regularity. They generally 

 squat near a ledge of rock on which they can rest their burden without 

 removing it. They carry everything the same way, viz, with a band 

 over the forehead, the pack resting on their shoulder-blades or a little 

 below." (Mayne's British Columbia and Vancouver Island, p. 100.) 



Col. Cecil Clay says that the commonest methods used in carrying 

 from the St. Lawrence to the jumping-off place northward and from 

 Labrador to the Pacific is by a u tump-line," a long strap with a broad 

 band in the center. 



The Indians of the Ungrava district are often compelled, by particu- 

 lar conditions of weather, to travel afoot, and while on a journey of 

 this description they must carry the articles necessary to their comfort 

 or the articles they desire to barter and those they receive in return 

 upon their backs. In order that the arms may be free and aid their 



