THE NETSIK AND DSUK. 
2G1 
( 
The Netsik will not perforate ice of more than one 
season’s growth, and are looked for, therefore, where 
there was open water the previous year. But the 
bearded seals have no ailuJc. They depend for respi¬ 
ration upon the accidental chasms in the ice, and are 
found wherever the bergs or lloes have been in motion. 
They are thus more diffused in their range than their 
sun-basking little brethren, who crowd together in com¬ 
munities, and in some places absolutely throng the 
level ices. 
The Usuh appears a little later than the Netsik, 
and liis coming is looked for anxiously by the Esqui¬ 
maux. The lines, atlunak, which are made from his 
skin, are the lightest and strongest and most durable 
of any in use. They are prized by the hunters in 
their contests with the walrus. 
To obtain the atlunak in full perfection, the ani¬ 
mal is skinned in a spiral, so as to give a continuous 
coil from head to tail. This is carefully chewed by 
the teeth of the matrons, and, after being well greased 
with the burnt oil of their lamps, is hung up in their 
huts to season. At the time referred to in my journal, 
Anoatok was completely festooned with them. 
On one occasion, while working my way toward the 
Esquimaux huts, I saw a large Usuh basking asleep 
upon the ice. Taking off my shoes, I commenced a 
somewhat refrigerating process of stalking, lying upon 
my belly, and crawling along step by step behind the 
little knobs of floe. At last, when I was within long 
rifle-shot, the animal gave a sluggish roll to one side, 
