OF THE POLAR SEA. 



185 



about two pounds when uncloggecl with 

 snow. The northern Indian snow-shoes 

 differ a little from those of the southern 

 Indians, having a greater curvature on the 

 outside of each shoe ; one advantage of 

 which is, that when the foot rises the over- 

 balanced side descends and throws off the 

 snow. All the superiority of European art 

 has been unable to improve the native con- 

 trivance of this useful machine. 



" Sledges are made of two or three flat 

 boards, curving upwards in front, and fas- 

 tened together by transverse pieces of wood 

 above. They are so thin that, if heavily 

 laden, they bend with the inequalities of the 

 surface over which they pass. The ordi- 

 nary dog-sledges are eight or ten feet long 

 and very narrow, but the lading is secured 

 to a lacing round the edges. The cariole 

 used by the traders is merely a covering of 

 leather for the lower part of the body, 

 affixed to the common sledge, which is 

 painted and ornamented according to the 

 taste of the proprietor. Besides snow- 

 shoes, each individual carries his blanket, 



