568 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



called in a higher state of civilization " an incompatibility of tem- 

 per." Then the two separate, and the woman returns to her par- 

 ents. In all cases, love — if it come at all — comes after the mar- 

 riage. 



There generally exists between husband and wife a steady, but 

 not very demonstrative affection, though the woman is frequently 

 subjected to violent usage by reason of some sudden outbreak of 

 temper on the man's part, and though, when she is near her death, 

 he leaves her alone to die. 



When a child is born, the mother is attended by one or more 

 of her own sex ; even the husband is not allowed to be present. 

 If it is a first child, the birth takes place in the usual tupic or ig- 

 loo ;* if it is a second, or any other than the first, a separate tupic 

 or igloo is built for the mother's use, and to that she must re- 

 move. Male children are desired in preference to females, but 

 no difference is made in their treatment, and there are always re- 

 joicings and congratulatory visits when an infant is born. Im- 

 mediately after the birth, the infant's head must be firmly squeezed 

 side to side with the hands, and a little skin cap placed tightly 

 over the compressed head, which is to be kept there for one year. 

 This custom prevails throughout the region of Frobisher Bay, 

 Field Bay, C. Grinnell Bay, Northumberland Inlet, and all places 

 known to me and my Innuit informants. The infants are nursed 

 until three or four years of age. The children, when old enough, 

 find their amusement in playing with toys made of bone and ivo- 

 ry in the forms of various animals. When older, the boys are ed- 

 ucated in rowing, hunting, and sealing; the girls are taught to 

 trim the fire-light and keep it burning, to cook, dress leather, sew, 

 help row the oomiens, and to do various other kinds of work. 



The women are not prolific. I believe they consider children 

 troublesome. The race is fast dying out. Not many years more 

 and the " Innuit" will be extinct. 



The affection of the parents for their children is very great, and 

 disobedience on the part of the latter is rare. The parents never 

 inflict physical chastisement upon the children. If a child does 

 wrong — for instance, if it becomes enraged, the mother says noth- 

 ing to it till it becomes calm. Then she talks to it, and with good 

 effect. 



* There is an occasional exception to this rule, as in the case of Tookoolito. She 

 was obliged to have a separate tupic. This was so ordered by the angeko, because 

 of Ebierbing's sickness. 



