SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 255 



outside, covered with earth, had nearly a 

 hemispherical form, and round its base there 

 were ranged the skulls of twenty-one whales. 

 There was a square hole in the roof, and the 

 central log of the floor had a basin-shaped 

 cavity, one foot in diameter, which was, 

 perhaps, intended for a lamp. The general 

 attention to comfort in the construction of 

 the village, and the erection of a building 

 of such magnitude, requiring an union of 

 purpose in a considerable number of people, 

 are evidences of no small progress towards 

 civilization. Whale skulls were confined to 

 the large building, and to one of the dwell- 

 ing-houses, which had three or four placed 

 round it. Many wooden trays, and hand- 

 barrows for carrying whale-blubber were 

 lying on the ground, most of them in a state 

 of decay. ,, 



One more extract respecting this people, 

 and we have done with them. 



" The females, unlike those of the Indian 

 tribes, had much handsomer features than 

 the men ; and one young woman of the 

 party would have been deemed pretty even 



