OF THE POLAR SEA. 



205 



though some use red earth, a kind of bog- 

 iron-ore; but this colour neither looks so 

 light, nor forms such an agreeable contrast 

 as the white with the black hair of the robe. 

 Their quiver hangs behind them, and in the 

 hand is carried the bow, with an arrow, 

 always ready for attack or defence, and 

 sometimes they have a gun ; they also carry 

 a bag containing materials for making a fire, 

 some tobacco, the calumet or pipe, and 

 whatever valuables they possess. This bag 

 is neatly ornamented with porcupine quills. 

 Thus equipped, the Stone Indian bears him- 

 self with an air of perfect independence. 



The only articles of European commerce 

 they require in exchange for the meat they 

 furnish to the trading post, are tobacco, 

 knives, ammunition, and spirits, and occa- 

 sionally some beads, but more frequently 

 buttons, which they string in their hair as 

 ornaments. A successful hunter will pro- 

 bably have two or three dozen of them 

 hanging at equal distances on locks of hair, 

 from each side of the forehead. At the 

 end of these locks small coral bells are 



