Observations on the late Expedition of Capt. Parry . 241 
and high cheek-bones; this last so remarkably, that a ruler 
might, in some cases, be applied, from cheek to cheek, without 
touching the nose. Their complexion is dark ; yet, when divest- 
ed of its usual thick coating of grease and dirt, it presented often 
an agreeable bloom. 
In the domestic economy of the Esquimaux, the most remark- 
able feature consists of their winter huts, built entirely of snow. 
The snow is formed into blocks, which, laid over each other, and 
gradually bending inwards, terminate in a regular dome, some- 
times nine or ten feet high. A plate of ice forms the window. 
When clusters of these huts have had their intervals filled up 
with snow and drift, they cannot be distinguished from the sur- 
rounding plain, and may be walked over; hence the idea of 
Greenland subterranean habitations ; but when the roof is 
thinned by thawing, a leg is apt to come down through it. The 
entrance is long, and under ground, as described by Scoresby. 
In the interior, raised benches of snow, covered with skins, serve 
for sitting or sleeping on. Heat, light, and cooking, are afford- 
ed by one lamp, having a wick eighteen inches long, fed with 
oil or blubber, and which, when lighted through its whole 
length, makes a most brilliant and beautiful flame. Close to it, 
the temperature is raised to 38°, but in receding falls to 23°, 
and cannot be raised higher without the danger of melting this 
frail mansion. In spring, indeed, the dripping causes much in- 
convenience, and brings on severe colds. These mansions, how- 
ever, are much more comfortable than those roofed with skins, 
the heat and closeness of which produce very bad effects. 
The Esquimaux, however inured to the climate, seem never 
to become insensible to its influence, against which they guard 
by casing themselves in multiplied folds of deer-skin. The 
boots of the women in particular, resemble huge sacks, and 
give them the appearance of fat Muscovy ducks. For food, 
when the weather permits, they seek on land the rein-deer and 
the musk-ox ; at sea, the salmon, and some other fish ; but, 
during the greater part of the year, their dependence must be 
upon those large animals, the walrus and the seal, which be- 
ing obliged to come above the ice for respiration, are thus ex- 
posed to their attack. They are liable to extremes of want ; but 
after a successful hunt, they revel in abundance, and eat most 
vol. xi. no. 22. October 1824. a 
