OF THE POLAR SEA. 35 



ally through the ceremony. The women 

 brought imitations of men, women, animals, 

 and birds, carved with labour and ingenuity 

 out of sea-horse teeth. The dresses and 

 figures of the animals were not badly ex- 

 ecuted, but there was no attempt at the 

 delineation of the countenances ; and most 

 of the figures were without eyes, ears, and 

 fingers, the execution of which would, per- 

 haps, have required more delicate instru- 

 ments than they possess. The men set 

 most value on saws; kuttee-swa-bak, the 

 name by which they distinguish them, was 

 a constant cry. Knives were held next in 

 estimation. An old sword was bartered 

 from the Eddystone, and I shall long re- 

 member the universal burst of joy on the 

 happy man's receiving it. It was delightful 

 to witness the general interest excited by 

 individual acquisitions. There was no de- 

 sire shown by any one to over-reach his 

 neighbour, or to press towards any part of 

 the ship where a bargain was making, until 

 the person in possession of the place had 

 completed his exchange and removed ; and, 

 d 2 



