THE ESKIMOS. 137 
the front portion of the dwelling. The back part, about 
two-thirds of the apartment, is three feet higher than 
the entrance. 
The front or lower section of the igloe corresponds 
to a front hall, and it is in it that the occupants, as they 
enter, beat the snow off their clothing, or remove their 
outer garments, when they wish to step up into the 
higher living apartment. 
The floor of the entire igloe consists simply of snow, 
but in this upper apartment it is well covered with 
deer-skin robes, so that it is not melted by the warmth 
of those who sit or lie upon it. 
Above the doorway of the igloe is placed a window 
to admit light into the dwelling. This is formed of a 
large square slab of ice, neatly inserted into the wall of 
the dome, and it serves well the purpose for which it is 
intended, admitting a pleasant soft light. Above the 
window a much-needed ventilating hole is usually made. 
This, because of the passing current of warm air, becomes 
rapidly enlarged, and requires to be frequently plastered 
up with snow. 
Sometimes one of the long approaches or corridors is 
made to serve for two or three dwellings, each of which 
is connected by low archways with the innermost of the 
smaller domes. Usually, opening out of the inner dome, 
each family has one or two small pantries, where they 
keep a supply of meat sufficient for a week or two. 
The furniture of the snow-house is much the same as 
that of the skin topick already described, but the 
stone lamps come more into prominence, contributing 
light to the dwelling during the long dark winter nights. 
These lamps are simply stone vessels, usually half 
