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1 1 ■

THI

V r ^^ '" -J

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.

THE GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

WALTER JAMES HOFFMAN, M. D.,

Honorary Curator, Ethnological Museum, Catholic Univtrsity of Americay

Wathington, D. C.

Prom the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1895, pages 739-968,
with eighty-two plates.

BIBUOTHECA

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
'897..

/ 2 f 7

THE GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

BASED UPON THE COLLECTIONS IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.

AVAT^TER JAMES HOFFMAN, M. J>.,

Honorary Curator, Ethnological Mmeum, Catholic Vnirvraity of Amerim,

Waahinijton, D. C.

739

|trodn

Oeo
Sub
Pop
Ear
Sbel
Prel

iviron
Hab
Orni

rt facil
Art
Mat

Insti
Port
Repr
Deco
1
1
1
I
*ictogra]

'ictograj
Indiv
Hunt
Trav«
Comb

Ideograp]
Pictoi

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Itrodnotion 749

^o Eskimo 752

Geogrnpbic distribution 752

Subtribes or settlements 755

Population 757

Early explorations 758

Shell heaps in the Alentian Islands 761

Prehistoric art 762

Eskimo and cave-men 763

ivironment 765

Habitiitions 765

Ornitments, labrets 766

pt facility 767

Art in general 767

MaterialH employed 773

Ivory 773

Horn 776

Hone 777

Wood 777

Metals 781

Skins of animals 781

Tattooing 781

Instruments and colors 782

Portrayal of natural and other objects 790

Representation by synecdoche 798

Decoration and ornamentation 800

Decoration consisting chiefly of lines, dots, and zigzags 800

Decoration consisting chiefly of circles 800

Decoration of perscmal ornaments, utensils, etc 833

De<-oration of animal carvings 839

'ictographs of domestic avocations 843

of habitations and conveyance 8't3

of utensils and weapons 852

of preparation of food 853

of pastimes and games 856

Mctographic records 872

Individual exploits 872

Hunting and fishing 884

Travel and geographic features 897

Combat 901

geography 902

Pictographs of gesture signs and signals 908

741

742

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Shanianisiii HI:

Mythto auiiiials t)l;

CereuiunittlH Dlj IJ

" individual 9:1

Votive oJl'eringH and mortuary 91 I

Conventionalizing 9:'>

Compariaon 9H>

Appendix 94"

Geuture HiguH of KHkinio 94'

Specimens referred to in present paper 9r»'

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

136.
137.
[38.

39.
140.

41.

42.

43.

PI.,\TKS.

FiutiiiK |Hiitn.

Mapof Alanka 755

NomikHe'nor, a Kavia'gmiiit luuii 7n(i

Kukii'nk, a Kavia'gniiiit man 75(i

NerluiiK'iiur, u Kavia'giiiiiit ){irl 75<>

T'luilina, a man of NuwTik 75({

Pnka, a young man of lltkiawiu 756

Arrow Htraightenern 7t)5

Arrow straightenerH 765

Tblinkit neck ornaments 76y

Kolgncv Sunioye«l walriiH hnnturs 772

Walrns ( RoHmaniH obenua, Iltigor) 774

Reindeer or Woodland Carilton ( liaiii/ifer taratidua caribou, Kerr) 776

Weaving utenHils of horn 777

Hunting records of horn 777

Nbti ve knives 777

Dancing mask of wood 777

8a WH for cutting ivory 783

ll(»iie skin dressr^rs 7K4

Various forms of gravers 785

Ivory pipoHtem showing right and left sides 71H)

Carved drill bows and bag hiindloH 7!)2

Carved drill bows and bag humlles 792

Utensils of bono and horn 79;i

Carved ivory bows and bodkins 793

Boxes of bone and tusk 793

Seal drags an«l bag handle 7JW

Native model of kaiak. Alaska 79(5

Native model of umiak. Alaska 797

Spear rest. Point Barrow 798

Bone box for shell money. Hftpa Tndiaiis 802

Handles bearing primary forms of decorations 805

Derorated ornaments 805

Wooden tablet. Paipuan oriiamcntatioii 805

Wooden boxes and case for fishing tackle 806

Decorated utensils used by women 808

Ornamented kantag handles 809

Ornamented drill bows 810

Ornamented kantag handles 810

Bag handles 810

Records from bag handles 811

Ornamented utensils 812

Ornamented utensils 813

Ornamented carvings' Africa and Alaska 815

743

744

KKPORT OF NATIONAL MUHEUBI, 1K96.

44. Knife shottth. Tangiera, Morut'co 8UI

45. Koiniin lani]). Carthago 8lti

46. BritUii imitutioii of Mnoedoiiiuii Htiittir 8'J()

47. CoiiiHof Hritoua ami Gaiila SiiH

48. Ornamented iTory Jewelry Su"

49. Decorated omanientH and utenHile 82»

60. Ivory biiokloa and pendants 8-'i<

51. Ivory biioklea or toggles 8l'^

52. Hniitt' tuhei and needloraaeH 8:.'9

63. Decorated hunting hat. Kutniui iHiand, Alaska SX>

64. Hat ornainents of lioue 8<'!ti

55. Ornamented bug handles 84<i

66. Ornamented animal etligies 840

67. Decorated animal forms 841

58. Decorated ntensils 8-L'

59. Keoords on drill bowM 844

60. Kecords of domustio avocations 84 1

61. Decorated ivory ]»ip« 854

62. Decorated ivory pipe STiX

63. Decorated itipestem 85:t

64. Drill bows bearing records 861

65. Ornamented cylindrical cases STm

66. Records on ivory and bone 8<)(!

67. Records of daily avocations 8(ki

68. Kecords on ivory rods 87H

69. Records on ivory rods 881

70. Whale and seal hunting records 81t'

71. Decorated ivory ]>ipestem uud bowl 8!t7

72. Mythic bird and whale on harpoon rest 91:'

73. Records of Hhamanistic ceremonials 9i:<

74. Shumanistic ceremonials 9ir>

75. Petroglyphs ut HohuslUn, Sweden 931

76. I*etro>;lyphs at Bohiisliin, Sweden 931

77. Various forms of concentric circles 931!

78. Page from whaleman's log book 93."!

79. Whaler's record of sighting whales 93tl

80. Eskimo carvings of whiile tails 93(1

81. "History of u year of the Chukch" 938

82. Samoyed reindeer teams 94 1

TEXT FIGURES.

Page

1. Wooden buzz toy 77x

2. Woo«len mask 77.'<

3. Dancing gorget of wood 77M

4. Dancing gorget of wood 78<i

5. Bone-pointed drill. Point Barrow 78s

6. Iron-pointed drill. Point Barrow 78^

7. Mouthpiece for holding drill 78.'

8. Mouthpiece without wings 78!'

9. Herd of reindeer 791

10. Herd of reindeer 791

11. Herd of startled deer 791

12. Herd of startled deer 791

13. Herd of reindeer .' 79:J

14. Bird im

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

745

Keindoer ^^

Reindeer "^

Reindeer f^

Reindeer. Point Itiirruw 794

Reindeer. Norton Sonnd 794

Reindeer. Kotxebue Boond 795

Reindeer. Kotzebue Sound 796

Reindeer 796

Wolf 795

I'orcnpluo 795

I Ionian form 796

Two men in clone enibraco 795

Variants of the hnniiin form 796

Varionti forniM of vobhcIm 796

Whiilin^ HhipH near pine-covered ahore 797

Hchooner 797

Hternwkeel nteainboat 797

Umialc 797

Plflkimo hnnter and herd of r«*indeor 798

Nati\'es urni<!d with jjuhh 811

Seal head, ithowinK teeth 812

Seal tooth pattern 812

Tool of ttntl«'r8 813

(Sold boat from Nors, Deiiuuirk 825

Sanioyed ornament of metal 826

Snow shovels 83;<

Decorated ivory carving 834

Twister lor worl\ing sinew bacl^in^ 835

Dipptfr of fossil ivory 835

Large knife, with ornamented handle 836

, Chisel, with decorated handle 836

Seal dart 836

Tool bog of wolverine skin 838

Etching of pndendiini 841

Dwelling from Chuckche year record 843

Winter habitation ; wood chopper at work 844

White men's habitations 844

Native model of kaiak 846

Kaiak 847

Umiak; P<iint Barrow 847

Umiak 848

Umiak pursuing whale 848

Umiak 849

Umiak with four hunters 849

Umiak 849

Railed sledge 850

Flat sledge 850

Small sledge 8R0

Native drawing of sledge 861

Sledge 1 851

Mending net 852

Splitting wood 852

746

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

l>aga

70. Picking oerries 863

7i. Cuttiug up wiilrus 863

72. Cutting up rcindfcr 863

73. Cutting ui» roimleer 8<j3

74. Catching linh 864

75. Catching seai tlirongh the ic« SCA

76. Spearing Bcal 8<54

77. Spearing seiil 8»U

78. Curing Imh WU

7J). Engniving on bono Wm

80. Athl«'ti(! sportH 86X

«1. Athletic H|iortH 86M

82. Native niiiking 1m»w 868

83. Natives wrestling m9

81. Footl.all 869

85. <Janibling , 869

8(5. Smoking pipe 869

87. I )ance 870

88. I )an<e and feast 870

89. Natives visiting whalers 871

90. Whalers and visiting natives 871

91. Records carvitl on ivory 873

92. Native throwing harpoon 874

93. Shooting reindeer 874

94. Shooting reindeer 874

95. Hunting deer 874

96. Hunters after a reindeer 875

97. Hunter approaching walrus 875

98. Hunting sconi engraved on ivory 875

9!). Hunting srore engraved on ivory 876

100. Arrow straightener 877

101. Record of hunt 880

102. Hunting score engraved on ivory 881

103. Hunting score engraved on i\ ory 882

104. Rival whale hunters 885

105. Whale hunt 887

10<5. Whale hunters 890

107. Ivory curving hearing pictographs 890

108. Fishing near the village 891

109. Fishing with hook and line 892

1 10. Seal drag 892

111. Seal-skin tloat 893

112. A walrus hunt 894

113. Alaskan notice of direction 897

114. Alaskan notice of direction 897

115. Alaskan notice of distress 900

116. Alaskan departure to relieve distress 900

117. Walrus hunter attacked 901

118. Quarrel over game 901

119. Attack ou village 902

120. Human tigures making gestures 903

121. Signal of discovery !(03

122. Hunting signal JK)4

123. Signal used hy whalers 904

124. Alaskttu notice of hunt JK)4

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

747

Faga 'Wm

863 .|H

125.

863 H

126.

863 ^H

127.

8()3 ^H

128.

864 'S

129.

864 aB

i:w.

131.

132.

wu ^B

13:^.

84>r> t«

134.

868 JB

13.''..

868 ^^B

136.

868 JB

137.

869 "IB

138.

869 im

139.

869 iiiB

140.

869 i^B

141.

870 ^1

142.

870 ^

143.

871 ^Wm

144.

871 'm

14.^..

873 JH

146.

874 ^^B

147.

874 9

148.

874 JB

149.

874 :B|

150.

87ij ;^H

l.'il.

87') Bb

152.

87ri ^K

153.

87*i B

154.

877 B

880 ^

881 :«

882 fl[

885 JB

j|H

890 I^B

892 IH

900 ^B

900 ;fl

<K)1 ^

901 B

902 fl

903 .9

!H)3 '^^1

904 fl

904 Wk

(HU B

Alaskan notice of departure 905

AlaHkan notice of bunt 905

Notice of departure, direction, and n-rujjt' 906

Starving hunters 907

Iluuting 8<!eno 907

Signal of distress and want JH)8

Notice of departure to visit neighlioring village 909

Native speaking to dog 910

Shore line «)r water murks 910

A eaj.tive whale 910

Mythi<- serpents 913

Mythic animal devouring niiti ve 913

Mythic animal 913

Mythic creatures 914

Ceremonial dance 915

Shamanistic <erenionial 918

Shaman curing a sick man in the ceremonial structure 920

Shiinian making incantations 923

Shamistic ceremony 923

Shaman exonising demon 924

Votive ottering 927

Inscription on grave post 927

Inscription on grave post 928

Village and hurial grounds 928

Swimming seals y29

Habitation y;^

Haliitation 930

Conventional hearskins 932

Whale Ihikes, ('ape Nome 937

TH1-: r.RAPHIC ART OP THP. liSKIMOS.

By Wai.tkk Jamkh Hokkman, M. D.,
Honorary Curator. Elhnoloij'wal Mutium, Catholic I'tiivernity of Amerim, Watthing-

ton, />. C.

INTRODUCTION.

In the selection of ai)proi)riate inaterijils upon which to inscribe
his thouglits, primitive man was jjoverned to a great extent by his
environment.

In a country abounding in rocks and clifts, it was but natural for
him to portray upon a smooth conspicuous surface the record of an
exploit, or a character to direct his companions on the right trail or
to a convenient camping place. In that portion of the West known
as the " (rreat Plains," rock pictures are of seldom occurrence. The
numerous tribes of many dift'erent languages were hunters of the
buft'alo, and in their frequent movements from jjlace to ])lace found
the skin of that animal, as well as tliat of the deer, the most con-
venient. Along the shores of the (ireat Lakes, where the white birch
is of frequent occurrence, the Indians employ the bark of this tree for
their mnemonic and other records. The bark, when fresh, is tough,
and retains permanently the slightest markings indented or incised
upon it by means of a sharply pointed bone or nail.

Various Indian tribes employ, also, other substances, such as bone,
wood, and various arrangements of shell beads, as well as feathers and
textile substances, to convey special forms of information.'

The Innuit or Eskimo of Alaska utilize the tusks of the walrus, and
in occasional instances the horns of the reindeer. The tusks are cut
longitudinally into rods, upon the faces of which delicate engravings
or etchings are made, the depressions or incisions thus produced being
filled with black or some other <'olor so as to heighten the effect.

The Eskimo of (rreenland, Labrador, and tlu^ remaining portions of
the Arctic regions east of the delta of the Mackenzie River, use Hat
pieces of wood upon which to exercise their more primitive skill at art
ornamentation. Although ivory is abundant in some i)ortions of the
Melville Peninsula, yet it appears generally absent in the collections
from that region.

' For (lutailH and history of pictography, aee the writer's " Beginnings of Writing."

D. Appleton & Co., New York, 1895.

749

•SSaMta^Hlaii^

HB^jUB^teSAittli

750

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

While the accompanyiug paper is based chiefly upon the <;ollection
in tlie rnite<l States National Ariiseuin, quite a number of valuable
data were found in the interesting collection of ivory records in the
museum of the Alaska Commercial Company in San Francisco, Cali-
fornia.

In addition to these two sources of information, the writer was so
fortunate as to have the services in San Francisco of a native Alaskan
half caste, who had for a number of years been in the employ of the
Commercial Company. This man had spent most of his life in travel-
ing among the various settlements of southern Alaska, chieHy for the
pur]K)se of securing furs and peltries in exchange for goods desired by
the natives. Vladimir Naomoft", in addition to his tliorough familiarity
with the Russian and English language, was fluent in five or six native
dialects. His keen observation of the habits of the people of the main-
land, and their vari«ms methods of conveying information by recording
on difterent materials their thoughts, enabled him to interpret with ease
the numerous records in the museum referred to; and he also prepared a
number of sketches in imitation of records Avhich he had observed, and
wliichhe had been instructed to prepare and deposit at habitations at
which he had called during the absence of the regular occupants or
owners.

The primary studies relating to the subject of the interpretation of
pictographs were begun by the writer in 1871; and but limited prog-
ress was made until the year 1.S79, wlien the Bureau of Ethnology was
organized and furnished the facility necessary to otticially conduct
investigations among the various Indian tribes of the United States
and British (3olumbia, and to visit nearly all known pictographs and
petroglyphs in order to make personal investigations, comparisons,
and to secure tracings and sketches thereof.

In addition to these researches in pictography, the gesture language
of the various tribes was aiso studied, the latter frequently aiding very
materially in interpreting obscure (characters, and attempts at the
graphi(5 portrayal of gestures and subjective ideas.'

The collection of gesture signs obtained from Vladimir Naomoft', and
subsequently verified, to a great extent, by a Mahlemut native from
St. Michael's, is appended hereto,'^ in connection with the list of objects
in the National Museum, to which si)ecia1 reference is made.

These gesture signs are of importance in the study and interpreta-
tion of many of the Eskimo records.

Many of these gesture signs are natural, and intelligible to most
people who are known, on account of peculiar linguistic position, to
have knowledge of this mode of communication because of their

' For names aiul number of tribes visited, see Salisban Bibliography. J. ('. Pilling.
Washington, D. C. [bulletin of the Hiireaii of Ethnology] un«ler caption Hoffman,
W. J.

"Collected by the writ*!r in 1882, and deposited in the manuscript collections of the
finreau of Ethnology.

ORAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

751

inability to cimipreheiid the oral speech of suiTouiuliiifj tribes. Other
gestures were peculiar to these natives because of tlie uni^pie resources
of their peculiar eiivironnient; an«l others ajjain were hijjhly interest-
ing because of the concept beinj; hidden in some old custom, shaman
istic ceremonial, or individual practice of the person having recourse
to a i)articular idea.

In a number of the records will be observed outlines of the hunum
ligure, with hands and arms, and sometimes the lower extremities, in
curi<ms an<l api)arently unnatural positions. Such portrayals are
attempts at illustrating gesture signs pictorially, and subjertive ideas
are thus indi<-ated— a step very much in advance of the ordinary sys-
tem of pictography as known to and practiced by most of the Indian
tribes.

It is obvit)Us, therefore, that in order to fully compreliend the inten-
tion of a pictographic re<;ord, it is necessary to know the artist's needs,
his environment and resources, his beliefs and shamanistic observ-
ances, and as much of tlie gesture language as may be obtainable.

From a careful stmly of the pietographs of the several Indian tribes
and the numerous i)etroglyi>hs and painted records scattered over
various portions of the United States, it is safe to assert that a com
parison of tliese with the various artistic materials of the Eskimo show
the latter to be vastly sui)erior to the preceding, especially in faithful
reprodu(;tion of animal forms and delicacy of artistic execution.

The portrayal of the reindeer, in particular, serves as an illustration
of the manner in which the Eskimo are ch>se observers as to anatomi-
cal peculiarities, as well as in catching the expression indicated in
various attitudes assunu'd by these animals in grazing, rising, running,
and in the positions assumed to denote alarm, fear, etc.

In the i)ortrayal of whales the Eskimo artist is also careful as to
specific anatomical features. The i)eculiar elevation at the spout or
blowhole of the "bowhea<l" is especially indicated, and is character
istic of the species, as that jtart of the mammal is used to raise an«l
keep open the elastic "granular" salt ice for breathing holes or for
spcmting.

The smaller whale, designated also as the California gray, the "mus-
sel digger,'' or "devilfish," is likewise speeific^ally indi(;ated by a more
pointed head and sharp flukes, and 1 (^an (mly vaU attention to the
8harj> flukes and conspieuous fins of the "killer" to illustrate the
result of observation given to it by the native artist in endeavoring
to show graphically the i)art which, to him, is a specific identificati(»n
of the animal.

In a few illu>stration8 the walrus is very carefully engraved, and
although the native result may appear uncouth and cumbersome, yet a
comparison of the etchings with the illustration of that animal will at
once serve to show strikingly careful imitation of the original subject.
As to the portrayal of various other animal forms, they are, generally,

752

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

BUtticieiitly true to nature to admit of ready identification. The imita-
tion of the specific construction of the kaiak and the umiak is usually
excellent, as also the various forms of dog sledges peculiar to certain
localities in Alaska and faithfully represented in a number of etchings.
For the purpose of further comparison between the Eskimo portrayal
and the manufactured vehicle, several illustrations of the latter are
reproduced in figures.

The Eskimo is not an expert in portraying the human form. It is
certain that in various instances man is indicated by linear outlines or
incisions very much in imitation of that of the Shoshonian tribes, the
head being a mere circular spot, from which is suspended a line ter-
minating below in two legs, and beneath the head being attached two
lateral lines for arms. These extremities may be drawn in various
attitudes, but apart from the attitude no further notice would be given
to them. This forms a marked contrast as compared with the same
idea as portr.ayed by various Algonkian tribes, notably so the Ojibwa,
who devote much artistic attention to tbe head, dress, iind ornaments
v*i the character intended to represent a human being.

The peculiarity of Eskimo graphic art as compared with that of
other peoples will be treated of farther on. The subject forms the basis
of the present p.iper, and was made possible through the courtesy of
Doctor G. Krown Goode, Director in charge of the United States
National Museum, and my indebtedness to Professor O. T. JVIason,
Curator of Ethnology, is hereby gratefully acknowledged for his val-
uable suggestions and for placing at my disposal every facility for the
careful examination of specimens in his custody, not all of which, how-
ever, were deemed of sufticient importance to illustrate, as such a pro-
cedure would have resulted in considerable duplication.

THE ESKIMO.
(JEOGRAPHIC! DISTBIllTTTTON.

The Eskimauan, or Innuit,' linguistic family occupies the greater
portion of the coast of Arctic America, Greenland, the Aleutian
Islands, and a small area of the Chukche Peninsula of Siberia. The
extreme points are about 3,200 miles apart, though to follow the shores
would necessitate a journey of 5,000 miles.

The interior portions of the continent are occupied by various Indian
tribes, belonging to several conspicuous linguistic families, but the
Eskimo, under various designatioiis, have always apparently confined
themselves to the seashore and the country adjacent thereto, not
exceeding 50 miles inland, except in following various river courses in
pursuit of game.

The easternmost branch of the Eskimo is that represented by natives

' Although the term Innuit is frequently enjployed, and may be linguisticafly
proper, the writer employs the more popular term, viz : Eskimo,

GRAPHIC ART OP THE E8KIM08.

753

he imita-
8 usually

certain
etcliings.
l>ortrayal
latter are

•in. It is
utlines or
Tibea, the

1 line ter-
u;hed two
n various
tl be given

the same
le Ojibwa,
)rnanients

th that of
K the basis
iourtesy of
;ed States
T. Mason,
pr his val-
ity for the
hich, how-
uch a pro-

le greater
Aleutian
eria. The
the shores

)U8 Indian
but the
y confined
ereto, not
(!ourse8 in

by natives
uguistioall.v

along the north and east coast of (irecnland, two families being met
with by Captain Clavering in 1823, north of 7P 30'. Captain Holm
recently found them on t\\v southeast coast betMcen O.j'^aml 00^ north
latitude. These are said to profess ignorance of any natives north
of them. On the west coast of (ireenlan<l tliey extend to about 74°
north latitude. General (Jreely found indications of permanent settle-
ments in (Irinnell Land, near Fort Conger, at 81"^ 44' nortli latitude.
IMr. Henry G. IJryant, in his "Notes on the most nortliern lOslvimos,"*
says :

Ah is well known, tlio most northern Kskiinos wore first viHited liy Sir .John liosH
in 1818, and lie first applit-il to them the term "Arctic Highlanders." As the appro-
priatcni!S8 of tliirt ap])ellation sccniH qnite (|iicstionu1tle as applied to a tribe living
wholly on the seacoast, I have preferred to nse the term "most northern Kskimos,"
as being more descriptive and ap])ro]iriate in its character. This tribe inhal>itsthat
rugged strip of indented coast in northwt'st (Sreeuland which extends for about
')'tO miles from Cape York to a point somewhat south of the southern edge of the
llnmboldt glacier. It is a fact well known that thi; impassible i<'e walls which occur
at both of these points have thus far served as cfiectual barriers to any exten«led
migrations of this tribe. It is owing to this enforced isolation that at this late day
we find here the most typical of the Kskimo family gronj>s — a primitive trilte who
are but Just »'merging from the Stone Age, whose members still dress in skins, eat
raw llesh, and pursue their game with the same sort of rinle weapons that their
forefathers used in preiiistoric times.

Doctor Kane, in 1855, noted this tribe as niunbering 140, while
]\Ir. Bryant remarks that Lieutenant I'eary jilaces the census at fully
L'oO.

On the Labrador Coast the Eskimo extend southward to Hamilton
Inlt't at about 55^3 .{C, north latitude, though it is not so long since
tliey were located at the Straits of Belle Isle.

On the east coast of Hudson IJay these natives reach southward to
James liay; while northward it is on Kllsnu're Land and around Jones
Sound that Doctors lioas and Kessels i)lace the northernmost groups
of the nnddle Eskimo. Several of the northern ArctitJ islands present
evidence of former occupancy, but for some unknown cause the natives
migrated thence. The western part of the central region of the con-
tinent seems unoccupied, and from the Mackenzie Avestward the coast
seems to have no permanent villages between Herschel Island and
Point Bsirrow. This strip of country is no doubt hunt«'d over in sum-
mer, as the natives of the latter locality do not i)enetrate far into the
interior for game.

The Alaskan Coast from Point Barrow to the Copper Kiver on the
south is practically occupied by Eskimo of various villages or bands,
as will hereafter be more fully described.

The Aleutian Islands are occupied to a certain extent by a branch
of the .same linguistic family, though the dialects are unintelligible
to Ihe liskimo proper. Their distribution has been very materially

' li'cprinted from Report of the Sixth Internatioual Geographical Congress, held
nt I.cindon, 18115, p. 3.

>'AT Mus 05 48

754

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

changed since the advent of the Bussians and t\ie establishment of the
fur trade, and at present they are located principally on a few of the
largest islands only.

On the Asiatic Hide this family is represented by the Yfiit, who are
distinct from the Ghukche, or Ttiski of authors, who are of Asiatic
origin, and of a distinct linguistic group. The Yfiit are also a coast
people, and, according to Mr. Dall, are comparatively recent arrivals
from the American side. Between the Siberian and the Alaskan
coasts are the Diomede Islands, a convenient stopping place for voy-
agers between the two continental points above mentioned. At these
islands Simeon Deshueff', in 1048, found natives wearing labrets who
were at war with the Tuski. Similar reports were made by Shestakoff,
in 1730. Peter Popoft", who visited the Asiatic mainland about 1711
for the purpose of collecting tribute from the Chukche, describes the
habitations and remarks that ''he found among the Tuski ten of the
islanders wearing labrets, who had been taken prisoners of war."'

Mr. DalP observes that the Tuski do not wear labrets, which
distinguishing feature, compared witli the Chukche, was noticed by
D6shneft', as well as all subsequent voyagers. Both sexes tattoo, not
only over the face but all over the body. The women in probably all
instances bear tattooed vertical lines on the chin, a practice which is
not followed by the men. An illustration of tattooing upon the chin
of a Port Clarence woman is given elsewhere.

Concerning the representatives of the Eskimo upon the Asiatic side
of Bering Strait, the following remarks are reproduced from the memo-
randa concerning "the Arctic Eskimos in Alaska and Siberia," by
John W. Kelly ,^ interpreter, who says of the ''Siberian Eskimos:"

Thero aro HettlcmentH of Eskimos at Cape Tchaplin (Indian Point), Plover Bay,
and East Cape. How long they have been there and how tnnch of the country they
have occupied can only be conjectured. Those occupying St. Lawrence Island, Cape
Tchaplin, and part of the shores of Plovf r Bay, on the mainland of Asia, opposite
St. Lawrence Island, speak a dialect nearer like that of Point Barrow or the Mac-
kenzie River than the dialects of the Dioniedes or Kotzebue Sound. That the
Eskimos of Asia have been there a great mnny years is a certainty. The Deermen
people, whose principal support is domesticated reindeer, have gradually crowded
out the Eskimo or Fishmen, and have almost absorbed them by assimilation. They
wear no labrets, and in dress and tattooing are the same as the Deermen. That
they have lived in underground houses is abundantly proved by the ruins at Cape
Tchaplin of old Inits which have been framed with the whole jaws of whales. Now
they live in huts above ground, covered with walrus hides. They are built in the
same manner as those of the Deermen, who use a covering of reindeer robes. From
the Deermen they have also learned to cremate their dead, instead of scattering the
bodies over the plain, according to the custom of the American Eskimos. Like the
American Eskimos, they deposit the personal property of the deceased at his grave.
If he was a great hunter, they also erect a monument of reindeer antlers over his

' Quoted from W. H. Dall, "Alaska and its Resources." Boston. 1870, p. 376.

"■ Idem, p. 380.

3 Published in the Bureau of Education Circularof InformatiouNo. 2, 1890, p. 8, 9.

l!!!i

L."

It'^

Report of U, S. National Muuum, 189& Hoffman

I' •

160"

170-

180'

170'

'^^

160*

170'

180*

170'

Map of Alaska,

Map of Alaska.

« ', > ■

GRAPHIC ART OK THR EBKIM08.

755

i;r»ve. At Kiwit CapH, Hiberia, tlicro in a traoe or the Arctio RaklinoM, Ititt iiilVoriuK
fruni their iiniirviit nt^iKhltortt, th« l)loi!i«<li< pitnple.

In the vicinity of KoMt Ciipe tlu«r« »rt< i» (Vw niinH ol' iiiMlfrKroiiml hoiiHOM, anil li
few KNkiiiin wonlH am Htill iiM«tl by the |M-oplo. Twi'iity iiiIIun wcMtwanl from ('a|>e
Tohaplin ix IMoTor Itay, wliere both thv Kiiltinio ami lienrim-n hinguagt* in upokou,
but ttie Haltimu iH on a rapiii dmtline.

SUnTBinKS OH SETTLKMKNTS.

The Kskiino of littonil AliiHka arn diviiled into a ronHidorablo iiiiiii-
ber of };eoKra])hi(' «liviHioii8, popularly deMi^natud as tribett, and arc
hero bric'Hy enuiiHMab'd cldeHy according to VV. 11. I )»!!'« arrangement,
his orthography being generally maintained.

The aci'onrpanying map of Ahiskan and AHiath; coasts will serve to
further aid in locating the points ocitupied by the various native settle-
ments below ennnierat«>d. Plate 1.

Tlie Aleutians, pvoiwrly so caUed, are divided intt) two tribes, the
Atkans and Unalishkans. The former belong to the western part of
the archii>eIago, and tlie latter were originally confined to tlie eastern
portion. The original name of tliesc pe^iple signitied, a('<;ording t^
Humboldt, "People of the Kast," and they have been regarded as
having originally c<»me from tlie continent, a raference to which theory
will be made further on.

The Kgali'ikmut |=Aigaluxannutl' is the southernmost tribe, begin-
ning nearly at the mouth of the ( -opper Kiver and extend westward to
h-y Hay. Some of the eastern bands have become nuxed by inter-
marriage with the Thiinkit. "The Chugiichmuts occupy the shores
and islands of Chugach (rulf, and the southwest coasts of the i>enin-
sula of Keniii." They are few in number, compared with the large
extent of country they occupy.

The Kaniagmuts occupy the island of Kadiak and the greater por-
tion of the peninsula of Aliaska. This is i)robably the most popular of
all the Kskimo tribes. They extend from Lliamna Lake to 1.59° west
longitude.

The Oglemuts occupy the Aliaska i)eninsula along the northern (ioast,
from irt\P west longitude to the head of Bristol Kay, and along the
north shore of that bay to Point Titolin.

The Kiateciamlut inhabit the coast from near the m<mth of Nushergak
liiver westward to Cape Newenhain. They are the Nushergagmuts of
Dall, who remarks of them as particularly excelling in carving ivory,
and that most of their weapons and tools are made of this material.

The Kuskwogmuts "inhabit both shores of Kuskoquim Hay, and
some little distance up that river."

Tiie Agulmuts extend " from near Cape Avenott" nearly to Cape
Komanzotf. There are also a number of settlements of the same tribe
on the island of Nunivak."

' All words, or remarks, within brackets are added by the present writer.

756

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Tlie Magemuts " inhabit the vicinity of Ciijte Koiiii'mzoff, and reach
nearly to the nioutlt of the Yukon. They resemble their southern
neighbors nion; than they do those to the north of them. The women
wear labrets. The name Magemut signifies ' Mink people.'"

The Kk('»gmuts " inhabit the Yukon delta from Kipniuk to Pastolik,
and ascend the river as far as Mauki, some distance above the mission-
Those who inhabit the Kwikhpak slough call themselves KwikhpJigmut,
a name sometimes ajiplied to the whole tribe." A ])eculiarity " in many
of them is the extreme hairiness of their persons. Many of tliem have
very strong bhurk beards and haiiy bodies."

The IJnaligmnts, or Cnaleet, "occupy the coast from Pastolik to
Shaktolik." They have also been designated as the Aziagmut.

The Mahlemuts "occupy the coast of Norton Sound and IJay north
of Shaktolik and the neck of the Kavidk Peninsula to Selawik Lfike.
Their most eastern village is Attenmnt, and their western boundary
the river which flows northward into Spavariefl' Bay, Kotzebue Sound."

The Kavis'igmiutd occupy the Kaviak Peninsula and Sledge or Aziak
Island. " Many of them pass the winter in the southern part of Nor-
ton Sound, and there is a large Kaviak village at Unalaklik. * ♦ *
Their principal villages are Nookmut, at Port Clarence, and Knik-
Tagmut, on Golofnina Bay."

The portrait of a Kaviagmiut man, aged 3.'> years, is given in plate 2.
He is a very intelligent native, and is a clever artisan. Another type
of the same tribe is shown in the person of Suku'ut, aged LT) years,
from the same locality, plate '>. An interesting illustration of a girl
aged 17 years is i)resented in plate 4. She has a remarkably dear skin,
pink cheeks, and bears upon her chin the usual pattern of tattooed
lines, extending downward from the mouth.

In i)late "> is reproduced the portrait of an inhabitant of the village
of Nuwilk, at Point Harrow. The features are very much less pleasing
than those shown in the i)receding figures. Plate 6 represents a young
man from the village of Utkiavwifi.'

The Oke ogmuts are essentially the same as the preceding, but the
name is applied "by the Innuit to the small and energetic tribe who
inhabit the islands by Bering Strait. They carry on the trade between
the two continents, and visit the island of St. Michael every year for
the purpose. I have also heard the same name applied to the inhab-
itants of St. Lawrence Island."

The Eskimo of the Point Barrow region are located, according to Mr.
Murdoch,* in the villages of Nuwuk and Utkiavwin. Nuwfik signifies
"the Point," sind is a slightly elevated knoll at the extremity of Point
Barrow, in latitude 71° 23' north, longitude l~AP 17' west. Utkiavwifi
signifies " the Olift's," is 11 miles west from Nuwuk, at Capa Smyth,
and is also a high ridge. The nearest neighbors to the east are those

' These two portraits are reprodiuied from the Niuth Annual Report of the Bureau
of Kthnolo^y for 1887-88, 1892, figs. 1 and 4.
-Ideni,p.26.

Report of U S Nitinra Museum, 1 flQ5, -Hof'-nan.

Plate 2.

* *
Kiiik-

•«

NOMIKSE'NER, A KaVIAGMIUT MaN.

'ill

■^

Rpport o* U. S Natinna' Museum. 1895 — H.)(*man.

Plate 3.

SUK'UUK, A KaVIAGMIUT MAN.

Report of U, S. Natior.ai Museum, 1895 - Huffman

Plate 4.

Nerlung'ner, a Kaviagmiut Girl.

SSSSjI^MSK^MJiB

W-4

Report of U, S National Museum. 1 8'i5 —Ho'fman.

Plate 5.

' ' . — -^^■^ ' —

" ■ ■■ ■ "■ ' ■, -v

• --

. " . . '■'■■ ■TT^^ '

■'l'.^->-''>.~<-i''-.'..' -

?,_.

^i .

H^^H

% K % -^'-^ ■

M ^^•

'(•il^ ^

%■ '-

' w 1

7^^

1 — !iIL_l_ — iM

Unalina, a Man of Nuwuk.

I II I T,ii^,iuttt^mmimmfkiiiiimmamimMiiiaBmmmigUtSi

1^ '>

Report of U S. National Museum, I 8'i5.- Hoffman.

Plate 6.

PuKA, A Young Man of Utkiawin.

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

757

at HorHcJiel Isliuul, or Demarcation I'oiiit, and on the west ut a Hinall
villaj-e between I'oint llelelier an«l VVsiiiiriglit Inlet. The native.s of
tliese vilhijjes are so <'lo8ely connected, says Mr. Muidocli, ''that they
are sometimes spoken of i'olh'ctively as Bidi'inifiniinni'' ( = Hidarnnmiut).
"At ailistance np the river, which Hows into Wainri},'ht Inh't, live the
Knnminn, 'the people who live on the river.' These appear to be
closely related to the llrst villajje below NVainrijfht Inlet, which is
named Kilanwitawin." '

The ]>eople at Point Hope, iu'.cordinj; to Mr. Mnrdoch, are known as
the Tikera'fimiun, "inhabitants of the foretin};«'r (Point Hope)."

The natives alonj; the coast east of Point Barrow to and beyond the
Mackenzie are often spoken of by the Hiulson liay traders as the Mac-
kenzie Uiver liskimo. They appear to be identical with those described
by Father I'etitot as the Ta/j<'o/jment |=Ta,\XM>,'"^'"tJ <livision of the
Tchi^lit, and are termed by Murdoch the Kupfinminn, and inhabit the
perman«'nt viUaj^es at the " western moutii of the Mackenzie, at 8hin{<;le
I'oint and Point Sabine, with an outlyinji" villai^e, supposed to be
deserted, at Point Kay." Still another tribe is loiiated at Anderson
Kiver and Cape IJatharst, not considered by Petitot as the above
named, as he applies tiie name K/jagmalit. Sir .lolin Ki(;har(ls<Hi, the
ttrst to meet with them [liSiiOJ, ('alls them " Kette-jfarra'-oot." ^

rOPULATION.

With reference to the population of the Eskimo of the several divi-
sions, only approximate lij^nres can be given. The (rreenland group,
consisting of seventeen villages on the east coast, are stated by Holm,
in 1.S84-8."), to nund)er about ooO, while on the west coast tlu^ "nussion
Eskimo" numbered 10,122 in 188(5, and the northern Greenh.nd Eskimo,
or Arctic Highlanders of Itoss, number about 200.

Doctor Boas estimates the "Central ov Batlin Land Eskimo" at
about 1,100.

The natives along the coast in Labrador are stated by Kink, Packard,
and others, to number about 2,000 souls.'

The Alaskan Eskimo, comprising those of the mainland, as well as
the few (40?) upon Little Diomede Island, together with those on St.
Lawrence Island and the Aleutian Islanders, are estimated by Dall
ami others at about 20,000.'

This, ex(ei>ting the Siberian tribe, makes a total of about .'H,000
Eskimo. What the former ]>opulation, before the introduction of liquor
and social vices, may have been it is impossible to conjecture. It is
stated by one author (Dall) that the Aleutians formerly were estimated
at 20,000, but recently numbere<l only 1,.~)00, which figure has also been
given by others, though according to a still later estimate these
islanders were put down at 2,200.

' Ninth Aiiuiial Report of the Biiroau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 18!»2, pp. 43, 44.
*P>ankliii'8 Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the l*«»lar Sea in the
years 1825, 1826. and 1827. London, 1828, p. 203.
'Sixth Annual Report of the Hureaii of Ethnology for 1884-8."», 1888, p.42G.

wBJBi

768

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1«»5.

EAUI.V KXI'LOKATIONS.

Kor rcusoiiH which will hereafter become evident, it Ih iieceHaary to
refer brielly to the Hcvenil exploriitioiiH iiiude to I'usterii Silieria, and
later to the Ainerleaii inainlaiid. In the following; historical references
I use freely Mr. Dall's remarks, iniblished in his work, '^Alaska au<l
its Itesonrees," of which note has before been made.

In tlie year lOKi, the Knssians, under Isai l^natief, pushed their
exphnations to the east of the Kolyma Hiver, the mouth of which is at
about latitude iW)'^ W nortli and longitude 101'^ ',W east, and obtained
by barter from some Chuki^he specimens of walrus ivory. In the foliow-
intf year, H»t7, four snuill vessels sailed eastward of Kolynni, the party
being under the connnand of a Cossack, named Kidn'on Ih'shnet)'. The
object of this expedition was to reach the Anadyr lliver, of which vague
reports had l)een received, Otiu'r explorers followed, but it was not
until 1(»4S that the northeast coast of Asia Mas passed and Bering 8ea
entered.

Various explorers continued, from year to year, to visit dillerent por-
tions of the <u>ast of Kamchatka, but it was not until .711 that a Cos-
sack, named Peter Iliunsen Popolf, arrived at Kast Cape with the
intention of collecting tribute from the Chukche. Tiie visit i)roved
fruitless, but I'opotf retiuned with an acu'cmnt of the Diomede Island-
ers and the (*liukche account of a continent which lay to the east and
beyond these islands.

On account of the interest manifested in these discoveries, scientific
men succeeded in obtaining tiie attention of Peter the Great, and
instru('tions for an exi)edition were delivered to Admiral Aj^rsixin. A
few days later the Emperor died, but the Empress, in order to fulfill the
wishes of the deceased monarch, ordered the execution of the instruc-
tions, and Captain Vitus Bering was nominated to command the expe-
dition. Although the original plan was formulated in 1725, it was not
until 1727 that Bering and his companions left St. Petersburg. He
sailed past what is now known as St. Lawrence Island, through Bering
Strait, and, thnsi)ri>vingtlie separation of Asia and America, returned
to the Kanu'-hatka Kiveron the 2()th of Sejiteinber witlu)ut having seen
either the Diomede Islands or the American Coast. He returned to
St. I'etersburg in 1730, but again went on a voyage of discovery and
landed on Bering Ishind, where he die<l December 8, 1741.

In tlie meantime various other navigators and explorers had been
making considerable progress in exploring the shores of Kamchatka
and approaching the American Coast. In 1731 1'avlutski reached Cape
Serd/eKiiman, in the hope of securing from the Chukche some tribute.
This resulted in failure, and in the interim Gwosdeff sailed to the
Chukche Coast; a gale drove him eastward, "where they found an
island, and beyond it the shores of the continent of America. They met
a native in a Kyak, and sailed two days along the coast without being

ORAPHIC ART OF TIIK ESKIMOS.

759

nblo to land. A storm cuiih; up aii«l tl!t',\ loturiKMl to Kuiiicluitku.
TliiH conipletrd tliu explumtioii of Hcriii;; Htrait, whicli hud beuii com-
menced by Dt'sliiielT' and liis cornpiinions."'

It was not until .luly, 17H, that Cliuikun" arrived olV tlie American
Coast, near ('ross Simiid. lloafs wore sent tlicrc upon two occasion h,
and scv(>ral (biys later two canoes, tilled with natives, came near the
ship, but imnu'diately lied to the shore. \ inious islands w«Me seen by
Chirikoft' on his return to Kamciuitka. Duiinpf this visit 21 men were
lost, de la ('roycre, the naturalist, dyinj; ol" scurvy.

Kerin^ saw laml (>n duly 2, and anchored near an island two days
later.

I'iUnlian Ihissott' discovered the island of Attn, the westernmost of
the Aleutian j;roup,'in 17ir>. (llotloH' discovered the island of Kadiak,
or Kaniay: as it was desi^iiiited by some of tlu' natives, in duly, \7Chi.
These islanders were less disposed to friendliness and pive frequent
evi<lences of hostility.

About 17<>1 liieutenant l<ynd was put in <-onnnand of an expedition
which was orfjani/ed under the dire<'ti»»n of the impress ('atherine.
lie did not leave Kamchatka until 17(>7, sailing from Ochotsk toward
Bering Strait, i)assing Ht. Matthew iind St. Lawrence islands, saw
Diomede Islan<l, and finally landed on the AnuM-ican <*oast south of
Cape Priui'e of Wales. Further explorations of the peninsula of
Alaska wiis made by Krenit/in in 17(»H.

Cook entered IJering Strait in August, 177.S, und, on his return.from
a voyage northward, explored Norton Souiul and Hay. On October .'J
he again touched at Ilnalashka, sailed feu- the Siindwich Islands, where
he was killed by the natives in 1771).

As early as 17.SS, Mares and Douglas, supercargoes, sailed from
Macas to Nootka and to Cooks Inlet. The Spanish <rlaimed the right
to sail the I'acitic on the northwest coast of America.

In 1701 Billings and SarVchett" visited I'nalashka, St. Paul, St. Law-
rem*e, Aziak, and the DionuMles; also touched on the Ameriiran Coast
near Cape Prince cf Wales, and then an(diored in St. Lawrence Bay
on the Asiatic side.

lu 1703 the Empress of IJussia issued an ukas«5 authorizing the
introduction of missionaries int() the American colonies, and to the
works of these patient laborers we are indebted for many interesting
and valuable facts respecting the history of the (iustoms and manners
of that time. It is singular, however, that although their accounts
often appear unusually concise and comprehensive, the practice of
engraving upon ivoiy and bone, seems to have been entirely over-
h)oked, or more likely may not have been in vogue among them. This
subject, however, will be further treated elsewhere.

The natives of Boint Barrow are said never to have seen a white
man until the year 1820, when the barge of the lilossom, under Captain

'Dall. "Alaska and its inhabitants," p. 299.

7G0

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Boechey, visited their coast. Tliey had, liowever, received from south-
ern neiglibors articles of European manufacture introduced by the
Eussians, sucli as tobacco, copper, aud other articles, some of which
were obtained, a<!c<)rding to Murdoch's statement,' by way of the
Diomede Islands and Siberia.

Visits by other navigators were made at long intervals, and it was
not till 1854 that the first whaling vessel came to the Point.

Although tlie Point Barrow natives are provided with firearms, they
would be unable, by means of these alone, to obtain any seals, " as
their own appliances for sealing are much better than any civilized con-
trivances." ' Mr. Murdoch, whom 1 have here ([uoted, states furthermore
that "all are now rich in iron, civilized tools, canvas and wreck wood,
and in this respect their condition is improved." Nevertheless, in so far
as the griii)hic art is <*oncerned, they api)ear to be considerably behind
the natives of Bristcd I>ay and Xorton Sound.

The eminent Danish anti«piarian. Doctor Henry Rink,' in his remarks
on the probable origin of the Eskimo, speaks of their former location
in Greenl.and as follows :

Act'ordiug to the sajtaa of the Icelander, they were already met with on the east
coast of Greenhind about the year 1000, and almost at the same time on the east coast
of the American continent. IJetween the years 1000 and 1800, they do not seem to
have occui)ied the land south of (i5^ norih latitude, on the west coast of (Jreeuiand,
where the Scaudina\'ian colonies were then situated. Ihit the colonists seem to
have been aware of their existence in higher latitudes anil to have lived in fear of
an attut'k by them, since, in the year 12*)(), an expedititm was sent out for the pur
pose of oxi)loring the abodes of the Skra-lings, as they were called by the colonists.
In 11^79 the northernmost settlement was attacked by them, eighteen men beiiig
killed and two t)oy8 carried oil' as prisoners. About the year 1450 the last accounts
were received from the colonies, and the way to Greeulaml was entirely forgotten
in the northern country.

Doctor Kink says that the P^skimos of southern Greenland present
features indicating "mixed descent from Scandinavians and Eskimo,"
the former, however, not having left any sign of influence of their cul-
ture or nationality upon the present natives.

In 1585 Greenland was discovered anew, by .John Davis, who found
it iidiabited exclusively by Eskimo.

In the w^ork before cited,' Doctor Henry Kink remarks:

Kecent investigations have revealed ditVerences between the Eskimo tribes which
indicate that, after ha'ving taken their lirst step to being an exclusively maritime
people, they have still during their migrations been subjected to farther develoji-
ment in the same direction, aiming at adajitiug them especially for the Arctic coasts
as their pro])er home. The farther we go back toward tiieir supposed original
country, the nu)re of what may be ctmsidered their original habits we lind still pre-
served. In the general history of culture these variations must certainly appear
trilling, but still I believe that a closer examination of them will throw light on the
question how the most desolate and deterring regions of the globe could beconie

'Ninth Annual Keport of the Bureau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 18S»2, p. 53.
-The Eskimo Tribes. Copenhagen and l^oudon. 1887.
"Idem, pp. 3-5.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

761

peopled. The solution of this problem is facilitated by the fact that the whole
E»kiiiio nation lias be»Mi lews exposed to that contact with other pcoph'S which else-
where renders HUth investigations more complicated. These variations are among
tiie Eslvimo more exclusively due to natural inliuences to whidi th<^ wa'-derers were
exposed during their (.trnggle ior existence, and which partly gave rise to new inven-
tions, partly led only to the abolisiiinent of former habits. In some instances also
the.se external influences evidently occasioned decay where the severity of tlie
clinuite in connection with the isolation and the fewness of inhabitants almost
exceeded the botnuls of human endurance.

Doctor Rink endeavors to show from this point of view ''the peculiar-
ities of the tribes in the dittereiit domains of culture a^ree with the
8U])position that the orijjinal Kskiuio inhabited the interior of Alaska;
that apart from the true Eskimo a side branch of them in the farthest
remote i>eriod pcople«l the Aleutian Islands, whereas people of the
principal race lator settled at the river mouths, spreading;- north-
ward aloiifjf Uering Strait and, hiving off some colonies to the opposite
shore, proceeded around Point Barrow to tlie east, the Mackenzie l^iver,
over tlic central regions or Arctic Archipelago, and tinally to Labrador
and Greenland. This dispersion may have taken thou.sauds of years;
they can only have i>roceeded in small bands, very nuu-h as still they
are used to move about during certain .seasons. Their only way of
procuring subsistence in the vast de.serta tliey i)as8ed over, exclude<l
the i)Ossibility of national migrations on a larger scale. While in this
way they continued to di.scover new countries, some families were
induced to go farther; others remained and finally gave rise to the
present scs "^tcrcd settlements. But, in proposing this hypothesis, I con-
sider it a . latter of course that Alaska as the original home of the
Kskimo is not to be taken in the strictest sense, absolutely excluding
adjacent parts of the continent toward the east. But as to the other
theory, that tlie Eskimo should have emigrated from Asia by way of
Bering Strait and fouml the Indian territory already occupied by the
.same natives as now, this objection must be separately taken into con-
sideration in connection with the facts bearing in favor of the former.''

d«

SHELL HEAPS IN THE ALEITIAN ISLANDS.

The only important researches regarding prehistoric renniins in
Alaska and the Aleutian Islands are those of Mr. Dall.' He remarks
that the ''shell heaps are found on nearly all the islands of the
Aleutian group. They are m(>st abuiulant and extensive in the
islands east of Tnalashka, and on the few islands from Amchitka east-
ward, which are less high and rugged than the others, or on those
where the greater amount of level land is to be found. The two neces
saries for a settlement appear to have been a stream of water or a
spring, and a place where canoes could land with safety in rough

'On succession in the shell heaps of the Aleutian Islands. Contributions to N«»rth
Americaa Ethnology, I, 1877, p. i:i.

762

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

weather. Where these are botli wanting, shell heaps are never found,
and rarely when either is absent."

From cart^f'ul examinations made by Mr. Dall, he deems it proba-
ble that the islands "were populated at a very distant ])eriod; that the
population entered the chain from the eastward ; that they were, when
first settled on the islands, in a very different condition from that in
whidi tliey were found by the first civilized trjivelers," etc. It is
furthermore suggested by this writer that there was a later wave of
population; that the former people "were more similar to the lowest
grades of Innuit (so called Eskimo) tlian to the Aleuts of the historic
period," and that tlie stratification of the shell heaps shows a tolerably
uniform division into three stages, (;haracterized by the fo«>d which
formed their staple of subsistence and by the weai)ons for obtaining
as well as the utensils for preparing the food.

The stages are —

I. The littoral period, represented by the Echinus layer.
II. The fishing period, represented by the Fishbone layer.

III. The hunting period, represented by the Mammalian layer.

In concluding his impressions respecting the shell heaps, the author
concludes by saying "that those strata correspond approximately to
actual stages in the development of the i>opulation which formed them,
so that their contents may approximately, within limits, be taken as
indicative of tlie condition of that population at the times when the
respective strata were being deposited."

vSt

PREHISTOEIO ART.

With reference to specimens of art or ornament, Mr. Dall' remarks:

Tht* exjiresKioii ol" nstliotic feeling, a^ iudicated by attempts at ornamentation of
utensils or weapons or by the fabrication of articleu which serve only lor purposes
of adornment, is remarkably absent in the contents of the shell heaps. As a whole,
this feeling became ileveloped only at the period directly anterior t<» the historic
period. It was <loubtless exhibited in numerous ways, of which no ])re8ervation
was possible, so that the early record, even for a considerable period, would be very
incomplete. We know that great taste and delicate handiwork were expended on
articles of clothing and manufactures of grass liber, which wotild be entirely
destroyed in the shell heajis, an<l of which only fragmentary remains have been
preserved on the mummies found in the latest 2)roliistoric burial caves and rock
shelters. » » »

There are some articles used on the kyak which are usually made of bono, and
often preserved in the up|)er mamnuilian stratum, and upon which some attempts at
ornamentati(m were bestowed. These are little pieces of bone or ivory, in general
shape resembling a kneeling iigure, with one or two holes, through which cords aie
passed. * * " The latter were in some cases carved to represent ligiires of ani-
mals. Another species of onuimentation is elsewhere alluded to in the tlat thin
St rijis of bone which were fastened to the wooden visor worn in hunting. These
were fre(|uently ornamented with typically Innuit patterns of parallel lines, dots,
concentric circles, with zigzag markings between them iind radiating lines. All

> On succession in the shell heaps of the Aleutian Islands, in Contributions to North
Aiuerioau Ethnology, I, 1877, p. 43.

»Mi

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

763

', and

)t8 Ut

iiicral
Is .'lie
aiii-
tliin
These
duts,
All

m*»

these were in black, on the white basis of the bone or ivory. * ' * The mark-
ings can Bfldom be accurately described as marks of ownership. I have never seen
any defmite mark or ornament of tliis nature amon^ the Aleuts or Western Innuits.
They readily reco};;ni/.e their own utensils or weapons without any such aid, and I
believe the theory of " marks of ownersliip," "batons of command," and such like,
has been stretched far beyond the point of entlurance or accuracy, at least among
writers on the Innuit. Drawings, «^ugravings on bone or wood, and pictures of any
kind, so far as I have observed, are all subseijuent to the period (•overe<l by the
shell heap deposit. They are invariably quite nio«u-rn, though the taste for them
is now widely spread among the Innuit, esiwicially those of the regions where ivory
is readily procured. The coloration of wooden articles with native pigments is of
ancient origin, but all the more elaborate instances that liave come to my knowledge
have marks of comparatively recent origin. •

ESKIMO AND CAVK MEN OF FRANCE.

In his "Alaska and its Resources," Mr. Dall presents several illus-
trations of drawings on bone, very ordinary sjiecimens and limited
to poorly executed figures of men hunting. These are given merely
to indicate to the reader the general appearance of the etching of the
Eskimo. It is related in this connection, however, that these drawings
are analogous to those discovered in France in the caves of Dordogne.
The numerous specimens of jjrehistoric art, both incised and carved,
which have been given by IVIessrs. Lartet and (^^hristy in their work
entitled Reliquia- Aquitanica',' are familiar lo most arclueologists, so
that no reproduction of ])Iates or illustrations is deemed necessary in
the present instance.

Mr. W. Boyd Dawkins,^ an acknowledged authority on the antiquity
of man in FiUrope, remarks at length upon the ])ossible and in fact
probable identift<'ation between the cave men and the Eskimo. In his
conclusions upon (;onq)arisons between the respective arts, forms of
weajwns, apparently similar modes of living, etc., he says:

On passing in review the manners and customs of all the savage tribes known to
modern ethnology, thc^re is only one people with whom the cave men are intimately
connected in their manners and customs, in their art, and in their implements an<l
weapons. The Kskimo rai|ge at the present time from Greenland on the east along
the shores of tlie Arctic Sea as iar to the west as the Straits of Bering, inhabiting a
narrow littoral strip of country, and living by hunting, fishing, and lowling. The
most astonishing bond of uijion between the cave men and the llsliinio is the art of
representing animals. .Inst as the former <'ngraved liisons. horses, mammoths, and
other creatures familiar to them, so do the latter represent the animals upon wliich
they <lepend for food. On the im]ilenients of the one you see the liuntingof the urns
and tlie horse depleted in the same way as the killing of the reindeer and walrus on
the implements of the other. • * * ^vil these points of eouneetion between the
cave men and the Eskimo ean. in my oi>inion, be explained only on tlie hypothesis
that they belong to the same race. To the objection that savage tribes living under
the same eonditions might independently invent the same implements, and that
therefore the correspondence in the question does not necessarily imply a unity of
race, the answer nmy bo made that ther«f are no savage trilies known which use the
same set of implements without being connected by blood. The ruder and more

' London, 1875, pp. 204. PI. 87. Three ma^is and 132 woodcuts.
^" Early Man in Britain, " 1880, p. 233.

(Quarto.

■a£B8

764

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

conimon instramentB, such as flakes, and in a lesser degree scrapers, are of little value
in classification; but where a whole set agrees, intended for various use, and some of
them rising above the most common wants of savage life, tlie argument as to race is
of considerable weight. It is still further strengthened by the identity of art. The
articles found in the caves of Britain. Belgium, France, or Switzerland di tier scarcely
more from those used in west '^ieorgia than the latter from those of Greenland or
Melvilli) Peninsula.

From these considerations it may bo gaihored that the Eskimos are probably the
representatives of the cave men, and i)rotccted wiMiin the Arctic Ciri'lo from those
causes by which they have been driven from ICurope and Asia. They stand at the
present day wholly apart from all other living races, and are cut oil" from all both
by the philologcr and the craniologist. rnacciist(»med to war tiiemselvea, they were
probably driven from Europe and Asia by other tribes in the same manner as within
the last century they have been driven farther north by the attacks of the Red
Indian.

The theory that the peoples of the circumpolar regions might be the
descendauts of the ancient cave dwellers of France has been enter-
tained not only by Mr. Dawkins, Among other arguments employed
are (1) the apparent similarity of environment, and that as the south-
ernmost margins of the receding ice, in glacial times, slowly moved
northward, the ancient cave people continued their migration in that
direction until their present location was reached; (2) the general
resemblance in the carved weapons and utensils of reindeer horn, and
also some of the portrayals of animal forms which occur thereon.

From evidence based upon investigations by Doctor Kink, and the
archsvologic indications noted by Mr. Dall and others, the Eskimo
are believed to have become a littoral people in Anierica by expulsion
from some interior regions of N^orth America, such expulsion having
been brought about through the northward expansion of the Athabas-
can tribes toward the northwest and the Algonkian tribes toward the
northeast. Even within historic times the Eskimo o('cui)ied a much
more extensive coast line southward on the Atlantic than at present,
and it is impossible to conjecture what may not have been the southern
limits, in prehistoric times, with reference to the tirst theory above
named.

It is believed by some geologists that as the glaciers of western
Europe gradually receded, the dirfiction of migration of the prehistoric
people was toward the British Isles, the Scamlinavian Peninsula, and
Lapland. The theory of their passage across to Greenland does not
appear to be supported by any prehistoric remains, such as one would
hope to discover after the recovery of the great amount of excellent
material indicating a peculiar advancement in the arts of fashioning
weajwns and utensils of ivory and horn. Neither does there survive
anything in (Ireenland but the simplest type of artistic decoration on
ivory or bone, such as lines, dots, etc., which is characteristic of the
Eskimo everywhere, excepting in Alaska, where the greater develop-
ment was due to other causes, which will be mentioned farther on.

Neither is there apparent evidence that the Eskimo came across
Bering Strait, as the survivors of the ancient cave men of Europe.

ire of little value

I use, and some of
(lent ns to race is
tity of art. Tlie
ad differ scarcely
of Greenland or

iire probably the
!ir<'le from those
liey stand at the
If from all both
lelvea, they were
lanner as within
icks of the Red

might be the
8 been eiiter-
tits employed
as tlie south-
ilowly moved
cation in that

the general
ser horn, ami
hereon,
tink, iiud the

the Eski.To
by expulsion
Ision having
:he Athabas-
^ toward the
i)ied a much

II at present,
the southern
lieory above

of western
« prehistoric
tiinsula, and
nd does not
s one would
of excellent
' fashioning
lere survive
Jcoration on
istic of the
ter develop-
iher on.
ame across
Europe.

Report of U S. National Museum, 1895 Hof'man

Plate 7.

Arrow Straiqhteners.

Plate 7.

^■:

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 7.

Fig. 1. AKROW and Sl'EAl! STKAKillTENKK.

(Cat.N.,.44mi-.S.X.M. From Ca,,.. Xom,., Alnska. (•oIlert...n.v K W N.-ho,, )
I* Iff. 2. AKROW AND Sl-KAR STltAKiUTKXKR.

Ki.r •. , <''"-^'°-*^'«»'l'-«-^'^'- S"-<lS« or Aziakl.sl..„,l, Alaska. C.,ll..H..a l.v K W VeUon
l-if?. .1 Arrow and Spkais Straigiitenkr. ^^.Nels.m

(••at. No. 44745, V. S. X. M. S^go l.slan.l, Alaska. ( ■„lle,„.,I l.v K. W. NVlso,,.,

Raporl of U S NstionsI Muieum, 1095.— HoMfnin.

Plate 8.

5 ;'

•i 1

Arrow Straiqhteners.

Plate 8.

EXPLANATION OF plat

E 8.

^'•W. I. Ahroh- aNI. Spevk St.,

C'ai. \(, n-r • ""■^Kwi _ ,^

Fife'. 2. Akh„w AXn Spk [^ L^'" ^•'■"""■''" J«lan,l8, AI„8k„ (■ M

■ •'••>-.M. C.ij,,. J»,„.|,.. \.., .„ ,, „

nUAIMIU; AUT OF TIIK KHKIM08.

76r>

With rojfiml to the stM-oml tlu'ory, it would hv stninffv imlord if
tliere w«Me not Home p-iu'ial similiiiitieM lu'tMoen tlio w«>a|>oiis and
ntcnHils of two distinct nnciviii/ed |><>o|d4>s when liotli nHt>d tlie sanio
materials — rrindeer liorn — for snrli articles; and, I'nrtliermoie, tlio
attempted p<»rtrayal of animalsof lilvc ;r«'nera wonid luitnrally prodiuru
results of very j^eneral likeness.

I'Mnally, it Inis been sn;;'^^>sted, and tiie burden of proof appears to
indicate, that th«; development of ])ictof;raphic art ainon^ the Alaskan
I'iSkimo vas attributable to their ('ontai't with tht^ Russians; and that,
althouj;h these natives preserved a limited de^re4i of i'ultnre as to
decoratip)? by simple lines and dots their weaptuis and a few other arti-
cles of daily use, yet the objective representation of any animate or
other Ibrms is believed to hav«' Ikhmi adopted sincui the earliest visits of
civilized nan to the Alaskan doast.

Several Alaskan utensils, howevtM-, used as arrow and spear strai);ht-
eners are here illustrated in plate 7, lij^s. 1, 2, and .{, ami plate H, (If^s.
liand'S, and are apparently similar to s<nne lik<> renmins from tluM-aveH
of Francii tij;nred by Messrs. Lartet and ('hristy.

Upon <'h>ser examimition it will be observed that lMisi<les the simi-
larity of form, due chielly to the reason that both types are of sinnlar
materials, the representation of animal forms by en^ravin^, or im-ision,
appears to belong; to a ditl'erent school of artistic work, if su(;li a term
may here be employed; a <'skct(diy'' outlines of an animal fre(|uently
('onsistin^ of but a few suj^ffjestive incisions here and there, as in very
modern inneteentli t-entury ait "oik, produciu}? an vnWt in several
instances as the reimleer tigure<l oy Ijartet and Christy in tlu'ir work
before <!ited, which artistic prodiuts ajipear "too artistic" for the
culture status of cave men siudi as aic portrayed in the deductions of
the {i^entlenuMi above quoted by W. lioyd Dawkins and others who
have followed up the same theme. The work of the cave untn is appar-
ently vastly superioi- in one r«5spe«',t to that of the Eskimo, and ajjain
fnun another aspect inferior to it — inferior in vaiious ways, as will b«)
learned by a i)erusal of the results attaintMl by the lOskimo in the rep-
resentation of both objective and subjective ideas, as well as an
advancen)ent towanl conventionalization beyond that practiced by peo-
ples who are apparently further advaui^ed in other respects.

ENVIRONMENT.

So many narratives relating to the life and social <'(mditi«ms of the
Eskinu), as well as to the toimgraphic pec;idiarities of the countries
occupied by the various subdivisicms of this people, have been pub-
lished at various times and by various authorities, that anything
further in this connection would be supertluous, especially in a paper
devoted more particularly to the graphic arts.

The habitations and clothing, such as are required in an unusually
inhospitable climate, are both illustrated in the native pictography.

'■'-■■-^ ,..■—....

706

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

} .

The forms of habitations are more parti(;ularly referred to elsewhere,
and various native representations are reproduced for the sake of com-
parison both as to artistic merit as well as indicatin}; personal or tribal
variations dependent on <;limatic requirements.

The styles of clotliin;^ are not often referred to in Eskimo etchings,
tattooinj; and labrets being sometimes indicated in carvinj^fs, as well
as in incised characters. Some interesting carvings, with deli(*ate
artistit; touches to accentuate the effects of tattooing, are given else-
where.

ORNAMENTS AND LABRETS.

In some of the etchings are portrayed the outlines of human figures —
in various attitudes, though especially as if in the act of dancing — to the
rear portion of the body of which are attached little tail-like append
ages resembling tails of au'mals.

This may be exi)lain«'d by quoting Captain lieechey,' as in his refer-
en<^e to the natives found northward of Cape I'rince of Wales, within
4i miles of Schismareff Inlet, he states that, in addition to certain
described articles of clothing, "they have breeches and boots, the
former mad of deer's hide, the latter of seal's skin, both of which
have drawing strings at the upper part made of seahorse hide. To
the end of that which goes ruiind the waist they attach a tuft of hair,
the wing of a bird, or sometimes a fox's tail, which, dangling behind
as they walk, gives tliem a ridiculous appearance, and may probably
have occasioned the leport of the Tschutschi, recorded in Muller, that
the people of this <!ountry have ' tails like dogs.' "

Among the trimmings and ornaments attached to the clothing the
Point Harrow l^skimo^ also attach at the back the tail of an animal,
usually a wolverine's, "^'ery seldom a wolf's tail is worn, but nearly
all, even the boys, have wolverine tails, which are always saved for this
pur)»ose and used for no other. Tlie habit among the i'jskimo of western
America of wearing a tail at the girdle has been noticed by many
travelers, and prevails at least as far as the Anderson River," where it
was noticed by Father Petitot, who, in describing the diess of the
"chief," remarks "par derriere il portait aux reius une (jueue epaisse
et ondoyante de renard noir." '

Captain P>eechey' first observed lip ornaments at Schismaeff Inlet, a
short distance north of Cape- l*rin(!e of Wales, and thence northward
to Point Barrow, seemingly a common practice along this coast. " Tiiese
ornaments consist of pieces of ivorj', stone, or glass, forme«l with a
double head, like a sleeve button, one part of which is thrust through
a hole bored in the under lip. Two of these holes are cut in a slanting
direction about half an inch below the corners of the mouth. The

' Narrative «>f a Voyage to the Pacific and Beriug'H Strait, London, I, 1831, p. 248.
"Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-88, 1892, p. 138.
''Monograpbie, p. xiv.
••Idem, p. 249.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

767

incision is made when about the ag<^ of imbeity, and is at first the size
of a quill. As they fjrow older, the natives enlarjj:e the orifice, and
increase the size of the ornament accordingly, that it may hold its
place. In adults this orifice is about half an inch in diameter, and will,
if required, distend to threecjuarters of an inch." The same practice
in every respect is also observed at CliMnisso Island,' a short distance
from the above locality, and further reference concerning the natives is
quoted from the same authority as follows: ''They readily disengaged
these lip ornaments fr<mi their lii)s, sold them, without minding the
least inconvenience of the saliva that llowed through the badly cica-
triced orifice over the (^hin; but rather laughed when some of us
betrayed disgust at the spectacle, thrusting their tongues through the
hole and winking their eyes."

the

aisse

248.

ART FACILITY.

Mr. Alfred C Iladdon, in his admirable work on " Evolution in Art,"-
remarks of the early methods of conveying information between one
man and another, where oral or gesture language are impossible, that
pictorial delineation must be resorted to; .and further, that "in'obably
one of the earliest of this needs was that of indu-ating ownership, and
it maybe that many devices in primitive implements and utensils have
this as one reason for their existence, although the nature of tl;e orna-
mentation may be owing to (piite a different reason."

It is not of rare occurrence to find upon the arrows and other ])08-
sessious of our native Indian tribes various marks by means of which
individual property may be identified; and among some of the i)ueblo
Indians decorated pottery bears ''maker's marks" in such manner that,
although the tribe at large nuiy not recogni/e the maker of any ])ar-
ticular decorated vessel, yet such a spetdmeu will at once be identified
as originating in, or with, a certain family, and when application is
made at the designated abode, the individual will there be pointed
out, or named if absent.

It seems possible that the various markings upon the weapons from
the Alaskan shell heaps may have served as "property marks," and it
would appear, also, to have been found expedient tor the native sea-
going hunters to devise and adopt some sort of a system by means of
which they might be enabled to identify and recover any stray or fioat-
ing weapon, or the animal in wliich such weapon migiit be f(mn<l, or
possibly both.

Mr. Haddon renuirks that " the beautifying of any object is due to
impulses which are common to all men, and have exist«'d as far back as
tlie period when men inhabited caves and hunted the reindeer an<l
mammoth in western Europe." ' Ap);..! I'ltly the oldest markings thus

• Father I'etitot, Monograpliio, p. 250.

« " Evohition in Art." London, 18!»5, i». 20:5.

"Idem, pp. 3, 4.

768

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

used consisted of simple lines and punctures or i)erfor{itions, such as
are found at i)resent among the Greenland and Labrador Eskimo,
though among the latter small carvings are also beginning to be more
abundant.

In his reference to the Kaniags, Mr. Ivan Petroff ' says they use
whale ppears about feet in length, armed with slai/5 points. '• Ui)on
the i)oint of his spear each hunter carves his mark to enable him to
claim his quarry."

Mr. L. M. Turner informs me that Eskimo property marks are unknown
to him, although each hunter, or maker of weapons, will recognize his
own workmanshi]), as well as that of others, by dilferent jieculiarities
of individual skill. Among the sea-otter hunters of the Aleuts, they
do have marks by which the detachable point of the otter spear may
be known. "This point is often copper, obtained from copi)er bolts from
a Russian vessel long ago stranded on their shore; and as the spear is
made with exquisite skill, the point is also delicate and of particular
i'orm, so that a difliculty would arise as to whose si)ear point strikes
nearest the nose of the creature. In its struggles the point is torn
loose from the strong, yet slender, sinew line holding it to the spear.
Another thrower may succeed in striking it and capture the otter, but
he whose point is nearest the nose may <;laim the skin. A fair degree
of liberality is usually manifested in such instances."^

The residence in J'oint Barrow of Mr. Murdoch — extending over a
period of perhaps three years — attbrded him ample opportunity to study
the art of the ]*iskimo of that northernmost extremity of Alaska. In
his rei^ort before mentioned he remarks:

The artistic sense ai>peiir8 to be niucli more highly developed among the western
Eskimo than among those of the east. Among the latter, decoration appears to be
applied almost solely to the clothing, while tools and ntensils aro usually left plain,
and if ornamented are only adorned with carving or incised lines. West of the
Mackenzie Kiver, and especially south of Bering Strait, Esliimo decorative art
reaches its highest develojmient, as shown by the coUectiims in the National Museum.
Not only is everything finished with the utmost care, but all wooden ob,je<ts are
gaily painted with various pigments, and all articles of bone and ivory are covered
with ornamental carvings and incised lines forming couventional patterns.

There are in the collections also many objects tiiat appear to have been made
simply for the pleasure of exercising the ingeiuiity in representing natural or fanci
fnl objects, and aro thus purely works of art. * * * As would naturally ho
expected, art at Point Harrow occui)ies a somewhat intermediate position between
the highly developed art of the southwest and the simpler art of the east. * *

It will be noticed that whenever the bono or ivory jiarts of weai)ons are decorated,
the ornamentation is usually in the form of incised lines colored with red o(;her or
soot. These lines rarely represent any natural objects, but generally form rather
elegant conventional patterns, most commonly doable or single borders, often Joined
by obli<nie cross lines or fringed with short pointed j)arallel lines. " * *

The only decorative work in metal is to be seen in the jiipes and their accompany-
ing picks and fire steel. * » *

'Report on the population, industries, and resources of Alaska, Tenth Census,
1880, VIII, p. 142.
* Personal h'tter of date of May, 1896.

ions, such an
[lor Eskimo,
g to be more

ys tliey use
its. " Ui)oii
nable him to

lire unknown
•ecognize his
lieculiarities
Aleuts, they
r spear may
er bolts from
I the spear is
)f particular
)oint strikes
K)int is torn
;o tlie spear,
be otter, but
L fair degree

idinji: over a
aity to study
Alaska. In

ag the western
I .appears to be
liilly left plain,
West of the
(lecor.itive art
Lional Museum.
«n objects are
)ry are covered
terns.

ive been made
itural or faiici
I naturally 1x5
sition between
I east. * *

are decorated,
til red ocher or
ly form rather
rs, often Joined

eir accompany-

Tenth Census,

Report of U S National Museunn, 1895.— Hoflman

Plate 9.

Thlinkit Neck Ornaments.

i
1

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 9.

Pendants of Bone Used by Shamans for Ornamenting Necklace.

(Cat. Xi). 168;i71, r.S. N. M. llilinnit IimUiiuh. (Jolli'itlfil l)y Mi'iil. 1 i. !•'. Kiiimoiis. T. S, N.)

n na-

e
t

t
ii

GUAFHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

7fi9

Mr. Dull remarks that the forms in general of tlie Kskimo are very
miu'li alike throiijjhont the entire area occupied by this jieople; but he
continues in another phiee, "Similar drawings are common everywhere
among the Innuit, while I have never seen among the Teuneh tribes of
the northwest any similar speciniens of art.'''

Since tlie time of ]\Ir. Dall's researclies in Alaska, however, vari-
ous specimens of Thlinkit art designs have been received by the
National Museum. Several of these, consisting of neck ornaments, are
rei^roduced in plate 0, flgs, 1 to 0, and bear purely Kskimo forms of
ornamentation obtained through the medium of intertribal traffic, to
whicli other reference is nuide iu connection with trade routes or culture
routes.

The ornamentation of utensils, articles of personal adornment, an<l of
weapons is limited among the l^'skimo eastward of .Alaska to lines and
dots in various combinations. Carvings occur also, small figures, both
flat and in imitation of the animals with which the artist is familiar.
The engraving upon ivory and bone for the jiurpose of recording hunt-
ing, fishing, and other exploits and pursuits, appears to be entirely
absent iu the east, being confined to the natives of ^Uaska, the Siberian
Eskimo — the Yuit — and recently copied by other neighboring peoples.

In the vicinity of Chamisso Island, a short distance above Cape
Prince of Wales, Captain Ueechey^ found various kinds of utensils,
weapons, and other manufactures of the natives, upon some of which
were eugrav<.'d various objects, to which he refers as follows:

Oil tbo ontsido of this and other instruments there were etched ii vaiiety of figures
of men, beastH, birds, etc., with a truth and character which showed the art to be
connnou among them. Tlie reiuileer were generally in herds. In one jiictnre they
were itursued liy a mini in a stooping posture in snowsboes; in another he had
approached nearer to his game, and was in the act of drawing his bow. A third
represented the manner of taking seals with aii inflated skin of the same animal as
a decoy; it was placed upon the ice, and not far from it was a man lying upon his
belly with a harpoon ready to strike the animal when it should make its ajipearance.
Another was dragging a seal home u])Oii a small sledge; and sc'vcrai baidars wore
employed bariiooning whales which had been previously shot with arrows; and thus,
by comparing on<( with another, a little history was obtained which gave us a better
insight into their habits than could be elicited fnmi any signs or iniitatiims.

Mr. John Murdoch,' in quoting Mr. L. M. Turner that the njitiv'cs of
Norton Sound keep a regular rec(U'd of hunting and other events
engraved upon drill bows, remarks that " we did not learn definitely
that such was the rule at Point Barrow, but we have one bag tiandle
marked with whales, which we were told indicated the number killed by
the owner.'' Several specimens are then referred to as having figures
incised upon them, coh)red both in red or in black, together witli very
small illustrations of the bow, upon which the figures are so greatly

' Ninth Annual Report of the Ibireau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 189L', p. 238.
^ Idem, p. 251. (Visit made in 1826.)
■' Idem, p. 177.

NAT MUS 95 41)

770

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

reduced as to be of no value in tlie study of pietojfniphic; representa-
tion of objects, ideas, or jjestures.
Mr. Murdoch' remarks furthermore:

The only thing that wo haw of the natnro of numerical recorilH were the nerieH of
animals engraved n])on ivory, already alluded to. In nioHt canes we were unable to
learn whether the figures really represented an actual reciord or not, though the l)ag
handle already tigiired was said to contain the actual score of whales killed by old
Yfi'kslna. The custom does not appear to be ho prevalent as at Norton Sound. * * *
With one exception tliey only record the capture of whales or reindeer. The excep-
tion * * * presents a series of ten bearded seals. The reindeer are usually
depicted in a natural attitude, and some of the circumstances of the hunt are usually
represented. For instance, a man is tigured aiming with a bow and arrow toward a
lino of reindeer, indicating that such a numlier were taken by shooting, while a
string of deer, represented without legs as they would apj»ear swimming, followed
by a rude ligiire of a man in a kaiak, means that so many were lanced in the water.
Other incidents i»f the excursion are also sometimes represented. On these records
the whole is always represented by a rutle figure of the tail cut off at the "small,"
and often represented as hanging from a horizontal line.

We also bronght home four engraved pieces of ivory, which are nothing else than
records of real or imaginary 8ccn(?s.

The above remarks, with the description of the four specimens else-
where reproduced, comprise about all the attention that this interesting
subject appears to have received during a three years' residence at
Point Barrow among natives who surpass almost any other peoples in
North ^Vmerica in the graphic arts.

It is fortunate that the National Museum has in its possession the
rich collections made by Messrs. Nelson and Turner, both of whom
appreciated the value of such material and availed themselves of the
opportunity of securing it, as well as inform.ation pertaining to the
interpretation of many of the i)ictographic ideas shown.

In his medical and anthropological notes relating to the natives of
Alaska, Doctor Irving C. Rosse^ remarks:

Some I have met with show a degree of intelligence and appreciation in regard to
charts and pictures scarcely to be expected from such a source. From walrus ivory
they sculpture figures of birds, quadrupeds, marine animals, and even the hnman
form, which display considerable individuality notwithstanding their crude delinea-
tion and imperfect detail. * * * Evidences of decoration are sometimes seen on
their canoes, on which are found rude pictures of walruses, etc., and they have a
kind of picture writing by means of which they commemorate certain events in
their lives, just as Sitting Hull has done in an autobiography that may be seen at the
Army Medical ]N(useum.

When we were searching for the missing whales ott' the Siberian coast, some
natives were come across with whom we were unable to communicate excejit by
signs, and wishing to let them know the object of our visit, a ship was drawn in a
notebook and shown to them witli accompanying gesticulations, which they quickly
comprehended, and one fellow, taking the ])encil and note book, drew correctly a pair
of reindeer horses on the ship's jib boom — a fact which identified beyond doubt the
derelict vessel they had seen. * * *

'Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 185)2, p. 361.
'^Cruise of the Revenue-Cutter Corwin in Alaska and the Northwest Arctic Ocean,
in 1881. Washington, D. C, 1883, p. 37.

OUAPHK; AUT of the ESKIMOS.

771

Hoiue

cean,

TIio above named author furthermore refers to natives making; pencil
and i>en and-iuk sketches, one in particular having taught lilmself by
copying from tlie " Illustrated London News." These sketches, " though
creditable in many respects, had the defects of many Chinese pictures,
being faulty in perspective." Doctor Itosse concludes by saying:

Ah thuM- tIruMrinKn e<|uiil those in Doctor Rink'H book, done by (.imenluud iirtistH, I
rryrct my inability to reproduce them hero. As evidences of culture, they show
nKircadviinc^ement than the cnrvin^M of Kn;;liHh rustics that a clergyman has caused
to be placed on exhibition at the Kensington Slusouni.

Doctor Henry Rink' says:

The art exhibited by the Alaska Eskimo in ornamenting their weapons and uten-
sils is often mentioned in travelers' reports from the time when they were first
visited by l-^uropeans. To their skill in curving and engraving, we must Join this
taste dis))layed in the same way in making their clothing. Again, when we pass
from Alaska to the cast, we see this relish for the tine arts declining, and in western
Greenland proofs of it have been rather scarce. But the latest expedition to the
east const of this country has discovered that a small isolated tribe here in the vast
deserts of the extreme cast almost rivals the Alaska artists with respect to carving
in bone and ornamenting their weapons and utensils. The chief difference is, that
in Alaska, engravings illustrating human life and the animals of the country are the
most popular objects of the artist, whereas the cast Greenlanders excel in small
reliefs representing for the most part animals and mythological beings grouped
together and fastened with admirable taste and care to the surface of the wooden
implements.

With reference to the arts of the Eskimo of Greenland, Docitor
Henry llink^ remarks:

It must be noticed that though the present Greenlanders appear to have a pretty
fair talent for drawing and writing, scarcely any traces of the arts of drawing and
sculpture belonging to earlier times remain, with the exception of a few small
images cut out in wood or lione, which have probably served children as play-
things. The western Eskimo, on the other hand, displayed great skill in carving
bone orn.iments, principally on weapons and tools.

Drawings made by Greeidand Eskimo for Doctor Rink greatly
resemble the American schoolboys' efforts. A recent produ(;tion of
precisely like character in almost every respect is from the island of
Kolguev, and reproduced herewith in plate, together with the following
explanation :

Some interesting illustrations of Samoyed drawings are given by Mr.
Aubyn Trevor- liatt ye in his "Icebound on Kolguev," Westminster,
181J5. Kolguev Island lies 5() miles north of Arctic Europe, and is sep-
arated from the continent by what is known as Barent's Sea. It is
about midway, in distance, between Waygat Island — immediately south
of Xovaya Zemblya — and the eastern extremity of Lapland. The
Samoyeds here are entirely isolated, from the fact that they po.ssess no
boats that could venture 50 miles across the sea — an interesting cir

> "The Eskimo Tribes." Copenhagen and London, 1887, pp. 15, 16.

^ "Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo." Edinburgh and London, 1875, p. 69.

: i

772

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

cuiiiBtance, because tliey are often, from various supposed or accidental
similarities in customs and manners, coupled with the Eskimo, a people
with whom the kayak and umiak are the chief methods of transportation.

The illustrations represent ordinary pursuits, and appear to be made
upon paper by means of a pencil. The peculiarities of drawing are
very much of the same character as the Eskimo sketches obtained by
Doctor Uink in Greenland. One example will suffice. Plate 10 re|)re-
sents Samoyeds killing walrus. The black dots on tlie right are heads
of seals, at which a man, lying flat upon the ice, appears to bo shooting.
The hunter appears as if placed in the air, though in reality the view
seems to be from above — as a bird's-eye view — the figure of the man
corresponding, in this particular, to like portrayals in several Eskimo
engravings on ivory, from Alaska.

Captain Parry mentions having charts made by the natives of Winter
Island. A first attempt made " was by placing several sheets of paper
before Iligliuk, and roughly drawing on a large scale an outline of the
land about Kepulse Bay and Lyon Inlet, and terminating at our present
winter quarters. * * • Iligliuk was not long in comprehending
what we desired, and with a pencil continued the outline, making the
Land trend, as we supposed, to the northeastward. Tlie scale being
large, it was necessary when she canie to the end «»f one piece of paper
to tack on another, till at length she had filled ten or twelve sheets, and
had completely lost sight of Winter Island * * * at the other end
of the table. The idea entertained from this first attempt was that we
should find the coast indented by several inlets, and in some parts
much loaded with ice, especially at one strait to the northward of her
native island, Amitioke, which seemed to lead in a direction very much
to the westward. Within a week after this, several other charts were
drawn by the natives in a similar way. * * * The coast was here
delineated as before, on a very large scale, but much more in detail,
many more islands, bays, and names being inserted. It was observ-
able, however, that no two charts much resembled each other, and that
the greater number of them still less resembled the truth in those parts
of the coast with which we were well acquainted."'

An interesting illustration of a Greenland map made by natives of
the east coast is given by Mr. G. Holm in his Ethnographic Sketch of
Angmagsalikerne.^ This consists of three blocks of wood, along the
edges of which are cut various indentations and curves, leaving pro-
jections, all of which are intended to portray the contour of the shore
lines between various important points on the east shore of Greenland.
Channels, capes, islands, and other topographic features are apparently
well reproduced, at least sufficiently clear to permit of their identifica-
tion when compared with a large chart of the locality referred to.

'"Tales and Traditioim of the Eskimo," by Doctor Henry Rink. Edinburgh and
London, 1875, pp. 162, 1(53.

'^EthuologiskSkizzeaf Augmag8alikerue(Si«rtrykafMeddelel8eromGr0nland, X).
Kj0benhavn. 1887. 8°.

i f

Report .■)< U, S Nitiona Muieum 1895 _Hri"T.ar,,

Plate 10.

ORAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

773

Mr. Alfred (J. Ihtddoii' HuyH:

All litiiiiitn luiniliwiii'k Ih NiiliJiMt to the Hniiin o|M<rntion of ftxternul t'onum, but the
iiiuteriitl on which th«se I'orct'H iicl is uIho inUnitely vuritMl. The *liv(>rNo rucea iiinl
peojile of iiiitnkiiiU hiivi> liiftbront idt-uH luul ideulH, iiiie*|<ia! Hl<ill, v»riri«l niatoriiil to
wdik ii|ioii, aud (liHHiiiiilar toolH to work with. Kvorywhun^ th<« eiivirouiiieiit iit
«lirt«ront. ' • •

Tho coucliision thiit forcoil itHolt' upon nio In that tho tloconitivu art of n |ioo|tlo
(looH fo a curtain extent rotitict tiieir iliarauter. A poor, niiK<<ra)iht pcojile liavo |)oor
iui*l iniHeralile art. Kven anioun; mivage»4 leiHiiro from tho fares of lif*< {h immtntial for
tlio rulturtf of art. It iH too often HiippoHotl that all Havagos are la/y and have au
ahiiudanco of nparo time, hut thiH is ))y no nieann always tho cam;. HavaKen do all
that itt niM'eHHary for lifu; anytliin<{ extra In for ox<'itenient, a-HtheticH, or religion;
and even if there Ih alMindance of time for th«>He latter, it does not follow that there
Ih an eijuivalent Hiipertluity of energy.

The l!l.skiiuo uro » peculiarly lively i»eople, and keenly uppreciutu any-
thing ludicrous. Contrary to the Indian generally, they can enjoy a
practical joke without thought of resenting «nch if personal. Su<;h
a condition, especially when there is an abundance of food, so that
unoccupied time may be utilized for social enjoyment, is one which is
apt to foster pursuits that lend {j^iatitieation and pleasure to the sight
and stimulate artistic tendencies. Shamanism prevails extensively and
ceremonials are frequent; and apart from this there are numberless
individual instances where natives consult the shaman for success in
almost every avocation, and also for the exorcism of demons from the
body of the sick, and for **■ hunter's medicine," i. e., securing the help
of a shaman that game may be directed in the way of the hunter. It
is but reasonable to presume, therefore, that the superstitions and cult
beliefs should, to a certain degree, manifest themselves in the art, as
well as to be the means of developing a symbolism similar in degree to
that found among other peoples living under similar conditions and
surrounded by like environment.

The possible introduction into western Alaska of articles of foreign
art or workmanship may thus have ha<l but little influence upon the
native Eskimo in adopting new designs and patterns, with which he
was unfamiliar and the signification of which he did not comprehend,
but it may have suggested to him a simplification of approatshing forms
with which he may already have been familiar.

MATEIIIALS EMPLOYED.

IVOUY.

The material generally used by the Eskimo of Alaska is walrus ivory.
This is both durable and suflflciently hard to retain indefinitely, with
proper care, the most delicate etcthings. Its white or cream tint forms
a delicate background for any colored incisions, and in instances where
from age or otherwise the material attains a yellow or orange tint, the
black etching-like pictographs are really improved in appearance.

"Evolution in Art." London, 1895, pp. 7-9.

i^ :.

til ji

774

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

The animal wliicli funiiHlics this material is represented in Plate 11,
the spec-imen teehni(;ally known as KosmaruH o^^xn^, llliger, being most
abundant in Bristol Hay.

The walrus tusks are capable of softening and bending, .according to
Ca])tain llerendeen, a gentleman of considerable experience in the
region under discussion. The tusks are <livided longitudinally, one
tusk usually furnishing four rods, either by sawing or scraping and split-
ting. The process described below by Mr. Lucian M. Turner, us pur-
sued in former times and with primitive tools, is still praiitically the
same, though accomplished with modern tools purchased at the traders'
or obtained from whalers.

During his i)rotracted residence in southern Alaska, Mr. Turner
studied carefully the customs of the Kskinio, and for special instruction
in some of the arts the natives worked in his presence, thus atibrding
every opportunity desiied.

In response to my in4|uiry regarding the primitive methods of pre-
paring the ivory drill bows, an«l their subsequent engraving with
pictographs, the following communication was kindly sent to me by
Mr. Turner.' He says :

The abniulance of walrus ivory in tlie diiyH prior to tlie advent of Americans (the
Rnssians did not encouraj^e tho use of lirearnis l>y the natives and Htringently jiro-
hihited tlie sale of such weaj)onn t^xcept in greatly favored instances) permitted tlie
Innuit to senire the hest character of ivory when wanted; lienc(( the selection of a
tusk depended entirely upon the want or use to which it was to he applied. Later
the best tusks were sold and the inferior (|ualities retained, as is well shown by the
comparison of the older and the more recent ini]deinents created from that material.

The tusk selected was rudely scratched with a fragment of quart/, or other sili-
ceous stone, along the length of the tusk until the shjirj) edge would no longer deei)en
the groove; the other three sides were scratched or channeled until the pieces of
tusk could be separated. Sometimes this was done by pressure of the hand, or
eflected by meana of a kuifeblade-shaped piece of wood, on which was struck a sharji
blow, and so skillfully dealt as not to shatter or fracture the piece intended for use.
The other side, or slabs, were removed in a similar manner.

The piece intended for drill bow or other use was now scraped -ubbed) with a
fragment of freshly broken basalt, in which the cavities formed u..vlitioniil cutting
edges and aided in the c<dlection of the bone dust. When this was explained to me,
I suggested the nsi- of water, but the native (Innuit) smiled and continued his
work. I soon saw he know better than I how to reduce the si/e of a s(rip of walrus
ivory. This attrition of the surface was continued until the anjiroximate size was
reached. The h«des or perforations in the ends were produced by means of stone
drills after a depression had been nmde by an angular piece of stone, any stone
capable of wearing away the ivory substance. A few grains of sand were put into
th'.' shallow cavity and the stone drill started by means of another drill or by a
string or thong similar to the manner in making lire.

Various sizes of stone drills were made, and by their use the diti'orent holes were
produced. It is unusual to find two pt^forationsof the same <liameter in any object.
These 8ton<' drills were used in making the long holes in ivory objeits of all kinds.

The linal smoothing of the surface of the ivt»ry ])iece was effected by rubbing it
against a line-grained stone or in the hand whert; fine sand was held; lastly, two
pieces of ivory were rubbed against eitch other and thus a polished surface produced.

' Letter dated 1 Jecember 2(5, 1894.

«*

\ t

lIlilMli <B I

Report of U S Natmral Museurr, 1895 — Hoffrran.

Plate 11,

rial.

8ili-

leejK'ii

es of

(1, or

baip

use.

til a
ttinj;

Die,

1 liiH
ilru8

e wuH

8t<IIl«

stone
into
liy a

were
jjet't.
intls.

"K it
, two
iced.

■\

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

775

Tlu^ etching was done with sharp edgos of fragments of (liut. SoinotiiueH thesu
stone fnigmeuts were skillfully fastened into a piece of wood and iise«l as gravers or
oven as lan(!ets. In later years files and saws were used to i-ut the ivory into the
required shape, and pieces of steel were used to make the holes. Often a three-
cornered lile was the instrument u.*ed to make the holes.

The drill liow or other implement or utensil was not produced in a day or oven in a
month, as these articles were usually created for personal use. I have km)wn of
such articles heing taken along while on a protracted hunting expedition and there
worked upon to while away the oftentimes tedious hours of watching game. Again
I hav«' known when a native had recj nested a friend to etch some design, and in their
festivals, conuuemorating their dead, these articles were often pnisented and highly
cherished as gilts. Other articles of ivory often passed as a legacy from a relative
to another, and highly valued by the owner.

With respect to the walrus ivory and antler, both of which are
eniploj'ed by the engraver for the portrayal of various tigures, Mr.
Turner writes : '

You will observe many of the larger objects of ivory and antler liave outer or
engraved portions of herder substance than the inner or core portion. Von will ])er-
ceive that in bent or curved aft'airs the outer part is always the denser portion of
the material. This or these substances warp or curve because of their unei|ual
density of parts. The native saw that heat would unshape a straight piece of ivory
or antler, and, taking advantage of what the sun did, he laid aside the piece where
it would become moist, and then placed it before the lire, core next to the lire, and
warping was the result.

In the winter the heat of the sun v is not sufldcient to produce harm, but when the
warm rays began to heat objects, the native was careful to put his ivory or bono
implements of the chase in the shade of a house or on the side of his cache, or within
a plact! where heat could not affect it.

I never saw them dip any such object in hot water ok try to bend it by force.

The absence of graphic art among the Eskimo of Greenland, Labra-
dor, and the region between Hudson Bay and the Mackenzie Kiver,
can not entirely be attributed to the lack of horn, bone, and walrus
ivory, as one or more of these materials appear abundant in certain
localities. P>y graphic art as here named is not intended the ordinary
ornamentation by means of lines, dots, etc., nor the sketi^hes on paper
referred to by Doctor liink, but the etchings upon the several materials
by means of gravers, to portray graphically records of hunting exi)e
ditioiis, shamanistic ceremonies, and other subjects of which numerous
examples are here given passim. The great supply of ivory in Alaska
<'omes from near Port Muller, in Bristol Bay, and the more northern
coast and islands. Mr. Dall, who is authority for this statement, adds,
furthermore, "that the amount of walrus ivory taken annually will
average 1(>0,0(M> i)ounds."^

Some of the utensils in the National Museum are made of fossil ivory;
and of this to Mr. Dall remarks, "that it is not uncoimnon in many
parts of the valleys of the Yukon and Kuskoquim. It is usually fouml
on the surface, not buried as iu Siberia, and all that I have seen has
been so much injured by the weather that it was of little commer(;iaI

' Letter dated March IH, 18JHi.

""Alaska and its Resources. " Itoston, 1870, p. 504.

776

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895

value. It is nsually blackened, split, and so fragile as to break readily
ill pieces. It has Jilso been found on the shores of Kotzebue Sound and
tlie Arctic coast." '

('aptain William Edward Parry,^ durinj;' his secoiul voyaj'e for the
discovery of a northwest i)assa};e, fountl the walrus in tolerable abun-
dance ill latitude 08° 22' 21" north, and longitude (by chronometer)
Hio 5({' 5;-," west, which places the locality on the east coast of Mel-
ville Peninsula. lie remarks:

In tho coiirHf of this day tlio walruses becaiiio more and luoro numerons every
hour, lyiiifj in larj;e herds upon the h)08o pieces of drift ice; and it liaving faUeii
<'alm at I p. m., we dispatdied our ))oat8 to endeavor to kill some for the sake of
the oil which they afford. On approachinjj the ice, our peo])le found them huddled
dose to, and even lying upon, one another, in separate droves of from twelve to
tiiirty, the whole ntunber near the boats being i>crhap8 about two hundred. Most
ol' tlu'in waited (piietly to be fired at, and even ;ifter on(> or two discharges did not
seem to be greatly disturbed, but allowed tlie people to land on the ice near them,
and, when approaclied, showed an evident disposition to give battle. After they had
got into the water, three were struck with harpoons and killed from the boats.
When first wounded, they became (juite furious, and one which had been struck
from Captain -Lyon's l)oat made a resolute .attack upon her and injured several of
the planks with its enormous tusks.

The author above cited mentions, furthermore, the occurrence of
reindeer and musk ox, both spetries of animals furnished with horns
that might readily furnish excellent materials upon which to inscribe
pictorial representations of exploits or events. Great abundance ol
the former are killed in the summer time, "partly by driving them
from islands or narrow necks of land into the sea, and then spearing
them from their canoes, and partly by shooting them from behind
heajisof stones raised for the purpose of watching them, and imitating
their ])eculiar bellow or grunt. Among the various artifices which they
employ for this purpose, one of the most ingenious consists in two men
walking directly from the deer they wish to kill, when the animal
almost always follows them. ^Vs soon as they arrive at a large stone,
one of the men hides behind it with his bow, Avhile the other, ccmtinuiug
to walk on, soon leads the deer within range of his comi)anion\s arrows.
They are also very careful to keep to leeward of the deer, and will
scarcely go out after them at all when the weather is calm.'' '

HORN.

Quite a number of si>e(imens of Esk.mo workmanshij), upon which
both simple forms of ornamentation and pictographic rec^ords occur,
consist of pieces of reindeer horn, obtained from the IJarrenground
caribou or reindeer, shaped into the form desired for the purpose. In
plate 12 is reprodiu'ed a museum group of Woodland caribou {Ilangifcr

'"Alaska and its Resources." Moston, 1H70, p. 17JI.
Tlic .Journal of a second voyage for the discovery of a nwrthwest passage from
the Athmtic to the I'acilic. London, 1821, p. 220.
'Idem, pp.420, 12L

Report 0* U S National Museum, 1895 - HoHmarv

Plate 12.

Ilicl)

jcm',

Iniul

\ijer

a.
O

troni

''at

Report of U S National Muteum, 1895.— Hoffman,

Plate 13.

I u

!': i;

ll!

Weavinq Utensils of Horn.

Plate 13.

Report of U S National Muteum, 1895 —Hoffman.

Plate 14.

Hunting Records of Horn.

\ i

14.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE

14,

'•'K. 1. I'KTOUIUI'II ON J}(,M.;.

(C'mI. .Vo. :;:i:!i,-,. r. S. X. .M. \,
i.U. 1'. l.'KCOlil) ON lioxK.

"lit. \(i. r.'!iL'T7. r

lloii Sill

mil. (■

ll<'l liy i;. \\-. \,,]

son.)

VifiH. I-

K.\NT.\(t Oli lUCKKT H

'al.X.i. ;i77li;, r. s. X. M

■^^^ N'. M. SI. Mid

latls. (',
A.VDi.i: OF Horn.

ll'ClllI liy I,. M. I I

7. Kant.\(; H.andle

Xoitlnrii liartiilXort

I'm. X

s ov Antm.;

on Siiiiiiil. (•

IIS. ;i;i:!ii, ."itiid!), :i:;;;|^

Colk'Ollll l,y E. w. Xoli)„,i

K.
!iml ;i:i;ilo.

leit.'.l l.y K. \V.N..lsiiti.)

ii.-i|i(cliv..ly, \\ s. .\. M. X

iTton .s„i,,iil.

Report of U S N,

ational Museum, I895._HofffT,,

Plate 15.

Native Knives

Plate 15.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 15.

1 [i 4

l'i.;r. 1. Dkcorated Kyiw Handlk

""'■ ■■*"''"°''' '■■ "• '■"^ >'■ ,11"' •■ ' ■'•"■•■■>"l <•> E. "■. N..|,.„„,,

m li!

■J

^,:

Report of U. S. National Museum, 1895- HofJman.

Plate 16.

i ;;

Dancing Mask of Wood.

Plate 16.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 16
'''■.>.N..M. Kii,ko.v».m. Collated by E.W.NeU„n.)

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

777

tarauflus carihou Kimt), a variety fouiMl farther south than the Barren-
{jrouiul variety, which is believed to be the one best known to the
Alaskan Eskimo. Several utensils emph)ye<l in net weavinj;- are siiown
in )»lat«' 13, tij^s. I, L', 3, and several short, stout slabs of horn, neatly
oniainented with animals and short re<'ord8 of hunting exploits, are
represented in plate 14, ligs. 2-7.

NO speeimens of horn of either tiie mountain sheep or the mountain
goat. Itoth of wliich are emjdoyed by vari«)us other and ivore southern
coast tribes, have us yet been found in tlie colleetion of either the
National .Museum, or that of the Alaska Connnereial Company, in San
Francisco, California.

BOXK.

Another article very often met wit li, inscribed with various kinds of
ornamentation and pictorial work, consists of bone, both the larger
bones of the legs and ribs of reindeer, and the humerus of the swan,
the latter serving as tubes for needle cases or snutt" tubes. Hpecimens
are shown farther on.

A small piece of bone, rudely incised, is shown herewith in plate 14,
tig. 1.

Some ornamented bone knives will be referred to under the special
class of subjects to which the records pertain. Such weapons aie
emi)loyed in skinning and sometimes in cutting up animals, and native
portrayals of such avocations are also rei)roduced in several illustra-
tions. The handles, and sometimes the blades of such knives, some
with steel blades used in working and fashioning the ivory rods and bag
handles, are decoi'ated as in j>late !.">, tig. 1.

WOOD.

Wood is sometimes used for various articles, such as boxes for tobacco,
small utensils and tools, and women's trinkets. These are freipiently
incised, but the ornantentation is limited to sim])le figures comj)osed of
straight lines, and perhaps dots.

In the country of the Magenuits — who inhabited the vicinity of Cape
Ivoiiianzotf and reach nearly to the mouth of the Yukon Kiver — wood is
rei)Oited as very scarce, and is an article of trade.'

Wood is sometimes used for ornaments, masks, and toys, the surface
of which may be whitened, aiul upon this other designs are i)ortrayed.
Such an instance is shown in plate Ki, c<msisting of a dancing iiuisk.

The(Jreenland map, before mentioned, may also be noted in this con-
nection.

The only other examytles in the C(»llections of the National Museum
are from Toint liarrow, and may here be reproduced, together with the
descrii)tions given by Mr. Murdoch:

This consists of a toy obtained in Point Barrow and deposited in the

'"Alaska and its licsourcfs." Boston, 1880, p. 407.

778

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Nationul Museum. It is a «*liild's toy, resiMiiblin^ what American boys
would <'ull a "bu/z" toy, and wh'wh wouhl by them be made of the
v(mii(l tin top of a slioeblackin^ box.
The si»ecimun herewith reproduead in tig. 1 is of pine \\oo«l, ratluM-

■■^-^ssas^^

Via;. 1.

WOODEN "lir/.Z " TDV. I'DINT llAliUDW .

obloDft- in shape, and thrimjih the two perforations in the middle are
passed the ends of a sinew cord. The specimen is about il.'i inches in
length. One end has a border of black on both tjKes, while the other
has a similar border of red. The middle square, 1 inch across, is

■n i'

Kiii

WOODKN MASK AMI l>A\('IN() (lOHOET.

also in red, and from the corners are lines extending out to the respec
five corners of the tablet. The conipartinents thus fornied are orna-
mented with tigures (»f various objects. On the left end face of the
illustration a it* a goose; the next at the toj) is a nuin with one liand

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

770

elevated and the other apparently ho curved as to pretend to touch
himself, indicating that he is conteniphiting soniethin^orhasperfonneu
some deed; the third space contains the conventional h{?nre of a
whale's tail to in<licatc that animal, and in tiic remaining space, at the
bottom, is a whale with what appears to denote a th)at attadu'd to a
harpoon line.

The other side of the tablet, that bearing' the i-oid, has in tln^ lelt
hand sj>ace an animal probably intend4>d to denote a wolf; tiic ui>per
panel has within it a deer, the horns lieiu};- turned back, whereas to
denote the reindeer they would be turned forward; the next, like the
first, appears to be a wolf, while the fourth has two animals seated
upon tiieir haun<'hes, facinj; one anotiier, after the manner of doys,
althongli they appear to closely resemble the first and tliinl, which are
believed to denote wolves, as before stated.

ec
la-
le
■nd

'3fe2?

K.VNClNd OOUOKT OK WOllI); FROM POINT HARROW.

An old and weatherworn mask from Point Barrow is shown in fig. 2.
It is made of spruce wood, and measures 7 A inches in lenjjth. It is
peculiar in having the outer corners of the eyes somewhat depressed,
and in addition to the mustache and imperial has u broad "wiialeman's
mask " drawn with black lead across tlie eyes.

M- Af- doch' says of the specimen that ^'this mask has been for a
long .i.u; fastened to an ornamented wooden gorget, and appeared to
have been exposed to the weather, perhai)S at a (cemetery. Tiie string
is made of unusually stout sinew braid."

A decorated gorget is shown in tig. 3. It is from Point liarrow, and
Mr. Murtioch' describes it thus:

It 18 made of spruce, is 18.5 iiu-hes loiijj, iiiid has two hcckets of stout sinew liraid,
one to go round the neck and the other round the Itody nndcr t ho, wearer's sirnis.

' Ninth Annual Report of the Hiirean of i:thnolgy for 1887-SS, 1S!J2, pp. Mu. :iV,H,
fig. 3(57.
- Idt in, p 370, fig. H72a.

780

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Tho ilKiirnH aro all itaintod on t\w frout ftuio. Tn the initldh* Ih a inuii painTe<l wiili ro*I
orliitr; nil tlio rast of tli<« ti^iiroB avi' liliick jiihI |ir<)))alil,v ))aiiit<-<l with noot. I'iuf
man with Iuh arnm outHtn-tithttd NtaiulH on a ]ai'){o whale, ruprcHi-ntinl aH Hiioutiii^.
Ilo iiohlH a Mniall whale in each hand. At hin ri^'ht in a Nniall croNH-shapHl olijoct
which ]icrha|m rn|)roscntH a bird, then a man facing toward the lelt and darting a
har])oou witli both liandH, and a bear facing to the left. On the left of the red man
are two nmiaks witii iivc men in each, a whale nearly ellaccd, and thn'e of thf crow-
Hhaped objects alr< aily mentione«l. Kelow tln^m also, freshly drawn with a hard,
blnnt lead pencil or the point of a bullet, are a whale, an umiak, and a three- eorn<-red
ub.jcct the natnn^ of which I can not nnike out.

A similar j^oiget, tVoiii the niiino jjlace, i.s sliown in fifjf. I, uiid appears
to liave been long exposed to the weather, perhaps at a (Hunetery, as
the liguies are all ettaced except in tlie niid<lle, where it was probably
''covered by a musk as in fig. 2, whieh was from the same village."

DAN'CINO OOItOKT UK WOOD; FUDM I'dlNT UAUkOW.

Mr. Mnrdo(;li says of this that "there seems to have been a red bor
der on the serrated edge. In the middle is the same red man as before
standing on the black whale and holding a whale in each hand. At
his right is a black umiak with live men in it, and at his left a partially
eflacod ligure which is perhaps another boat." The strings are for
se(;nring the gorget to the dancer's neck and body.

Mr. Murdoch' remarks of the human figure holding the whales:
"This umn or giant, able to hold out a whale, appears to be a legend-
ary character, as we have his inuige carved in ivory. V\'e unfortu-

' Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 1892, p. 371.

(JKAl'MIC AHT OF THE KSKIMOS.

781

s:
1-

iiately <li(l not succeed in Ictiniiii}; iinytliin^' more altoiit liiiii, oxcupt
tliiit Ills iiiiine (ii|»paiently) wiis ' Kikiimi^o.'"

"Tlu's«>. j;oijf(ft8 a|»p«'iii' to have ji'oiie out ol fashion,*' continues the
above-named author, ''as wo sa\v none which were not very old, or
whi<'li appeared to have h«^en used recently.'*'

MKTAI.8.

Copper, brass, an<l white metal (consistiii};' of bhx'k tin, lead, etc.), as
well as an ot-casional specimen uf iron, will be met with bearinj;' rude
desijiiis in ornamentation. Very little is done also in silver, esp(M'ially
in the nmnufactnie of bra(!«'lets, an art which was imported from tlu^
Thlinkit, who, in turn, oiuained their first suf^j-estions and patterns
from the Flaida Indians. Mr. Murdoch reports the i)ractice of en;;rav-
iuK iron pipe picks and Hint steels at Point Harrow.

SKINS OK ANIMALS.

Tanned hides of walrus are sometinu's used for purposes where a
touch here or there of ornamentation seems to be desired by the native
Eskimo.

Keindeer skin ami the snuill peltries used for articles of clothing are
sometimes decorate<l with desij;ns in color by means of small wooden
tools resembliiif? spoons, of whi(;h the back of the bowl is cut into pat-
terns, which are then moistened with the pigments ov stains, and
linally imi)ress«'d ui)on the skin or fabric. This process is very like
that practiced by the South Sea Islaiulers in decorating some forms of
tapa cloth.

TATTOOINa.

The human skin is also used for the i)ortrayal of various designs, the
practice of tattooing varying among the several tribes or bands of
Eskimo between xVlaska and Greenland. Plate 4 lepresents a Port
Clarence girl with typical tattooing upon the chin. In tlu^ femah; the
designs are usually limited to such vertical l)ars upon the chin. On
Plate 22, fig. 7, is also shown tattooing by pictography upon a <'arved
face.

Keferring to the Kskimo of Melville l*eninsula. Captain Parry ^
remtiiks:

Among tbfiir personal ornainonts nnisfalsi) l)o reckoned that mode of marking the
hody culled tattooin^j, which, of the custom.s not essential to th(! coiiilort or liappi-
n CSS of mankind, is perhaps the most extensively practiced throiijihout tlic world.
Among these people it seems to ho an ornament of indispensable imi)ortance to the
women, not one of them being without it. The operation is performed about the age
ot ten or .sometimes earlier and has nothing to do with marriage, except that, being
considered in the light of a personal charm, it may serve to recommend them as
wives. The i>arts of the body thus marked are their faces, arms, hands, thighs, and
in some few women the breasts, but nevtir the feet, as in Greenland.

' Ninth Annual Report of the Hureau of Ethnology for lX87-><8, 1892, p. 372.
- The Journal of a second voyage for the discovery of a northwest passage from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. London, 1824.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0 Iri^ 111

I.I

■ 45

■■M

j50

■ 6 3

" lis iio

II 1-25 1.4 1.6

►

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) S73-4S03

782

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

The operation is very expeditiously managed by paasing a needle iind thread, the
latter covered with lamp black and oil, nnder the epidermis, according to a pattern
fireviously marked out upon the akin. Several sketches being thus taken at once,
tho thumb is pressed upon tho part, while the thread is drawn through, by which
means th« coloring matter Ih retained and a pelrmanent dye of a blue tinge imparted
to the skin.

Ill the absence of needles, says the author, a strip of whalebone i»
used as a substitute. It is furthermore stated that the patterns *' are
nearly the same in all," and that <<a little of this kind of mark is on the
back i)art of their hands; and with them we understood it to be con-
sidered as a souvenir of some distant or deceased person who had
performed it,"

Marks of distinction by tattooing are employed by the men to denote
success in whaling. " Those men who are or have been captains of
whaling umiaks that have taken whales have marks tattooed some-
where oil their person, sometimes forming a definite tally."'

Mr. Murdoch refers to an example in the person of a native named
Afloru, who had a broad band tattooed across each cheek, extending
from the corner of the mouth backward toward the lobe of the ear.
These bands were ma^le up of many indistinct lines, which were said
to indicate " many whales." Another instance was that of a native
who " had the ' flukes ' of seven whales in a line across the chest."

The wife of the former " had a little mark tattooed on each corner of
her mouth, which she said were ' whale marks,' indicating that she was
the wife of a successful whaleman." '

McOlure noics that at Cape Bathurst he observed that a successful
hari)ooner had a blue line drawn across the bridge of the nose,^ and,
according to Arinstroi>g, he has a line tattooed from the inner angle
of the eye across the cheek, a new one being added for every whale
he strikes.^ Father Petitot remarks that in this region whales are
"scored" by "tattooing crosses on the shoulder, and that a murderer
is marked across the nose with a couple of horizontal lines."* It is
interesting, says Murdoch, that one of the "striped" men at Nuwttk
told us he had killed a man. In east Greenland tattooing is similarly
performed. Holm, remarking, in reference to the residents at Angma-
gralik, that "Mji'ndene ere kun undtagelsvis tatoverede og da kun
med enkelte mindre Streger paa Arme og Haandled. for at Kunue
harpunere godt." ^

INSTRUMENTS AND COLORS.

Various instruments are employed by the Eskimo in preparing for
the reception of pictographs the several substances used for that
purpose. The iiigments are now chiefly obtained from the trader,

• Ninth Annual Report of the Hurean of Ethnology, 1887-«8, 1892, p. 139.
'^ Discovery of Northwest Passage, p. 93.

=• Personal Narrative, p. 176.

* Monographie, etc., p. xxv.
»Geogr. Tidskrift VIII, p. 88.

id thread, tho
g to a pattern
aken at once,
igh, by wbicb
inge imparted

'halebone is
tteriis " are
rk is on the
b to be con-
n who had

)n to denote
captains of

x)oed some-

tive named
, extending
of the ear.
Ii were said
of a native
chest."
jh corner of
lat she was

i snccessfnl
nose,^ and,
inner angle
very whale
whales are
a murderer
Bs."* It is
at Nuwftk
is similarly
at Angma-
og da kun
at Kunne

epariiig for
d for that
bhe trader,

p. 139.

Report o' U. S. National l^useum, 1895. — Hoffman.

Plate 1 7.

Saws for Cutting Ivory.

E 17.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 17.

^ig. 1. Saw.

<Cat. No. I,:.„4J. .v„.,ers„„ «ive... (;„„„„*., „, c. P. o

Gaudet.

If '

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

783

though in former times they were prepared from ininersil luid vejjetuble
substances.

Plate 17 represents two saws used in cutting ivory. The specimen
shown in fijj. 1 is from Port Clarence, and apiiears to be made of a
piece of a steel saw of American manufacture, but from the appearance
of the specimen the teeth were filed into it by the native. It is
hafted to a piece of ivory and secured by means of a niece of metal,
apparently a nail.

Plate 17, fig. 2, represents a saw of a thinner piece of metal with a
very irregularly tiled cutting edge. It is attached to a piece of ivory,
and was obtained at Anderson River. This instrument was used in
splitting walrus tusks lengthwise, as well as cutting them into shorter
pieces when necessary. In the bone or ivory comb represented in Plate
22, fig. 4, may be seen the effects of native sawing and an attempt to
make teeth.

Several forms of knives before referred to are illustrated in i)late 15.
The upper left-hand figure (fig. 1) is a woodworking knife, obtained at
St. Michaels, and sent to the Museum by Mr. E. W. Nelson. The handle
is made of a rib, a slot in the forward end being made there to receive
the laterally curved blade, and in this respect resembling to a limited
degree the type used by most of the Indians of the Great Lakes. The
blade is secured by means of a thong.

Upon the back or obverse side of the handle is a depression one-eighth
of an inch deep and tive-sixteenthsof an inch in diameter, which shows
ample evidence of having been used in holding a fire drill, or some other
variety of drill. Upon the front side of the handle appears the outlines
of three sailing vessels, immediately behind the right-hand figure being
a pit surrounded by a circle with four radiating lines, beyond which are
indications of an attempt to make other concentric circles.

These knives are used in fashioning wood into various forms, and
also, sometimes, in shaving the roughened edges of ivory rods.

The specimen at the upper right hand (fig. 2) is from Kotzebue Sound.
The handle, like the precjeding, is made of a rib, while the arrow-shaped
piece of metal constituting the blade is secured by means of two rivets,
one of iron and one of copper, while the anterior, a third one, has fallen
out, leaving only the perforation.

The cutting edge is slightly concave from point to base and may
have been made so intentionally for the purpose of causing slight con-
vexity to the surface operated upon. This style of knife is also some-
times employed in shaving down ivory rods to the desired form and
thickness.

The third specimen (fig. 3) was obtained at Norton Sound. This bone
gouge or chisel represents the type of tool used for stripping off birch
bark for canoes before the iron tools were introduced. It is apparently
made of the leg bone of a reindeer and bears ornamentation of peculiar
interest. The transverse bars consist of parallel lines by twos, and

784

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

I ■

If t\

Buverul times by threes, between wliich is the ulternating dentate pat-
tern, the result of the interlacing, or alternate approximation, of points,
the intervening surface resulting in a fine zigzag pattern. The simple
zigzag lines occur near the middle of the specimen, while the small lai
eral ornaments resembling bird tra<'ks are conventional tree patterni;).

The incisions are all stained with what appears to be red ochcr.
Total length is 12^^ inches; has a sharp cutting edge and shows evi
deu(;e of much use.

The ivory snow knife (flg. 4) was collected by Mr. E. W. Nelson at
the Ghalitnmt village, and occupies the bottom i)la<!e on plate 15. The
specimen is lijf inches in length and 1\^ inches across the widest part
of the tolerably sharp blade. The bottom of the handle is ornamented
with seven projections representing seal heads, the eyes and mouth of
each being clearly cut and blackened. Along the toi> or back of the
blade are three parallel creases, crossed at intervals by short lines.
The upi)er edge of each side of the blade has two parallel lines extend-
ing from the base to near the tip, from the lower one of which extend
short <^ shaped ornaments resembling the legs on some of the Eskimo
mythic animals. The line, extending almost halfway along the bottom
edge of the blade, has single short lines projecting backward, at a slight
angle, at intervals of about half an inch apart. This is a simpler form
of ornament, though of the same type as that upon the upper side of
the blade.

Along the center, on either side, is a line terminating at the middle
of the blade in a circle within which is another and a central perfora-
tion tilled with a hard wooden i^eg.

The central line on each side has simple, short, oblique lateral
incisions as ornaments, while the outer circle has lines radiating at the
cardinal points.

On plate 18 are reproduced three bone skin dressers, figs. 1 and 3
being obtained from the Thlingit Indians, while flg. 2 was secured at
Sitka, no specific tribe being referred to in the records accompanying
the object.

The ornamentation on plate 18, fig. 1 consists chiefly of three rows of
small squares being arranged in order to resemble a checkered surface,
the one series of squares being plain while the other is specified by
cross lines. At the upper edge, embracing a little more than one-third
of the surface, is a longitudinal surface marked by pairs of diagonal
lines.

The specimen on plate 18, fig. 2, has most of the surface of one side
divided oft' into three rectangles, all but one of the lines forming the
boundaries, being decorated on the inner side by broken series of small
triangles. This is a common Eskimo pattern, but has not the oppos-
ing fellow so as to form the zigzag. The pattern does not occur on
other specimens of like workmanship from the Thlingit Indians, or
firom Sitka, excepting in the specimen on plate 46, fig. 3, in which two

fi
%

r dentuto pat-
iou, of points,
. The simple
the stuall hit
tree patternH.
Je red oclier.
id shows evi

VV. Nelson at
)late ir>. The
widest part
3 ornamented
iind mouth of
r back of the
' short lines,
lines extend-
ivhich extend
f the Eskimo
ff the bottom
'd, at a slight
simpler form
ipper side of

> the middle
itral perfora-

lique lateral
iating at the

igs. 1 and 3
s secured at
companying

liree rows of
red surface,
specified by
m one-third
of diagonal

of one side
'onning the
ies of small

the oppos-
)t occur on
Indians, or

which two

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 18.

l"\<^. 1. Skin Dhksski!.

(Cat, No. W.im. V. S. N. M. Tlilin-ii In.liiuis. ( ■,.1I,.,|,.,1 l,v Lieut, (i, V. Kmiiions

r.s, N.) '

l'i;,^l'. Ski.v I>i{ks.ski{.

((,';il. \(i. 71!l,-)4. r. S. \. AI. Siikii. <'«illi.ctc(l liy -Icilin .1 . Alcl.iiiii.,

I'i;;. ;{. Skin Dukssii;.

(f':il. X.I. l(W:t.-.h. Tlilinuil liKliaiis. (,'ollocted liy l.iciit. (i. !•'. Kii is, IS. N.)

Rrpi)rt„t U S National Mu.riim. I H<iS -HMttriijn

Plate 18.

KiiiiiiDim,

Bone Skin Dressers.

»l

Report of U. S. National MusHunn, 1895.--Hotfman.

Plate 19.

V I

Various Forms of Gravers.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 19.

8
4

V\ii, ]. (;i{A\ Ki?.

(',':ii. N'.i. 4s:mi, I', s. \.
'•'ij,'. 'J. (;i{AVi;i{.

I Cat. N
I''ig. 3. Gkavi;

M K.iiz.l

nil' Noil

11(1. (■(.11..,I,<1 l.y K. AV. \,.l

o. :.':iii7. r.s. N. M.

i{.

A mil I'Miii L'iviT. (',,11,

■I'll l).v K. M.Fiiil;

son.)

nil' I

I-IH. I. (

!•

I,U'. 5. Gl!A\ K

(Cut. Nil. L'(i!ii. r. s. N. M. \
iRAVKi!

Cut. Xn. .lllll.-lil, r. s. N, M.

liiliT.^mi I;

■!■■ Colli'ili'il ],\ i;. M.l-.'irli

III'.)

I'url (1,

iivii.c. r,,llii(,il l,y \V. II. K.iii

(•'ill. .\i,.4|.-,!ii I-

S. N.M. (■

i|pf Nc

lllf. r,,l|,.,|,. 1 |,y K. W. X,.].,

.11.)

Til— in-i\mmmim^tmmm»n

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

785

short rows of triangular liffures appear near the middle, while at the
left are three larjje triangular patterns placed so as to form a zigzag,
or V-shaped, design, this being merely an enhirged illustration of the
snjaller i)atterns above noted. At the other end of this specimen is a
group of isolated transverse lines; from the middle of the end is
issuing a continuous horizontal line, 1^ inches in length, terminating
in a bifurcation exactly resembling the common Eskimo conventional
tree pattern. In the middle space of the tool is a pair of parallel hori-
zontal lines, also terminating in similar bifurcations; this, however,
niay be meaningless, though it resembles a doubletree symbol, or it
might also be taken as denoting a seine shuttle, examples of which
are given in several illustratious.
Mr. L, M. Turner writes:'

Circles are made with a graver; formerly a sharp corner of Hint set in a stick.
* ' * In later days a three-cornered file, one worn out, was substituted, and the
manner in which I saw him — an expt-rt ivory worker at St. Michaels — use it was
simply pushing it fron> him, turning the ivory round as the circle was K'l'ved, a
little deeper at each turn.

The straight decorated lines were made as two deep channels at a suital>le width
apart; the serrations were made by pushing from the outer edge of the ridge
toward the groove. These sculptures are, not made in a day, wt^ek, or month ; many
objects are not completed in years, as many of them are lif»i histories of the indi-
vidual. The Innuit is never in a hurry, and each thinks he has a lifetime before
him.

The Kaniags or Kaniaks, the inhabitants of the island of Kadiiik
and surrounding ishinds, " are possessed of great skill in carving
ligures and other objects from walrus tusks, the material being
obtained from tlie Alaska Peninsula." Mr. Ivan Petrott",^ whose words
I am quoting, remarks furthermore:

They also make very nicely carved sniitVboxes of whalebone. Formerly all these
objects were worked with stone implements, itut the use of iron lias long been
known to the Kaniags, who used it at the arrival of the Uussiaiis. The savages
said that iron was occasionally cast tipon the beach by the waves [sic!J.

Keference has been made to the steel pointe<l native-made gravers
used in various processes of engraving. In plate ID are represented
live instruments, (ig. 1 of whicli was obtained at Kotzebue Sound by
Mr. E. W. Nelson. The hamlle, a little over ."> inclies in length, is
niade of bone. A slight slot was cut at the large end, into which was
inserted a short piece of iron or steel, secured by wrapping with thin
cord, apparently of sinew. The point of the instrument is acute, and
admirably a<lapted for etching or scraping.

The second figure from the top (lig. 2) was secured at Anderson
liiver by j\Ir. \l. McFarlane. The bone handle bears indentations, so as
to admit of secure gras[)ing. The point of steel is inserted in the end

'Letter dated March 18, 1S«)6.

'■'Heport on the ])o])ulation, industries, and resources of Alaska,

1880, VIII, p. 141.

NAT MIS '.Jo-

Tenth Census,

-50

786

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

i "

U "

f ''i
I

and tiled down to a narrower width tlian that liidden from view,
point measnres ^\, of an incli in heiglit and is only about i,V of an i
thick. The front edge is not at right angles to the sides, and t
furnishes a better and shari)er cutting edge.

The third or nii<ldle specimen (fig. 3) is froTu the same locality as
preceding. The handle consists of two pieces of bone, so arranged
to unite smoothly and also to hold in place a piece of steel, which hi
been sunk partly in each half of the handle by means of a slot ma
by sawing. The two pieces are finally tied together with a sinew cor
The apex of the graver is rather more acute than in the precedi
spe«'inien.

The back of the tool is also ground to a cutting edge, to be us
in scraping smooth such surfaces reipiiring treatment previous
engraving.

An interesting specimen occupies the fourth place in the series (fi,
4). This is from Port Ol.arence, where it was obtained by Mr. W. 1
Dall. The two pieces of bone composing the handle are secured to oi
another by means of a peg passing vertically through them, and t\\
wooden pegs, of no special use apparently, are inserted in handle traiu
versely. Like in the preceding, a slot has been made with the front
each piece so as to secure the flat piece of metal (!onstituting the blad
The point is neatly finished, and it will be observed has a very aciiti
tip turned downward so as to afford the best possible means for fint
engraving in hard material. The two pieces of handle are tied together
with a leather or skin thong. The entire length is il inches.

The fifth and lower specimen (tig 5) is from Cape Nome, and wa>
secured by Mr. Vj. W. Nelson. The handle is composed of two piece-
of walrus ivory; two pegs pass vertically through them to hold then
together, while the broad blade is, as usual, inserted in slots made ii
both pieces of handle. The wrai)ping consists of sinew or hide, beiiij:
so covered with a layer of hard grease and dirt as to prevent identifita
tion. The front edge of the instrument is at an angle suflicient t^
furnish an excellent cutting edge. The entire length is 4 ,\ inches.

In addition to the above remarks concerning the second specinjen,i
is of interest to call attention to the fact that upon the right hand sideoi
the handle there occurs a rounded cavity, made with a rude implement
which may have been intended for use in drilling — by steadying tin
drill at the top. Such depressions and for such purposes are not rare

Mr. L. M. Turner, Captain Herendeen, and others to whom refereiic
is made elsewhere state that formerly the natives used fragments o;
flint or quartz with which to engrave and decorate specimens of ivory
bone, and other materials used for utensils and weapons. The snial
fragments of siliceous material were inserted in the end of wood or bom
handles, though sometimes they were large enough to use without tlif
aid of a handle.

After a carefiil examination of all the engraved specimens of Alaslcan

, 1895.

Iden from view. The
y about ^rV <>f »« in<'li
D the sides, and thui<

e same locality as the
' bone, so .arranged as
ce of steel, which has
means of a slot made
her with a sinew conl.
han in the preceding

ting edge, to be used
reatment previous to

>lace in the series (fijj.
)tained by Mr. W. II.
idle are secured to one
hrough tlieni, and twd
serted in handle trans
made with the front of
lionstituting the bladi',
rved has a very aciiti
ossible means for fine
andle are tied togctlit'i
is -il inches.
Cape Nome, and wa>
posed of two piece-
rh them to hold then
lerted in slots made ii
sinew or hide, beiiif
to prevent identitio
jn angle sullicient i
gth is 4 i\ inches,
e second specimen.!
Ithe right hand sidn
ith a rude implemciii
|g — by steadying tin
lurposes are not run'
Irs to whom refereim
ps used fragments i'
specimens of ivory
reapons. The snial
I end of wood or botu
to use without tlu

pecimens of AlasUaii

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

787

rt work, in the collections of the National Museum at Washington, Dis-
Irict of Columbia, and the Alaska Commercial Company in San Fran-
cisco, California, it appears that the more modern specimens of ivory
♦re engraved in a nnmner indicating the use of steel-pointed instru-
iaents, such as are shown in plate 19. The lines or incisions are fre-
quently very pronounced and represent deep regular cliannels in which
the two sides converge to a sharp cut beneath or at the bottom, resem-
bling a V-shaped groove of elegant uniformity. In the older specimens
of ivory carving, such as are very much surface worn by frequent and
long continued handling, or have been in the possession of certain
.^individuals and families for a long time, the creases have become less
|de(!p, and where they are sheltered by lateral ridges they still indicate
Ian origin of a more primitive kind, being made, perhaps, by less expe-
frienccd artists or with ruder instruments. The numerous hair line
Iscratches and freciuent apparently accidental slips of the point would
|indicate the use of a point less acute than the modern steel gravers
'?inade by the natives at this day, and which are herewith illustrated.
I In .some of the later engravings the grooves are regular, deep, and
Ipronounced, the cut being sometimes vertical, so as to show the lateral
ii'dges at right angles to the horizontal base of the groove, indicating a
'sStrong hand pressure of a square cutting edge. The greater number of
fines are made, evidently, by using an angle of the graver, the result
being similar to that resulting from the use of a variety of the three-
Bided or triangular graver u.sed in wood engraving.

An examination of the ends of short lines, especially those employed
in simple ornamentation, illustrates at once that most of them are made
by cutting from the outside toward the main object or body of the
design. In this manner the very short lines resemble arrow-headed
ornaments or projections, or minute triangles. This is particularly
apparent in some of the specimens referred to in connection with
liunventionalixing and to the art of the Polynesians.

Drills and simple borers appear to have been made by securing to
Wooden handles rather thin but elongated pieces of chalcedony, or similar
iiliceous minerals. Slight dejuessions or pits apparently made by such
tocds are frequent, and it is probable that before the introduction of
Bietals nearly all i)erforations in bone, wood, and probably in ivory,
vere thus made. In larger cavities in bone and ivory, such as would
Serve for steadying the rear or upper end of a fire-drill during rotation
0f the latter, the origin thus attributed is often very clear, the rounded
ca\ ity, when not yet entirely smoothed off by use, retaining the marks
of workmanship made by a crude tool or instrument.
; That circles were made by turning the specimen to be engraved and
holding firmly the stone-pointed graver and pushing it toward the
Specimen has been affirmed by one correspondent; but such instances
^ere no doubt rare, and it is believed that no example of a circle,
ucleated or otherwise, made in this ott'hand manner will be found in
he extensive collection of the National Museum.

788

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

)ii;mA

Ca])tain Ilerendeen states that sometimes a fragment of flint — though
generally one of iron or steel and consisting of a narrow strip of perhaps
the width of a large nail — was filed at the end so as to receive u
V-shaped notch, one point being a little longer than the other. It is
well known that pieces of hoop iron, nails, and other articles of iron
and steel are similarly employed by our native Indian
tribes, and it would indeed be a strange fact if the Eski
mo did not seize upon and utilize such a valuable sub
stance as metal when the opportunity was presented,
and after having seen sailors and others work them
into desired shape by hammering or tiling.
The nuclei of many — I might almost say
nearly all — concentric circles are deeper
than the circles surrounding them. This
may be the result of having the longer
point of such a V-shaped notched tool
forced deeper into the material to be dec-
orated, giving the instrument a secure
point for rotation, so that the outer or
cutting end may not so readily slip from
its intended course.

Inthismanner,andformakingconcentric
rings, one such tool would be necessary for
each size of circle required. Reference to
the various illustrations will elucidate this
more clearly.

Accurate measurements of the diameters
of circles upon any particular specimens
indicate the use of a number of such in-
struments with different sized bits, and
varying distances between the points.

Another class of circles, with nuclei,
appear to be made with auger bits, the
central pin being tiled to a sharp point, while the
outer vertical cutting edge is also tiled so as to cut
toward the surface of the ivory, and to remove the tex-
ture upon wliicli the auger is impressed The grooves
resulting from such work and with such an instrument
are sharply detined, with lateral sides and a nearly level
bottom, while the circles are mathematically accurate
in form. An illustration of such work is reproduced in
plate 19, the specimen being from a locality north of Norton Sound.
The smaller and more delicate circles occur on earrings and other lil.e
objects of personal adornment, sind upon such articles of frequent neid
as sewing utensils, examples of which are given in a number of illus
trations.

Fip. 5.

DRILL FKOM POINT
BAHROW.

Fig. 6.

DRILL FKOM POINT

BARROW.

1895.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

789

ent of flint — thougli
row strip of perhaps

80 as to receive n
an the other. It is
;her articles of iron
Y our native Indian
nge fact if the Kski
nch a valuable sub
lity was presented,

others work them
mini;:.
3tsay
eeper

This
anger
I tool
i dee-
ecure
Br or
from

mtric
yfor
ce to
) this

eters

mens

1 iu-

and

clei,

the

cut
tex-
aves
lent
evel ^^'K-^-

, J. DRILL FKOM POINT

^^^ BARROW.

I in

of Norton Soun<l.

nga and other lilvC
of frequent nei d
number of ilhis

Fig. 7.

UBILL MOUTHI'IECK WITHOUT
WIN08.

TTpon the pipestenis also are shown excellent results of such aborigi
nal work, the ivory stem shown in plate 20, bearing eight sets of
circles, that one nearest the brass-bound mouthpiece consisting of but
a single circle with its central pit or nucleus one-eighth of an inch
deep, while the circle itself is but a mere hair line in comparison; the
next two tigures consist of two circles eaijh with the central spot, the
next four having three circles each beside the central point, while
tiie last, or eighth, has four concentric rings and the central nucleus.

According to measurement, the inner or pri-
mary circle, in all, is three-sixteenths of an
inch in diameter; the next larger one, begin-
ning with the second ring, is one- fourth of an
inch in diameter; the next larger, being the
outer circle on the fourth figure, measures
three-eighths of an inch, while the outer cir-
cle of the last figure, having four rings, meas-
ures one-half of an inch in diameter.

The central pit or nucleus in each of the
circles, excepting two, is tilled with a tightly fitting wooden peg,
smoothed oflF level with the surrounding surface, and carefully black-
ened to accord in color with the surrounding blackened circles.

This regularity in diameter of the several sizes of circles indicates
the use of a bit, or tool, of foreign manufacture which the natives
obtained probably through barter. The sizes increase by one-sixteenth
of an inch each time a change is made corresponding exactly to the
regulation sizes used by carpenters and other workers in wood.

Drills are used for i)erforating all kinds of materials, wood, bone,
ivory, and even metals, and are much more common than awls among
the more northern natives. The handles are of wood and sometimes

bone, the point being made
of iron or steel, though before
the introduction of metals
flint and similar siliceous ma-
terials were employed in arm-
ing the tool.

The illustration given in
fig. 5 is a bone pointed drill
from Point Barrow, while fig.
« represents one with an iron drill mounted in a handle of spruce wood
which was once painted with red ocher. When the natives use the drill
and bow, both hands are necessarily occupied, one in steadying the
object to be perforated while with the other the bow is held and moved
horizontally to rotate the drill.

Therefore, to produce the necessary pressure upon the top of the
drill, the native puts into his mouth a drill mouthpiece in which the
top of drill rotates. Fig. 7 represents a mouthpiece with an iron

Fig. 8.
DRILL MOUTHPIECE WITH SOCKET OF IRON.

790

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

socket, wbile in fi^;. 8 \h another also of wood, but holdint; a socket ot
syenite to withstand tlie friction of the drill.

Some of the specimens in the collections of the National Museum arc
decorated with the usual deep incisions found in I'oinf Barrow ba^
handles and tinted with what appears to be red ocher.

In several instances the wooden pegs inserted in the i>erforations
made to represent eyes, ears, or nostrils, of small animal forms, arc
cohered, and in other specimens, such as earrings, glass or porcelain
beads are inserted instead.

After the etchings have been made in the iv(»ry or otiicr material,
the creases or incisions are colored so as to bring out the design in
sharp contrast to the surrounding surface.

Mr. Turner informs me that "the black substance used to coh>r the
etched lines was from the charcoal prepared froui burned grass, then
powdered, mixed with oil, and rubbed into the etching. Afterwards the
begrimed hand of the owner was sutHcient to renew the cohu'ing mat-
ter. Some of the etchings are colored with a red substaiice which (an
innovation in the art) is procured from the traders' stock."

Mr. W. 11. Dall remarks:

The culorutiou of wooden articles with native pifjiiujuts is of iincient orij^iu, but
all tlie more elaborate instances that have come to my knowledjic bore marks of
ct)mi)aratively recent origin. The j)i<jnients used wen- blue carbonates of iron and
copper; the ijreen fungus, or jicziza, found in decayed birch and alder wooil ; ha>niu-
tite and hmI chalk; white infusorial or chalky eartli; black charcoal, gra]diite, and
niicact'ous ore of irons.

A species of red was sometimes derived from pine bark or the cambium of ground
willow. In later prehistoric burial ]daces, the wooden earrings bear the colors
uearly as bright as when lirst applied.

11 J

PORTKAYAL OF NATURAL AND OTHER OBJECTS.

In the following illustrations, which represent selected lignres from
various records, will be noted the several styles of illustrating like
species of animals, and the ti«lelity of expression and outline of some
specimens in further illustration of the intimate acquaintance by the
aboriginal artist of the subject by which he attempted to portray his
skill.

Plate 12 serves to illustrate the form of the Barren-ground caribou
or Alaskan reindeer, as well as the horns of the male and female, wliiic
in the representation of the form of the walrus similar accuracy is
attained, as may be observed by comparing numerous etchings witli
the illustration on Plate 11, which represents an exceedingly well-
formed walrus.

In fig. 9 is presented a herd of reindeer shown in various attitudes,
the general execution of the figures being very cleverly done. Tlie
heads of some are turned to the front, thus showing decided success in
an attempt at foreshortening; some of the animals are lying down, as
if resting, while others appear to be browsing.

B»5.

Iioldiiij; SI socket ot

itioiuil Museum ure
Point Burrow bay

er.

ill the ]>ertorutioiis
aniniul t'ornis, are
^lass or portM'lain

' or other material,
out the (lesion in

e used to coh)r the
burned yrass, then
I};. Afterwanls the
V the cohu'ing" niat-
ibstance which (an
stock."

of anciont ori;fiii, hut
iwlcdjic lioro iiiiirkH of
carltountcs of iron and
ml aldtT wooil ; hit'iiiu-
hurcoal, graphite, and

Report of U S Natiniia. Museum, I8>>5 Hnlftiian

Plate 20.

cainhiuin of gronn*!
iujjs bear tlio colors

BJECT«.

ected liji:ures from
illustrating;' like
ul outline of sonu*
quaintanee by the
ted to i)ortray his

en-grouml caribou
and female, while
uiilar accuracy is
JUS etchings witli
exceedingly welt

various attitudes,
iverly done. Tlie
lecided success in
re lying down, as

t' (

)

GRAPHIC ART OP THK ESKIMOS.

791

The aniinalH coinpoBing the herd in II);. 10 »re iMigravtMl so as to rep-

[ resent tlieiii in varioim attitudes. In No. 1 thu animal apiK'ars to lui

[coniin^r up, as out of a depression, or water, while in No. 2 the aninnti

[JH i^raxiii};. No. 3 is in the act of lying <lown, as Hhown in tlie bent

legs. In No. 4 the animal is lying down, and the head is drawn ho as

to make it appear as if looking either toward or away from the btdiolder.

"^ iWN^ HL AIM

^ f^

IIBKI) <IK KKISIiEKU.

Foresliorteniiig is of rare oi'ourronce in jnimitive art, but besides tiie
pre<'eding instance the animal in No. is also partly ])ortraye4l in such
Ipin attitude. No. r» is not detinitcly depi(!ted, the horns being in
iuch relative position with the body as if the aninuirs head were turned

.iround as if it were licrking its side. No. 7 is a doe, while No. 8 is a

^%iale, without ivny indication of action being shown.

^^ 7-^ l^i^i^ Jt f^ i^ fB^ H^f^

12 8 4567 8

Fijf. 10.
IIBlin OK KEINDEKU.

In tig. 11 the native artist has certaiidy expressed an intimate acquaint-
Wice with the habits of deer. The attitude of the animal in Xo. 1
leems one of careless interest, if it may be so designate<l, in what the
iest of his comrades may show more concern. No. 2 is in the attitude
df rising from the ground, Avhile that in No. .{ exhibits a desire to move
•way as if from an enemy. No. 4 is shown, by the position of the legs,

jL^irn'm

jrf

Fig. 11.

HERD OF STARTLED DEEB.

Fij;. 12.

HERD f)F KTABTI.ED DEER.

Jo exhibit more activity in hastening away. The tbreshortening visible
|n No. 5 seems to place the leader of the herd in the attitude of a pro-
jector, being on the defensive, and showing a disinclination to run
^way from those over whom he may have exercised the privileges or
Rights of a leader. In this instance, as in the following illustration,
Very excellent workmanship and artistic taste are exhibited.
In the illustration shown in fig. 12 the deer have congregated

702

REPORT OF NATIONAL MITSRI^M, 1H95.

betriiuHc of III) iilarni, thoir IkmuIs boin^ directiMl fniwiini toward tli»
beholder, tlic tbri'sliorteniii); bciiij; admirably ('\t*<;uted. Four aiiinialH
are iiidieat«'d. three being so chmely plitred aH to make ideiitineatioii
ratlier dilHnilt.

Tlie varioiiH attitialeH of reiii<leer ]>ortniyed in fig. l<t are readily
diHcernibh', tlie heads and liorns aiding in spe(Mlically distingnisliing
the sexGH, as alst* tlio varions degrees of interest nuinifested at an
alarm, eansed by the nnseen approaeh (»f a linnter. The ilgnre at the
right end of the illustration hIiowh the native crawling up beliiiid a
hilloek covered witli tall grass and weeds, his hand holding an arrow
and bow which he pushes forward before him. Several of the aninnils
are drawn foreshortened, an attemi>t in art seldom found among the
aborigines.

Plate 21, fig. 8, is a drill bow, and is from Kot/e^bue Sound. The
upper or convex side represents a herd of thirteen reindeer in various
attitudes of moving forward and grazing. The fourth animal from the
left end is drawn with its head very gracefully elevated and looking
backward, a fact very unusual in an aboriginal pictograph. The
curves are deep and heavy and cpnte characteristir of the engravings
of natives of the region from which the specimen was obtained.

^ &JkJf>J-^^ tf^ct^ALk.

Fltf. 13.
HERD CIK UKINPEER.

This illustration is from the same bow of which the reverse is shown
in idate l-'2, tig. 2.

Plate 21, fig. G, is also a drill bow from Kotzebue Sound, and is
very yellow with age. The figures portrayed denote reindeer. The
jieculiarity of this record is the depth of the incisions forming the
characters, indicating bold, strong work. The under surface of the
bow also bears the outlines of reindeer (somewhat larger than those
upon the opposite side), which are drawn with great fidelity to specific
features, with the exception of the shape of the body. The peculiari
ties of tlie horns are carefully noted by the artist, and the various
attitudes are exceedingly natural.

]*late 22, fig. 2, represents a drill bow also from Kot/ebue Sound,
measuring 14 inches in length along the convex surface. The reconl
portrays thirteen reindeer and three animals whi(!h may belong to tin'
same species, although because of their shorter necks and st<mt(M
bodies identiflcation is uncertain. The herd seems to be moving for
ward, some of them engaged in browsing, and some attempt appears
to be made at perspective. The three short lines at the upper right
hand side of the bow immediately above and in front of the riglithaini
figures of the deer are the outlines of three otter. All of these

unl towanl the

Kittir iininialH

:c iduiitincatioii

V.i ani readily
' (listin^MiiHliiiif;
aiiit'oHtiMl at ail
'lie Hifuie at the
II {i^ up behind a
iildiuK an arrow
1 of thv aninialH
>nnd anioni; the

lie Sound. The
iidecr in varitnis
animal from the
ted and looking
lictojjraph. The
■ the engraviugs
obtained.

reverse is shown

B Sound, and is
e reindeer. The
ions forming the
jr surface of the
iirger than those
idelity to specific
'. The peculiari
and the various

Kot/ebue Soun«l.
face. The record
nay belong to tin'
ecks and stouter
to be moving foi
attempt appears
; the upper right
of the righthaiiil
er. All of these

1 •* I

I i

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 21

I 1
J?
8
4
5
6

Fijj. 1. I{a(; Handle.

(Cat.Xo.48r.31, I'. S.N. M..
I'i^. 2. Duii.i, How.

(Ciit. No. 48521, tl. S. X. M.i

Fif?. :i. Bag Haxdi.k.

(Cat. No. 48528, T7. S. N. M.)

Fijr. 1. 1{a(J Haxdi.k.

(Cat. No. 48,529, I'.S. N. M.)

Fij(. ;■). Duii,i, J{o\v.

(Cat. No. 48.520, V. S. N. M.)
Fijf. t). I5AC. Hanoi. i:.

(Cit. No. 485:ii), r, S. N. M.)
All from Kol/.i'lmt' Sound. Collccfpd liv K. W. Nelson.

?-: ,

I i

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Report of U S National Museum, 1 895— Hoffman.

Plate 21,

^...^;

PXVPVWVWiW*"

'-J

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 22,

1
2
3
4
5

I'iu. 1. r>A(i llANDIK.

(Ciit. No, isnin.r.s. x.M.)

Fi;;. 2. HA<i IFandi-K.

(Ciit. Xo.^ls.VJK. T. S. N".M.) -

Fiii. :!. Duii.i, How.

(I'm. No. is.vj:>, r.s. N. M.)

.Ml tVoii; KotzpliMP Souml. ('oUcctfil Uy K. \\'. .Nrlsoii.

FiJ,^ I. l{A(i llAMH.K.

((,'at. No. S1M24, r. S. N. M. I'oiiit liiirrow. ColliMtrd liy I.itiit. P. II. Kay, f.S.A.)

Fin. •"• IMfii.r, I'mw .

((;iit. No. inriJl, r. S. N. M. Kot/tOum Sound. Collcilcil liy ]•',. \V. Nclnon.)

Report of U S Nafiona' Museum, 1 895— Hoffman.

Plate 22.

11. Kav. r.S. A.)

r. Ni'lmiii.)

-I
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Report of U. S. National Museum, 1895.— Hoffman.

Plate 23.

! I

' I

'I III

Utensils of Bone and Horn.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 23,

y'lii. 1. Ill I 1, iDij Si.NKW vnn SvAi.i, Nkis.

I'll. No. |:;:,'j:i, r.S. N.M. (;iip»' Viincoiivi'i-. .( iillei tcil \>\ Iv W. NcIhoii.)

Fi.i;. 'J. I'him. Skin 10 SiHTTi.r..

' .11. \n. mis, r. S. N'. M. (jiip.' Nnliir. (".illf.'M-cl liy I',. W. N.'l.sdii.)

Fiu. ::. <.i;.\>> (Omi! ok lioM-..

' il. Nil. I.^:)!!, r. S. N. M. Kiilzchiii' Si.iiiiil. <;i.llc end l.y !•:. W, Ni'l.soli.)
I'i;:. I. I'lSIIINi; ImIM.KMKN T.

■I'lil. Nu. :;>)J7ti, r.S. N. M. I.nw.T Viikiiii. (iillccti.l l.y K. W. N.-lsim.)

._l

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Report 1)1 U S. National Muwum, IBS') Hnffman.

Plate 24.

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F. XPLANATION O^ PLATE 24.

In.li.;. I5<>\V,

il. N(i. ItL'ii'.i. r. S N. M I ■,,!,.■ |),nli.\ . ('.ili.Tiiil li\ i: W. \c1niim.)

I )i:ii I, I'luw .

-u:;!. r..-. N.M. SI.

Uhiiiil.

l)i:iM. r.ow,

(r.,i No. r'.i'il. r, >. N. \l. NiiliiiinMiiliiiuiilMK. ('

■i.ii i.\ i: w. \, N.i

I. I>!:ii I, lidW.

M'.it. \i). I lltiC. C. S N.M. fiHirNMin

.'). IldDKlN.
(fill. N.
'li;. <p. I!()li!vl\.

7H, I'

N..\l. N.irl..M

(lill.rlril l.\ i:. W. \,

iiiii. r,,;i|..>i.',l ti\ K, \V. Ni

(Uiit. Nil. :i;il7T, r. ■^. N. .M. .V' ric.n Suiiinl. Culli'i ii'l l>y 1'. W. .Nil.-nn j

h I

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Report of U. S National Museum, 1895— Hoffman.

Plate 25.

Boxes of Bone and Tusk.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 25.

V\)i. 1. Ivory Caskkt.

(Cat. No. '.MdOtl. St. Michat'ls. Cdllfctpa hy I.. M. 'I'linier.)

Fi.u. '2. S\ri'K I>i>x.

1 ("at. No. ;!:n'.l". l'. .S. X. M. Norton Sound. CoUettt'il by K. \V. Nolsoii.)
Fig. 3. Itox KOK Ft\<;f.s Asii.

(Cat. Xo.4H,")3S. r. S. X. M. Kolzcluif Soiiiid. (.'oUeclt'd l)y K. \V. Nt"I.son.>

III

i:i&^i.sMin'i.A.::,.^:,^i::

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

793

enjfravinjis are cluiracteristic of tlie crude deeply incised lines of the
work ac(;(>inplislicd by tlie Indians of Kot/,ebue Hound an<l vicinity.

Plate 23, fig. 2, is a bone seine shuttle from Cape Xoine. This is
ornamented with several almost indefinite lines at the left, probably
representing seals, while the four conspicuous characters represent
well engraved outlines of the reindeer. The shading or marking upon
the bodies of the animals is indicative of the markings of color upon
the animal, and upon the two middle figures this marking is indicated
by delicate vertical lines very artistically rendered.

Plate 24, fig. 4, represents a triangular drill bow obtained at Cape
Nome. The specimen measures 13:^ inches in length. The thirteen
figures at the left rei)resent walruses, two of them heading toward a
kaiak occupied by a single hunter who appears to be chased by a
walrus coming from the opposite direction, as if it had been pursued
and probably angered by the five hunters shown in the umiak immedi-
jitely to the right of it. The native in the stern end of this umiak has
successfully harpooned a walrus, as is indicated by the delicate /ig/ag
line connecting his hand with the harpoon which is securely embedded
in the breast of the animal. Now, turning the bow upside down, there
will be seen two walruses being towed along by an umiak occupied by
five hunters. Immediately to the left of this umiak
is another boat of similar construction which has just
been pulled on shore, as the position of the boat indi-
cates, as well as the attitude of the six natives walk-
ing along toward the left, each with something in his
hands, which has evidently been taken from the boat,
and which has been captured or secured on the hunt,
six figures indicate habitations. Again reversing the bow to the origi-
nal position, opposite to the beached umiak is a walrus which has been
captured by the hunters in the umiak proceeding toward the right and
toward another walrus which is there shown. The remaining six fig-
ures indicate habitations and storehouses, while between the former
are shown human figures in various attitudes as if occupied inditt'erent
tasks. The under sides of the bow bear hunting records, numbers of
which will be shown in other connections.

On plate 25. fig. 3, is shown a box for fungus ash. This appears to
be made of a piece of bone, is \ery crude, and bears about the nuddle
a row of five figures, the larger one representing a whale, the next a
reindeer, while the three smaller ones appear to be animals of the same
species.

Fig. 14 probably denotes one of the water birds, though why it fig-
ures on the ivory drill bow without any other characters, in context, it
is impossible to say. The attempt at engraving a record nuiy have
been abandoned.

The two characters shown in fig. 15, are without doubt deer, as no
other species of the family is found in Alaska in which the tangs of
the horns project from the posterior ridge of the main branch. In the

Fig. 14.

FLYINO niRD.

The remaining

794

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

iifll

Via. 15.

HBINDBKU.

Fig. 16.

KEINUKEK.

Fig. 17.

REINDEKIl.

elk, wliidi is not found ho far nortli, tlie tangs project from the ante-
rior ridge, while in the reindeer tlie liorn is specifically bent forwanl

at the middle, and tlie
anterior prong, or "snow
shovel,'' is also usually
indicated.

The accompanying il-
lustration of the rein-
deer, tig. 1(), is <!arefully
drawn to Indicate the peculiarity of the curved horns. It is rather too
short in the limbs in comparison to the size of the body, and although
the work is tolerably good, comparison with
other illustraticms will be found to be of interest.

Fig. 17 is a variant of the
proceeding, and much better
in both resemblance to the
animal it is intended to

represent as Avell as in an artistic ]>oint of view.
The accompanying figures illustrate the various
typical forms of the same animal as drawn by the
natives of various parts of the west coast of Alaska. Fig. IS leiu'e-
sents some etchings from a sijecimen obtained in Point Barrow, though
the style of en-
graving is not
very nnich like
that of those
people.

Tliisa])pear8
to be one of
the few groups
in whicli the

horns are so unusually high and in which each animal has but two
legs, one at ea(!h end of the body.
A specimen of the reindeer shown in fig. 19 is from a fragment of a

Ixme obtained at Nor-
ton Sound. Although
the interior decora-
tion consists of (TOSS
lines, these are diago-
nal instead of at right
angles, as before. A
great difference in the
art work is visible.
The reindeer is followed by a wolf. Two interesting specimens are
reproduced from specimen from Kotzebue Sound. The character shown
in fig. 20 is heavy in outline, in having a stout body, over which the

Fig. 18.

RKINDEF.It.

Fig. 19.

BBIKDBER mtSUEU BT WOLF.

tlie aiito-
t for\vsir«l
aiul the
, or "snow
I) usually

luyiiig li-
the rein-
eare fully
atlier too
although

of view.
e various
rn by the

18 repre-
,v, though

5 but two

newt of a
Btl at Xor-
Although
r decora-

s of <'r088

are diago-
jf at right
efore. A
Mice in the
is visible,
iuiens are
iter shown
which the

■ m!

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 26.

Via. 1. Ska I, Drag.

Kal.Xo. i:j92l>7. r. S.X. M. St. Mi<liii.'lH (clh.ctcil l.v L. M. Tuni.T.)
I'ij;. -J. ILwDi.K 1(11! Kanta*;.

Hiil.Xc..;!i;;i75, r. S. X.M. Lower Vukon. Collected hy K. \V. X.lsoii.)
I'iu. :{. Skai. Dha.i. Miido to represent two seal heads, iipou the throat heiiii; ellljry
of whale, jtartly detached.

((•Mt.Xo.:i;m0.i, r.S. X. M. St. Mi.hael.s Islaiul. Collict..,! UyK. \V.Ncl.soii.,

Report of U S Natinnil Museum, I 895. -Hoffnnan

Plate 26.

Seal Drags and Bag Handle.

QRAPHIC! ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

795

FIr. 20.
KKINDKEIt, KoT/.KItl'K HOUND.

Fij?. 21.
KKINDKBII, KOT/.EBCK SOtl.ND.

Fig. 22.
KEINDEElt.

"'-'vIL"' ■-!'J

tlio etching uxt«M)(lH almost entirely, while in fij;. 21 the body of u simi-
lar iuiiinal from the same locality has hut a lew cross lincH. The horus
are very well represented within outline and
{general curvature.

An interestiu}; pair of animals is shown
in tiff. 22, the foreshortening being admir-
ably drawn, while at the same time nuiintain-

in}» the typical spe-
cific features which
are visible in all
other native drawings of the reind«'er.

Plate 20, fig. 1, represents a seal drag
from kSt. Michaels, l^^pon the upper portion
of the ivory utensil are neat outlines of
wolves, made with
considerable delica-
cy. The ornamental lines upon which they
stand and those encircling the ends of the or-
nament are a sort of meander or crude zigzag,

of which a description is

given elsewhere in connection with decoration,
Plate 14, fig. 1, represents a fragment of bone
from Norton Sound, upon which is a rude etching
of a reindeer approaching a wolf, the latter in an
inverted position. At tlie right hand
is a i)erforation, about whicli is a rude cin^le ornamented
with four radiating lines. Peneath this circle are two par-
allel curved lines with inner radiating lines, resulting iu a
very crude meander pattern.

The illustration of a wolf (flg. 23) shows the fangs iu
9^ the partly open mouth, the stift" ears, and long bushy tail.

'^TV The markings uixm the body may be simply in imitation
/\ of the etchings found upon most outline or solid figures,

/ \ though they greatly suggest the brindled fur of
Fig. 25. t^>® Canis occidentalis Dekay.
HUMAN FORM. Tlio porcupiue is quite common in some of the
southern i)ortionsof Alaska, and tig. 24 represents
one of these animals, the spines of which are used in decora-
tive work.

The engraving seems to have been made with a very sharp
tool, as the outlines are groups of thin parallel hair lines.

The selected character reproduced iu tig. 25 is so unusual
in general form, as found upon ivory or other engravings of
the Eskimo, that its presentation here is of interest for purposes
of comparison with the pictographs of other peoples, e8i)ecially the
petroglyphs of the western and southwestern, or Pacific Coast States,

Fig. 23.
WOLF.

Fig. 24.
POItCl'I'INE.

Fig. 20.

TWO MEN
IN CLOSE
EM II RACE.

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUREUM, 1895.

cinbrticiiig tlie area cliieily occupied by triboH of the Hhoslioniaii lin-
guistic fiiuiily.

Two tl^nrcH shown in <;h)so embrace, as in 11^. L'(l, may also denote
combat, as wcH as the ceremonial of the shaman, in which the demon
causing the illness is sh(»wn near the body of the sick person from
which it iH expelled.

The ^roup of lij^ures of the human form {i\g. 27) are selet^ted from u
number of en};ravin}>:s on ivory bows, chietly from siuithern Alaska.

No. I is a form frequently occurring in Kiate'xamut Eskimo picto-
graphs on wood, as when drawn uitou slabs of shingle or other smooth

1 :' ;i 4 5 7 8

Fig. 27.

VAPIKNTS OK TIIK HUMAN KOIIM.

surface to place over the door of the habitivtion when the owner 'eaves
for any purpose. It is abbreviated, and the result of carelessness or
perhaps incompetency of the recorder. No. 2 is another form of man
in which only the lower extremities are indicated, while in No. 3 the
arms are thrown out horizontally from the body to denote the gesture
for negation, nothing. No. 4 is a headless body and does not always
denote death, as is the practice among other pictographers, notably so
the Djibwa. No special information was received respecting the char-
acter, and it is probable that the head was obliterated by erosion,
having originally been drawn. The specjimen was copied from an ivory
utensil in the collection of the Alaska Commercial Company in San
Francisco, California, and was obtained from the Aiqalu'xamut lOskimo.

';'V

li^

Fin. 28.

VAIIKH'S KdliMS OK VESSKI.a.

The character m No. 5 denotes a canoe, or kaiak, with two persons
within it, while the two paddles project beneath. The right-hand
upward stroke of the boat represents the bow of the vessel. Nos. G
and 7, from Cape Nome, Alaska, are variants of the human form with
arms loosely extended, and form in No. 8, having fringe suspended
from the sleeves, probably a shaman, and very similar to the Ojibwa
designation of the Thunder bird, one of the divinities of the western
Algonkian tribes. The figure (No, 8) was copied from an ivory drill
bow obtained at Port Clarence, Alaska, by Doctor T. 11. Bean, formerly
of the United States National Museum.

Ionian liii

lIho (lunotu
tliu demon
M'son t'roMi

tvA from a
AIuHkii.
:imo picto-
lur BiuootU

rtjTrv

nior eaves
Ies8ness or
rm of man

No. 3 tlie
the },'e8ture
not always

notably so
g the char-
yy erosion,
m an ivory
my ill San
Lit ]<iSkinio.

vo persons
{ght-hand
1. Nos. C
form with
suspended
le Ojibwa
le western
ivory drill
, formerly

Report of U S N*t'nt,,il M„,..i,m, 184') MoffnrMin.

Plate 27.

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Report of U S. Natienal Mustum, 1 895 —Hoffman

Plate 28.

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Plate 28.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

797

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Fig. 29.

WHALING SHIPS NEAR A IMNE-COVEnED SIIOHE.

Tho portrayal by the native artist of boats, both the kaiak and the
umiak, is (»f sncli frequent occurrence in the Alaskan etchings and toy
ciuvings that tho photographic reproduction of native-made models
may be deemed of special interest. Plate 27 represents a kaiak, while
the illustration shown
in ]»late 28 represents an
umiak with raised sail.
Comparisons with
etchings are suggested,
as numerous examples
of the former occur in

abundance, and will be referred to elsewhere and in another connection.

Fig. 2S represents four vessels rigged up with sails, the one at the

extreme left being manned by Americans or mixed bloods, distinguished

by the presence of hats upon their heads. The hulls of the second,

third, and right-hand figures are in imitation of
the native made vessel of that size, which is
adapted to the erection of masts and small sails.
The artist has evidently intended to represent
the different varieties used by him or his family.
^^s-30. f,i fig 29 are represented two vessels, umler

scnooNEH. ^j^jj g^^ji^ within reasonable distance from shore,

as is indicated by the presence of two pines which loom up in the mid-
dle distance. No special motive appears to have pnnnpted the delinea-
tion of the ships, excepting perhaps the record of an unusual event
in the history of the locality where it is supposed to have occurred.

The portrayal of a schooner (fig. 30)
is perhaps only the result of "having
nothing better to do," as loungers often
whittle or engrave figures or outlines
of such things that create passing in-
terest. It is i)robable too that some-
thing of greater intt^est may have been
connected with the arrival of a vessel from civilization. This, however,
could only be cleared up by the artist himself or the person for whom it
may have been drawn.
In like manner, the illustration shown in fig. .5 1 may have been

engraved because of some
event of consecpience con-
__ nected therewith, or perhaps
because of the i)eculiar ap-
pearance in the Alaska waters
of a vessel with but one wheel, and that at the stern. Such vessels are
<'ommonon inland waters of the United States, but their seldom occur-
rence so far north may have been deemed of sufficient importance of
which to make a permanent record.

Fig. 31.

STERN-WHEEL STEAMBOAT.

ftiiiiuiiiiiiiiiHi -^

Fig. 32.

UMIAK.

798

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

A (Tiido or nnliiiishe«l uiniiik with four occu]>ants is sliown in i\g. 32.
The bodies are not indicated; tbe heads, arms, and oars being in<*ised.
The umiak itself is well drawn, but with mast or rigging erected.

Further reference to vessels, both as to pictographic variants and in
relation to (!onveyance by this means, will be made farther on in con-
nection with conveyance and domestic avocations.

IlEl'RESENTATION BY SYNECDOOHE.

The representation of i>art of an object to rei)resent the whole, or vice
versa, is not so common in the etchings of the Eskimo as in the picto-
gra]»lis of the Indians.

In many instances in the ornamented ivory records, parts of animal
or other forms are portrayed in this manner, and such abbreviated
characters are subse(|uently utilized and arranged in such order so as
to serve the pur])()se of simple ornamentation, the i>rimary object or
concept having but little if any further connection in its new position.

Mr. L. M. Turner ' informs me that '' the marginal engravures,
resendiliug the tail of a whale, are intended to represent the number
of whit(^ whales \ DclpliintipterKs nifodon (Linna'us) (Hll.] the owner (or
maker) of the ivory article has personally killed or taken in a net.

"]
1

■ i

l^fetMir^.

Fig. 33.

KSKIMO nUNTKU AND IIKIil) OK liKINDEF.R.

There are, sometimes, partnershii) pursuits of these whales (as well as
other creatures), and by mutual agreement the quarry falls to him who
first struck, killed, or otherwise would have secured the whales."

The spears which are i>ortrayed upon some of the engravings of
natives in kaiaks are placed so as to be upon a rest, similar to that
shown in plate 130, in order that they may be (piickly grasped tor use.
These rests are made of ivory, and in many instances are decorated.
The specinu'u herewith reprodut'cd is from Point IJarrow, where it was
obtained by Lieutenant P. II. Hay, tJ. S. A., and by him sent to the
National Museum.

The entire length of the specimen is S| inches, the distance atToss
the horns being 4|; inches, and across the base, just beneath the figures
of the whales' tails, L*^ inches.

The tails denote the owner to have been a whale hunter. The top of
the horns is fashioned in imitation of a whale's head, the long-curved
mouth being carefully indicated, wliile blue beads are inserted to indi-
cate the eyes. Upon the outer edge of each horn, c<nresponding to
the back of the whale, is a cross, in the middle of which is a blue
bead. The four loo])s of thong are for attachment to the boat.

' Letter datetl I'«;bniiiry 25, 1895.

Report of U. S National Museum, 1 895. -Hoffman

Plate 29.

wii in i\f;. r?2.
K'ing incised,
iiected.
riants and in
er on in con-

ivhole, or vice
in the picto-

rts of animal
abbreviated
ih order so as
ary object or
new position,
engravnres,
; the number
the owner (or
len in a net.

Bs (as well as

to liim wlio
hales."

gravinji's of
uilar to that

)ed for use.
'e decorated,
where it was

sent to the

tance across
1 the ligures

The top of
long-curved
;rted to indi-
sponding to
!h is a blue
)oat.

't^K

Speah Rest. Point Barrow.

■A

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

799

Tn the illustration shown in figure 33, the i<le.a of many and much is
expressed in the same line of thought or conception as in gesture lan-
guage. The herd of animals, instead of being indicated by drawing
the bodies of those in the foreground singly and complete, and only
])arts of tliose beyond being perceivable to the beholder, is represented,
with one individual exception, by a single figure of a long body, the
thirteen heads being subsequently placed at proper intervals above it,
while a certain, though deficient, number of legs and feet are drawn
beneath and extending to tlie ground. These are all drawn as if escap-
ing from the hunter.

At the extreme end of the engraving is the representation of a
hunter, armed with bow, and indications of arrows. Parts of the figure
have become obliterated by frequent use of tlie ivory drill bow. The
deer next to the hunter docs not face in an opposite direction, as if
escaping, but is drawn with the head lowered and directed toward him.
Tiie attitude has perhaps no special signification, further than that
this deer was secured by being shot with an arrow, whereas the
remainder of the herd which the hunter saw escaped. Compare also
figure of herds in plate 05, fig. 4.

Plate -1, fig. 3, represents the convex side of a drill bow, on the right
half of which are thirty transverse figures representing that number
of wolf pelts. To the right is one otter skin and the outlines of ten
bearskins. As will be observed, these figures are deeply cut and rather
conventionalized. The great amount of coloring matter and deep inci-
sions represent the bold, strong work, characteristic of the natives of
Kot/.ebue Sound. The lateral edges are ornamented with parallel
h)ngitu(linal lines.

The regular order of the outline of pelts and hides is perhaps not only
illustrative^ of the great number of animals killed, but the regularity and
repetition of specific i)arts of the animal's body, and the concavity of
tlie sides of the bears' skins, is a tendency toward conventionalizing.
( )n the whole, the record is a good illustration of synecdoche.

As there will be occasion to refer to another curious subject in pictog-
raphy — the transmission of special characters, or the utilization of
native symbolic characters to serve as substitutes to replace imported
or intrusive forms — it may not be amiss to refer in this connection
to the interesting result noted in Hritish coins, in which the native
Britons copied the obverse and reverse engravings which they found
upon tlu? gold stater of Philip of Macedon. The coins were introduced
into the country of the littoral tribes through traflfic with the Gauls,
while the latter obtained possession of them after Greece was plundered
by Brennus, B. C. 279.

The reverse of the typical stater bears a charioteer in a biga, the
two horses in the attitude of running, while behind is the outline of a
wheel, usually elliptical, as the space was not sufficiently large to permit
a circle as large as the extreme length of the ellipse to be recorded.

■

^IH>

■W*vBHff$

800

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 18!)r>.

The Britons in adopting the design for tlieir native coins, and being
perliaps — I may suggest the word certainly — unacquainted witli the
form, or use, of the chariot, and the signification of other characters
and figures found upon the (ireek prototype, rei)roduced in their sui;-
cessive issues and recoiniugs variations in these foreign cliaracters, or
replaced them by symbols with which they were acciuainted and of
which they comprehended the signification.

In many of the British coins the horses are reduced to a single
animal, though with legs sufficient for two, clearly representing the
pair by synecdoche, exactly as our North American Indian does in his
records of personal or tribal engagements with the enemy.

Illustrations relating to this peculiarity on the coins named, together
with the substitution of native and familiar characters and symbols
for those of foreign and unknown types, will be presented farther on.'

DECORATION AND ORNAMENTATION.

The importation into Alaska and the adoption by the natives of art
designs which are foreign to their own does not appear at all impossibh',
and the subject is one which would seem to oft'er an interesting lield for
investigation with a reasonable hope of interesting developments.

With respect to the probability of the transmission of such art work,
Mr. Hadden,- whom I have before <pioted, remarks:

As decorated objects must be conveyed by man, the means for their dispersal and
the barriers which militate against it are the same as those wliich operate on liuinan
migrations; but there is one difl'erence. Whore men go we may assume that they
carry their artistic eft'orts and proclivities with them, bnt decorated objects may be
carried farther than the actual distance covered by the manufacturer, or even than
the recognized middleman or trader.

This brings us to a very important subject, and that is the question of trade routes.
Trade routes are culture routes; an<l in order to appreciate the history of culture, it
is necessary to know the directions in which it (lowed. Until wo have a more com-
jdete knowledge of the ancient trade routes of Europe, we can not recover the history
of the prehistoric Europe.

This subject is now beginning to receive groat attention in the Old
World, and some highly interesting and valuable facts have been
brought to light.

In North America the study of prehistoric trade routes, or culture
routes, has thus far received but a limited amount of <*areful attention;
but some instances of curious results of intertribal traiiic have been
observed. Frequently designs of a specific character, such as may be
termed peculiar to a special tribe, are carried to remote localities and
there adopted by other tribes of an entirely difl'erent linguistic family,
whereas the same design or pattern of the former may not produce the
slightest apparent effect upon the recognized art designs or ornamenta-

'Sitecial attention is called to the Avork of Doctor .Tohn Evans, D. C. L. The Coins
of the Ancient Britons, London: 1864-1890. Platea A-N., and i-xxiii, together with
figures in text. Map.

'^Evolution in Art, p. 328.

* ,

GRAPHIC AKT OP THE ESKIMOS.

801

, and being
hI with the
' clisiiju'ters
n their siu;-
arficteis, or
ited and of

to a single

senting tlie

does in his

3d, together
lid symbols
farther on.'

itives of art

iinpossibh',

iug hehl for

ments.

!h art work,

(lispersal iind
ite on Iniinun
[lie that they
tjects may be
or even than

trade routes.

of cultiiro, it

a more com-

sr the history

ill the Ohl
lave been

or culture
attention;
lave been
Eis may be
lities aiul
ic family,
oduce the
namenta-

The Coins
gotherwith

;*,*

tion of an adjoining body of peojde of a like linguistic family and with
whom theie nuiy be frequent social intercourse. This is accounted for
in the instances in mind because of the absence of like materials and
resources quite necessary for a faithful imitation of the imported pat-
tern, the original being fully recognized as a cult symbol, and any
alteration however slight would immediately provoke the anger of the
gods. Therefore, a remote body of people whose cult beliefs are ditl'er-
ent, and who would i)erhaps not recognize the sacred or mystic import
of a symbol, might readily and without any hesitation adopt such pat-
tern as miglit suit one's fancy and subsecpiently alter it to conform to
the shape of the material upon which it would be imposed by incision,
impressed in color, or otherwise.

The northwest coast of America, between I'uget Sound and Kadiak,
is an excellent illustration of a culture route, and the arts of the vari-
ous Selisli tribes are traceable over a wide area. The peculiar designs of
the llaida, both in sculpture and in tattooing, have been gradually car-
ried northward into the territ(uy of the Thlinkits, the Kadiak, and have
been even recently adoi)tcd, to a limited extent, by the Aigalu'vamut
and Kiate'xainut Eskimo of southern Alaska.

Tlic original patterns of the Eskimo, such as the lines, dots, and
herring-bone i)atterns, do not seem to prevail against the rounded and
curved ligures and designs of the Haida art. The origin of the latter
is peculiar, and the alleged develoi)ment, if not the introducth)n and
adoption, of t\w. elaborate system of tattooing since about the year 1833,
certainly otters an interesting field for critical research.'

The llaida i)atterns, as has been intimated, are very different in both
design and concept as compared with the artistic work of the Eskimo,
iioth are ])eculiar to the regions in which they flourish, and no resem-
blance whatever is apparent. The Haida designs originate chietiy in
toteinic, mythologic, and cult forms, which have, in many instances,
become so highly conventionalized as to become ditticult of identifica-
tion. The Eskimo art embraces chietiy an attempt at personal and
family records of hunting exploits, with occasional ceremonials por-
trayed in little more than simple pictorial fonn, but there is present an
exliibition of the progress of recording both gestures and signals, to
aid in the explanation of the record, as well as fre<|uent attemi)t8 at
the record of subjective ideas, a system of jiictography foreign to that
of the Ilalda, and more nearly ai>proaching the petroglyjdis of various
tribes belonging to the Shoshonian linguistic family, ccmspicuous among
which are some of the pueblos of New Mexico and Arizona; and the
seulpturings found in Owens Valley, California, the authors of which
ire unknown but are believed to have been members of the same family,
both because of the typical resemblance of many of the patterns and
the geographic location of the sculptured bowlders.

See remarks on "Aboriginal Art in (Jalifornia and Qneen Charlotte's Island,"
W. J. Hottnian, in Proceedings Davenport Academy of Sciences, IV, 1885.
NAT MUS 1)5 51

802

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, WJ'k

Another trade route of importance in tlii.s connection is tliat siilbidcd
by tlie waters of the Yukon River. Kskiino patterns have been car-
ried up into the country of the Kenai Indians, a tribe usually desi^tuited
in the northwest as the Tenanah, and of the sanu> linguistic relation-
ship as the A|>aehe, the Navajo, and anion^ many others the llupa
Indians of California. These desiji^ns are made u]) of straight lines,
dots, and nucleated circles, and occur upon strips ol bone with perfora
tions at one end, and used, it is presumed, as necklace ornaments.
Similar ornaments are found also amon^; the Thlinkit, of which illus
trations are given on plate {>.

Jn the National Museum is an interesting relic made of horn, used
as acylindrical box for dentalium shell nuuiey, upon which arc incised
and blackened lines so arranged between two ]>arallel longitudinal
lines that the original white surface of the specimen is a serrated tigiu'c
and not the ordinary zigzag, plate .'iO. Although the rcs«'mblance of
this to some of the zigzag and meander patterns of the I']skimo is very
striking, no connection can be apparently traced between the two ])e(»-
pies, even along the supposed course of migration of the Ilupa toward
the coast at the time of the separations of the Apache or Athabascan
tribes, vivid traditions of which still obtain among the Apaches, and
linguistic evi<lence of which is complete.

A well-known trade or culture route — in fact, one of the earliest to
intluence the crude arts of the Eskimt> — was by way of the lHomedc
Islands, when the natives came in contact with the t'ossack outposts in
eastern Siberia.'

The tratlic which naturally resulted brought among the American
natives various articles of Hussian manufacture, among wliii-h, no
doubt, were ikons aiul other Christian and ecclesiastical obje(;ts and
prints, articles which are usually found to be highly decorated in both
design and color. Such objects would most naturally tend to intluence
the simple art of a people who were naturally given to the ornajucnta-
tion of various utensils and weapons, as also of arti(!les of clothing.

Through this channel were obtained, so ]\Ir. IMurdoch infoiins me,
the Siberian pii)es and seal nets, which, together with the native labret,
have extended eastward of Point liarrow to Cape IJathurst, beyond
which Ioca)ity,it is believed, neither are found. This blank area between
Cape Bathurst and the delta of the Mackenzie forms a barrier, or line
of demarcation, beyond which the several bodies of Eskimo are artis
tically distinct from one another. In other words, the three objects
named as common to the Alaskan Eskimo are totally absent east of the
locality indicated, as found by Mr. Murdoch during his residence at
the Point.

Mr. Haddon'^ remarks that although decorated objects pass along

'"There is good reason to believe that the Malayans, the Dutch of Asia, crossed
the Pacific Ocean in the pursuit of coinmerce." J)\vight. Travels in New England
and New Yorl<. New Haven, 1821. I, p. 129.

'' E volntiou in Art, p. 330.

is tliiit sin'oi'ded
liiivc Imm'Ii car-
lally (Icsi^nafcW
«:iii.sti(' rtiliitioii
Ikts tlu^ lliipa
' stiaifilit liiu's,
10 wirii peitora-
iire oiiiiiiiu'iits.
, of wliicli illus

e of lioin, ust'd
lit'li jin' ineisi'd
t'l loiiffitudiiml
seinitt'd fifiiirc
rcscinhlaiico ol'
I'slvimo is very
Ml the two ])e()-
«' 1 1 II pa toward
or Atliahascan
> Apaclu's, and

tlic carlit'st to
f tlie DioiiKMlc
wk outposts ill

the .ViiH'ricaii
S wlii(di, IK)

objects and
Diated ill botb
d to infiiiciice
le oriiaiiienta
•f clotbing.

informs nie,
native labret.
ir.ist, beyond
area between
iirrier, or line
mo are art is
three objects
lit east of the
residence at

i pass alon^

1' Asia, crossfd
New Eiigliiiid

Report,.! U, S. National Mustum, 1 BJ5.- H.if(ni»ii.

Plate 30.

Bone Box for Shell Money. Hupa Indians.

iifT

1 !'

(

Si : 1
15' '.p'

1 ¥■■

-^:

lii^

OKAl'HIC AKT OF THE ESKIMOS.

803

tnuU' routes ^muhI are disttibuted Car and wide, it does not alwayn nee
essuiily follow that the urnaiiioiitatioii itself is naturalized. It is poH-
sible that in many eases a eertain style otMeeoration is assoeiated with
a particular kind of object, and it nii^ht not occur to people to transfer
that decorativii style to other objects, or at all events the process would
doubtless be slow."

An interestinj;' example of bone dress ornaments, bearing; simple
deciuations and ronimon to both the eastern Kskimo and the Nascopi,
as well as the now extinct Beothnk Indians of Newfoundland, was
l>rou},'ht to my attention by Professor < >. T. Masou, Curator of Kthnoh){|:y
in the National Museum.

The specimens are reproduced in coh)red and plain sketches, and
presented to the National Museum by Lady Hlako, of the (lovernment
House. St. .Johns, Newfoundland.

The illnstrati(Mis represent the primitive bone oruaments worn about
the bottom of <lresses prit>r to the use of metal substitutes, such as are
now attainable from the whites. These ornaments are chietly of a class
which represent an inverted narrow letter V — thus, A — each about li
I or L'A inches in Ien;>;th and decorated with various angular desi|;ns.
Some of them have niar<^'iinil incised lines, within which and attat^hed
ItlHTcto are the base of trian}j;ular or serrated nnirkings similar to
[soiiie lOskimo ))atterns, shown in various illustrations.

|ton tlie eiuls of some other small horn ornaments are similar rude
t/ijLr/a^' ]Kitterns, as shown in other illustrations of Eskimo workman-
|sliip.

The information is obtainaide as to the conceptions which gave rise
Ito the art patterns of the Beothuk. The simple /ijjjzag may have
jresulted from an incised imitation of some notched ornaments nuule by
iNascopi, ornaments such as the Beothuk were undoubtedly familiar
pvith, as botli varieties are shown upon the same plates of illustrations
liiiade by Lady Blake. By laying the Nascopi ornament upon the slab
lof horn used l)y the r»eothuk, the incised serrations forming the border
jalinost exactly iit to the zi}^/.a<;' or serrated ornamentation foiining a
jbHrder near the edge of the piece used by the latter.

Several patterns occur in I'^skimo decorations, however, which, while
lot exactly resembling patterns from other parts of the world, appear
to have originated with them, and were suggested to them by original
piodnctsor mechanical contrivances, as the Siberian kantag or wooden
buckets, in uests of several sizes, and the peculiar tish traj) or run
placci' M narrow channels of water, and perhaps the guides to the pit-
fidl. the latter class of ornamentation may be placed the ''seal-

(>attern. These two different types of objects nniy have
• ■(1 the motive for the ligure of concentric circles and the rude
respectively; or the introduction from without tuv. *'>rritory of
Jihe E.^ivimo of these designs — the former, for instance, through the i.iHu
juce of the Russians, and the other, perhaps, from the vicinity of

toot'

Bigza

■?

I i

¥ I

804

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

Torres Straits and adjaceut territory — uiay have been seized upon as
suggesting the outlines or concepts perceived in the native products,
the i)oasible difference in artistic results being dependent uiion tlie
iiit'erence in material upon which the designs are i)ortrayed and to the
expertness or lack of skill of the Eskimo copyist or artist.

Upon a careful examination of all available materials bearing i)ic-
torial records or only simple decorative designs, several interesting
facts appear.

First. That the Eskimo east of Point Barrow, including those even
of Labrador and Greenland, exhibit but little artistic expression, this
being confined chiefly -to lines, dots, and other similar rudimentary
markings which are employed almost wholly for decorative purposes.
This does not refer to various kinds of carvings and outlined flat fig-
ures in bone or ivory, which are intended to be stitched to clothing, a
custom very much resembling a like practice which obtains in Finland.
Neither does this refer to the custom of stamping designs upon (jloth
or buckskin, a practice apparently learned from the several Algonkian
tribes with which some of the Hudson Bay and Labrador tribes of
Eskimo come in contact.

Second. That the Point Barrow natives are apparently but moder-
ately advanced in the art of recording tribal or individual events, cus-
toms, etc., and that most of their ivory utensils are not decorated; but
that where attempts at beautifying are apparent, only those designs
are adopted which suggest or require the least amount of manual exer
tion and artistic ability, so that straight incisions, creases, or grooves
are most numerous, while nucleated circles, and rarely also a few con
centric rings, are incised, the latter apparently by means of the common
carpenter's auger bit, properly tiled at the cutting edge so as to pro-
duce a scratch instead of an incision, the latter being too delicate and
tedious a process for success in removing the dense resisting particles
of ivory.

Third. That the engravings on ivory and bone from the northern
portion of the west coast of Alaska, embracing the region about Kotze
bue Sound and northward, and including Diomede Islands and the
opposing coast, as well as the area occupied by the Asiatic Eskimo, are
more deeply and crudely cut, as indicated by the lines being broader
and bolder than in the products from any other area.

Fourth. That the general results in graphic portrayals are more artis
tic among the natives of Bristol Bay and Norton Sound, and improve
in delicacy of engraving toward the southward even to and includiui;
the Aleutian Islands; that the portrayal of animal forms is accoui
plished with such fidelity as to permit of specific identification; that
the attempt at reproducing graphically common gesture signs becomes
more frequent, and various instances of the successful portrayal <>f
subjective ideas also occur.

In his lefereuce to the Agulmuts, whose location extends from nenr

m Heized upon as
native products,
endeut upon tlie
brayed and to the
rtist.

•ials bearing pic-
veral interesting

iiding those even
3 expression, this
ilar rudimentary
jrative purposes,
outlined flat fig-
ed to clothing, a
tains in Finland,
signs upon <jloth
iveral Algonkian
ibrador tribes of

intly but moder-
iual events, cus-
t decorated; but
[y those designs
of manual exer
ases, or grooves
y also a few con-
IS of the common
ge so as topro-
too delicate and
sisting particles

m the northern
on about Kotze
[slauds and the
atic Eskimo, are
s being broader

s are more artis
id, and improve'
o and incladiui;
brms is accoui
itification; that
B signs becomes
ul portrayal ui

bends from ncM-

(■.:! J If I

Report of U S. National Museum, 1895.- Hoffman.

Plate 31.

If '

lH-.'H

U-.^

Handles Bearing Primary Forms of Decorations.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 31

iK. 1.

i^. 1'.

',!;■■ •••

in- 1.

itf- •"'■

Mac Handle.

(Cut. Nci.n8;52, r.s.x.M.)

liA(i HaNIH-E. FISH-THAP Ol! SKAL-TiKlTII I'aITKKN.

. {(•!lt.^(l.24412, r.S. N.M. Norton Sound, ('ollcrtctl liy L. >I Turner.)
Ha(; Handfe. Pink-tuee PAnEii.v.

(Cat. No. 24417. I'.S. \. M. Xoiton .Siund. Collected by L. M. Tnnicr.)

1{a(; Handle. Vahiant oe Fig. 2.

(Cat. No. 38770. C.S. N. M. Nortli of Norton Sourd. ColliTted by Iv W. Nelaon.)
KllDKIN. I'AP.AI.I.EI. Rows ol' Sk AI,-TO() Til 1'aITEKN.

(Cut, No. [ 'j Norton Sound, ('(dlicti-d l>v K, \V. Ni-lson.)

■■

i \T

lit

i
if

! t

» M

"Wl

K I

'.f '

-f'^

ft I .. !

■ V- '

Si. i

Report of U'. S. National Museum, 1895.— Hoffman.

Plate 32.

iii?

Plate 32.

t-
Z
Uj

z
q:
O

I-
<

o
o

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 32.

I"i<?. 1. I\(>i!V Ear Pkxiunts; Madi-: oi r.i:i.i'iiA Tiivni.

(Ciit. Xo. ;!;ili'l, U.S. N. M. St. Micliacl.s. ( •cillc<'lcil liy K. W. Xelsim.)

Via. '2. lU'tivM-:; (iiiti.s' Haii! Ouna.mknt.

(Cat. .Vii. :17IM»T. r. S. .V. M. .\^ai.\ iiUclMiirnimil. Collcctcil by K. \V. Nelson.)
Fi.;;. .">. Eai; I'kndants; Hi I'UKskntim, Si:ai. IIkads.

(iJat. N(i. ii8i).")L', r. S. X. yi. Si)ii;j:uiiiii;iiiiMit. C'ullertcil by K. \V. Xel.foii.)
lijr. I. ('OMII.

(CM. Xo. 18174, U.S. X. M. Cmiic rrincc ol Wales. ( 'ollc<-tn<l by K. \V. XVlsoii.)
Fi^. .">. I'TKN'SIL OK I\01iV. TllLINtilT I N'DI ANS ( .').

Fig. t). IvoitY ()i;nami:xi Cauvkk i<> Hkikksknt Face o-v a Skai,.

l'';it. Xo. :iT7ii!. r .S. \. M. Kiiim;(iiiiiii;iiimiit. C'olb'iicd bv 10. \V. Nelson.)
Fig. 7. ('Ai!\ Ki) Handi.k, .'Snowixii Hcmax Facks with Tattooino.

(Cat. Xo, li7;U9. U, 6, X. M. Cliulitmut. CollfCted by E. \V. Xel.son.)

. r

1- I

( . '

h L

.' %

i|:

: ! • .-

. It

Rcpoitof U S National Museum. 1 895 — Hoffrran

Plate 33.

Wooden Tablet. Papuan Ornamentation.

GRAPHIC AKT OP THE ESKIMOS.

805

Cape Avinoff nearly to (.Jape Komanzott', Mr. Dall' remarks that thoy
bave been reported as remarkable for tlie beauty of their workman-
ship in ivory. "A kantag or wooden dish," he continues, "which was
I obtained at Nunivak by Captain Smith, was neatly carvt'd and inlaid
with lozenges of white stone resembling gypsum. They were lubrets
[of the same material. Their food was principally tish and seal, and
jthey appeared to be very destitute of iron and other articles intro-
|du<!ed by traders. Their ivory weapons were of great beauty, and
[some specimens of hollow carving would tax the resources of the most
[skillful civilized workman to equal."

In addition to the above named facts there occtir other peculiar pat-
Items, two of which are of interest; they are respectively the figures of
iconcentric circles, and a Papuan-like zigzag design, to which reference
[has already been made. The former is frequently a nucleate*! circle,
jft'equently regularly incised series of circles one beyond the other, and
[occasional instances iu which delicate radiating lines are attached to
[the outer ring.

The other pattern is like, jind yet unlike, that found iu Papuan
[decorations, in which is a rude wavy or meander zigzag, or even more
[sharply defined interdigital lines, or perhaps even triangular projec-
Itions so as to form true serrations, resulting in what is sometimes
[termed a tooth pattern.

This particular form of Papuan art is usually drawn between or
fwithin i)arallel lines, and extends transversely across the specimen
[decorated. The Eskimo resemblances, if they may be so termed, are
[represented on plate 31, figs. 2, 4, and 5.

Plate 31*, tig. 4, represents an Eskimo comb, the curves upon which
[form an interesting example for comparison with the Papuan designs
(upon a tablet of wood, referred to and illustrated by Mr. Stolpe, of
iStockholm.' Plate 33.

Similar parallel lines carrying between them the same style of a
[rude zigzag, but in reliel", because the alternate triangular spaces have
been removed by cutting, occur upon various other specimens repre-
sented in various plates and illustrations.

The short transverse bars in this type of pattern represent in
7,some instances, according to an Alaskan informant and pictograi)her,
^Yladimir Naomolf, conventionalized fish traps, su<;h as are placed in
larrow channels of water for catching the migrating salmon. A sym-
letrical trap of such construction is shown on the faces of a pipe in
)late GO. Tlie transverse lines or bars are complete in this illustra-
ion, however, yet the decorative or evolved figure is easily traceable

the original. A simpler form of the same pattern appears in the
Kecoration on fig. 4 in phite 31, where the alternate short lines project
inward toward the opposing space between t)\e short lines.

' "Alaska aud its Kesources," Boston, 1870, p. 406.

* Stolpe, irtvekliiifrsforeteelser i natinfolkeus oi-n.imentik. Ymer, Stockholm, 1890,
[4^, pp. 193-225; 1891, pp. 197-229, iigs.

III

806

REPORT OF NATIONAL MU8EUM, 1895.

The native drawings of the Ho-called ttn\i trap or seal tooth pattern
alHO reneinble the approaches to the jfaiiio trap or incIoHuro, both
these cotitrivances being represented by horizontal or oblique or per-
ha[>H even only parallel lines, leading to a trap or indosure, along
which lines are short etchings or bars to denote the posts or divisions
to sustain the brush of the game drive or the wickerwork ])artitions of
the fish trap. These short lateral lines simulate the <lrawings made to
denote the separations or spaces between teeth like those of the seal,
of which examples are given in fig. 00, and, as was suggested by a
native Eskimo, the open mouth of the hunting seal was like the open
fish trap and game drive, ready to take in such prey as canu) within
reach. The conception of the design nuiy be found in the trap, as
suggested by Naomotf, or in the "seal's mouth," as suggested by
Komiksr^ner, a Kaviagmut Eskimo from Port Clarence, whose j)or
trait is shown in plate 2.

These drawings in ivory are usually jdaced between horizontal or
parallel lines, interesting because they resemble the chief character-
istics of Celtic art, of which there is no relationship directly except
as showing the like workings of man's mind under like conditions.
"The Japanese, for instance," says a writer in Archa-ologia Cambrensis,'
"ignore the margin altogether and make their decoration entirely
independent of it, but in Celtic art the ])atterns are all designed to
suit the shape of the margin." Tliis is true of much of the Alaskan art.

The early contact by the Alaskans with art products from the South
Pacific is believed to be pretty generally recognized; and an instauiio
of the discovery among the natives of Bristol li.ay of the cocoanut
suggested an admirable material for engraving which was only sur
passed in beauty and texture by walrus ivory. Various curios have
also been carried north by sailors, the carvings upon which have sug-
gested, no doubt, possibilities in engraving of which the Eskimo had
previously had no conception. Illustrated newspapers are seized witli
avidity, and reproductions of various cuts attempted, in some known
instances the features of faces being fairly truthful likenesses.

Much of the art of the Eskimo has been influenced, too, by the intro
duction of articles of Kussian manufacture, of which more is remarked
elsewhere. Two fairly good examples of native workmanship of this
are given on plate 34, figs. 1 and 2, and representing wooden boxes
with native ornamentation and Kussian symbols of the cross and otlici
motifs.

The suggestion for engraving concentric circles being accounted for
as to origin and signification by Mr. L. M. Turner, and described farthti'
on, may also have been introduced through the medium of sailors and
others from the Gulf of Papua, where, according to Mr. Haddon, they
are conventionalized eyes in the ornamental faces carved on woodon
belts.

* ■■hi

» J anuary, 1893. Fifth ser. , pp . 20, 21 .

1 tooth ]>attern

iiicloHure, both

obliquo or per-

iiuiloHiiro, along

)sta or (livisioiiH

)rk i»artitiona of

awiiigH iiisulo to

1080 of the weal,

sjiggesti'd by a

an like the open

as eauie within

in the trap, as

s Huggeated by

nee, whoac \wt

sn horizontal or

chief character-

(lire(;tly except

like conditions.

giaCanibrensis,'

oration entirely

all designed to

the Alaskan art.

H from the South

and an instance

of the cocoanut

;h was only siir

ious curios have

which have sug-

the Eskimo had

8 are seized with

, in some known

Lenesses.

too, by the intro

more is remarked

imanship of this

ig wooden boxes

e cross and other

ing accounted f<'i
described farther
am of sailors and
llr. Haddon, thoy
arved on wooden

i: .' ^

I;,
i , ■'

I li;

EXPLANATION OF tn. A T E 11 4 .

I'ij;. 1. Wooi.KX ]5ox.

(I .11. Nil. Jll.".;. r. S. \. >! fai'i- NoMir. C'lllcciiMl liy I-'.. V\'. Xcl.-;iiii.l
F'X'j: -. \\'()(ii>i;n Hun.

(I .•II. Nil. ;i:;ii77, r. S. N. .M. ('A)ti- Nmiiic. ('(I'liTlcd by Iv H', X.'lsdli.)

I'iu. :i. I'.ox II. i: I'l^iiiNf, '1' \ii\i.!:.

(I'jl, No. -Jl-lj::. r. S. > . M. Ni.n.iii SouikI. i oI'mcIciI 1)\ 1.. M. '1 iniic"-.>

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Report nf US Natmni,! Museum. I B95. Hoffman.

Plate 34.

!IM"'.l

"!,"■

■

WooDCN Dux: , ANij Ca!)F. fOT Fiehin;-, Tacklc.

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-il'lrl!

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GKArHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

807

In Alaska, liowever, concentric circles and nucleated rings have been
utilized to explain concepts other than the similar patterns which occur
elsewlieic in the world, referrinjjf to other widely distinct origins and
concepts. (Conj[tare with \ ari.ants on plate 17.)

The concentric rings, being so generally widesi)read, survive in the
Kongo region and in Tangier, where the design may owe its origin to
the introduction of Mohanunedanism and the Byzantine style of orini-
mcutiition; ujmn lioman lamps in the ruined church of St. Louis, in
Carthage; and in numerous localities throughout northern I'^urope as
rock sculptnrings, and in bron/e and other jewelry and ornaments.
America has nuvny i>etroglyphs in which this design is found, the
greatest number being upon the basalt rocks in the arid desert south
of Uenton, Owens Valley, California.

By these references to the occurrence in widely separated localities
of like designs, I do not for a single moment <lesire to convey the
impression that the belief is entertained that this is the result of
migration through the ordinary trade, or culture channels, as Mr.
Haddou designates them, but lather of independent development,
being evolved from very diverse t)riginals and concepts. It is certain,
nevertiu'less, that in some instances religious symbols are carried
among peoples to whom they are artistically or technically foreign, and
to whom the signitication would be meaningless but for the explanation
accompanying them.

In Alaska several difterent versions Jire given to account for the
origin of the nucleated circles, plain concentric rings, and rings with
dentations. Reference to like forms in other regions is made elsewhere.
iMr. Iladdon' remarks with reference to such ligures that "there is a
great teiulency for spirals to degenerate into concentric circles; exam-
ples could be given from New (Juinea, America, luirope, and elsewhere.
In fact, one usually linds the two ligures associated together, and the
Iseciuence is one of decadence, never the evolution of spirals froui cir-
[cles. The intermediate stage has been aptly tern)ed a 'bastard spiial'
jby Do(!tor ^Nlontelius — 'that is to say, concentric circles to which the
[recurved Junction lines give, to a casual glance, the api)earance of true
spirals.'"

Interesting instances in snj)portt»f Mr. Haddon's statement are found
in the (Icvelopiiicnt of decorative designs among \arious tribes of
Jiidians, in which the textile designs were ultiunitely imitated in a
free hand style, thus gradually converting the angular into curved
figures, as in the meander patterns so common in the basketry and
pottery designs of the several jtueblo tribes.

In northern lOurope and elsewhere in the Old World coils of withes,
cords, and other textile strands were imitated in metal, as nuiy be seen
in luany o\' tlic prehistoric relics of Scandinavia and France.

Associated with these patterns are series of figures consisting of

•'Evohitioii in Art," i». !t;i.

!■

■H

' a

808

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

concentric rings, Avhicli no doubt owe tlieir origin to tlie vegetal
prototype.

Thus far no spirals liave been observed in tlie nativ<^ art designs of
tbe Eskimo as illustrated in the National Museum, and one reason for
the absence of spirals may be attributed to the diiliculty of engrav
ing the ivory satisfactorily, or i)erliai)s to the absence of particular life
forms which might under other circunjstaiices suggest siu'h motifs.
The general shape of the spaces upon drill bows, being long and
narrow, would otherwise naturally suggest either a meander or a
continuous series of squids as a nu)st appropriate and con\eiiient
pattern. Instead of these, however, the ornamental "lilling-in"
consists of straight lines of various lengths and at various angles,
together with animal or bird forms in various stages of abbreviation
through conventionalization.

l>KfX)KATION CONSISTING CHIKKLY Ol' LINKS, 1>(»TS, AM> ZI(i/,A(iS.

The older forms of ornamentation, as already indicate*!, seem to
consist of straight lines, dots, and <-8haped incisions, while the appai
ently later ones are the circles, made by met.il instruments possibly di
native workmanship, and the rude zigzag or meander. The applicn
tiou of these several types of designs to the ornamentation of varioii>
jirti<'lesof use is represented in the next few i)Iiges. Soin«^ interesting
examples of figure carving, bearing engravings of various tyi)es, arc-
also reproduced.

While the rude zigzag pattern is frequently alluded to as the "tisli
trap" pattern — the name being deemed appropriate because the type
originated in that contrivance, according to Naomoff — the designation
"seal tooth" pattern might be equally appropriate, as the arrangement
of the teeth and spaces between them may have suggested the i)atterii
among tribes in other parts of the Eskimo territory.

Plate li~f, tig. <S, shows a woman's skin scraper, from Cape Darby,
The specimen appears to be made of fossil ivory and is carved in imi-
tation of a whale's tail, and rounded so as to fit the palm of the hand.
The front end has a deep incision, in which was placed at one time a
Hint scraper, in imitation of other examples in the collection of tlu!
National Museum. The specimen bears beneath a depression, show-
ing it to have been used for holding the top of a drill. The ornamen-
tation on both sides and transversely at the rear portion consists of a
single line to which are attached irregular short radiating or transverse
lines in imitation of the rudest type of the "fish trap" pattern. This
ornamentation is in accordance with the typical ornamentation of tlic
ICskimo, such as comes from the shell heaps of the Aleutian Islands,
across to the east coast of Greenland, and antedating very likely tlie
historic period.

Ill i)late .'51, fig. a, is shown an ivory bodkin, here reproduced as of
interest in presenting ujton the one side five parallel lines of une<pi;il

to the vegetal

(; art designs of
(I one reason for
Milty of engrav
)1" partit'nlar life
est .such motifs,
being h>ng and
I, meander or a
and c(»nvenient
ial "lilling-in"
various angles,
of abbr«!viatioM

I /KiZAfiS.

ieatetl, seem to
while the appar
leuts iK)ssibly v\'
'. The applicii
ation of ^•ariolI^
5ome interestinj;
irious tyi)es, arc

. to as the "tish
eeause the type
-the designation
the arrangement
sted the iiatteru

im Cape Darby,
s carved in in»i-
dm of the hand,
d at one time a
jollection of the
epression, show-
, The ornameii-
ion <'onsists of a
ng or transverse
' pattern. This
oeiitation of the
leutian Islands,
;• very likely the

eproduced as of
lines of une«iu;il

' *.

' 'E.'

If !

if- ' ■

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 35.

7 S !l

Fig. 1. TllI.MllLK (il'AHK.

(Ciit. N<).4:!-ir)!), r.S. X. M. Sl.MicliiMls. C.ll,.,!,.,! l,v Iv \V. N.Uo.i.)
Fiji. 1'. 'riliMiu.i; Iloi.i.Ki!.

(Ciit.N(..'.;!l7:iI,r.S. N.M. \,,rt,ML SiMin.l. (■.,ll,.,t.il ny L. M. ■I'uriM-r.)
Tig. :?. 'riUMiii.K lI(tM)i;i!,

(<;at.N.,. rji»:!14, I'.S, N. A[. Si, M i,l„icls. (;,.ll,.ct,Ml l,y K. W. Ni-U,,,,.)
Fij;. \. SKINK TllIMIil.K llol.DKI!.

((';it. ;i(i-l,V.', r. S. \, M. Kiislniniik. I '(illciti'dlix K. \V. N. Isoii.)

Fig. Ti. Moiniu'iKCK.

(Cat. N<).(>:!(i(i7, r.S. X.M. Didiii.d.. I>h„iil.s. Cnlk.ctr.lliy K. \V. N-,.|s..ii.)
Fig. I). TllIMIW.l'. (JlAIM).

(('iit.N(..4:iHtil, r'.S. X.M. liialililiM. (;„ll,.,.t,.,| l,y K. W. N,.|s„ii i
Fig. 7. iMoiTiii'iKCE.

(Cal. N,i. il'iliOd. r.S. X.M. Diiiiiirilc I.«l:,ri(l«. ( ullc't,.,! I,v K, \V. .Nelson.)

I'ig. S. IIandi.i: ok SriiAi-KK.

(Cilt.Xd. 4418(1. r.S. N.M. ( ii|„. I):ill>y. (■(iII.mI, ,1 l,y !■:. W. Xrlson.)

Fig. it. 'I'ouAc Co 1{<)\,

(Cat. N...447ti(), r. S. N.M. Slcd^,. l^);,,,,!. (nllrclcl l,y K. W Nrl.s,,,,.)

R..|)(.'l i.f U 5 N.i:'nfi,ii MubiHim, inys.-- Hoffman.

Plate 35.

Nclsiiii.)

Nelson.)

i*.

■^ 'tr

DEconATtiD Utensils Used by Women.

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ORAPHIC AHT OF THE ESKIMOS.

809

leiifftli, iM'tweon wliicli are tlio sliorr lattM-al lines imd /ijr/ap, sliowiii|j
[tlio inotlKMl of enj,Mavin{; and tho artist ir evolution of the pattern.

I'lat«' .'i«», li^s. 1-1, reiaesrnt kanta}; handles. Tlie specimen shown
in iiii. I is from Sledge Island, and is ornamented by two i»arallel lon},'i-
tndinal lines between wliii^li are cross lines by threes at intervals of
about an inch. In i\ii. -' the sets of cross lines are by twos, but on the
inner si<le, facing (nie another, are sln)rt lines, as in the ornamental
pattern before referred to as the lish trap or seal tooth, {•iving rise
ultimately to the /ig/ag. In tig. •'{ is represented a handle, upon the
upper side <»f which tiie ornamentiition consists of ten whales in relief,
while upon the under side is a very neatly engraved mamnnil of the
same species, tlnnigh extending horizontally instead of transversely.

In tig. 1 tin' npi»er side represents two horizontal lines with the short
lines exteniling inward between their opposing feUows, a sort of inter-
digitatlon, tin- interior si>aces n'jnesenting a rude zigzag with the outer
angles being removed instead of being shai>e<l to a point, as in the true

aig/ag.

f In the next illustration of a bag handle, plate .'il.tig. 1, are three
parallel lines extending Irom end to end. From the outer lines inward
are short lines at intervals of perhnps i of an inch, while extending to
either side from the central line are similar short lines extending <mt-
ward so as to project between the short lines from without — a sort of
Interdigitation, resulting in a double row of the "fish trap" pattern or
rude zi.rzag presented in so many of the illustrations.

Fig. L' of the same plate also bears a series of like ornamentation, the
Oonce])t ])erhaps also being found in the fish trap.

riate 37, tig. 3, rei)resents a bow. one end of which terminates in an
animal's head, while about the neck, the middle, and the rear end are
parallel lines, irom the inner side of which and ai)proa(!hing the opjH)-
gite side are small triangular jxtints so arranged alternately from one
tide to the other as to leave an intervening si)ace in the form of zigzag.
This design is very common on work from several particular localities.
It is used as an onunnent in filling out blank spaces, as in the illustra-
tion (tig. <i on the same plate. .'57), where it serves to decorate seals'
•kins, seventeen of them being i)laccd in a row. This may be oom])ared

fith like illustrations in connection with conventionalizing.
?| Plate ;n, tig. 1, represents a bag handle, hxiality unknown, upon
irhich is shown a pattern consisting primarily of a (central incision
^tending from end to end, from which radiate toward either side sev-
eral series of diagonal lines, which ai)pear to be similar in type to that
phown in ])late .'JS, fig 1, and on plate 39, tig. 2.
On plate 34, lig. 1, is a small wooden box obtained at Cape Nome.
has a sliding lid, while the two lower projections, resembling feet,
re in reality the outlines of bears' heads. As will be noted, there are
jveral outlines of flintlock guns shown upon the lid, besides other
laracter.s, while along the margin arc short diagonal lines arranged

m
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

1.0

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2.0

1.25

1.8

1.6

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. MS80

(716) 872-4503

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810

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

in the form of zigzags. A few Russian letters are incised u^ion the
sides, indicating the natives' knowledge of, or acquaintance with, char-
acters of that hmguage.

In plate 34, flg. 2, is represented a box of almost the same form and
from the same locality, the bottom being represented in the illustra-
tion, and upon it a variety of ornamentation very much in imitation of
the patterns before mentioned and found on many of the specimens.
Upon closer investigation, however, it will be observed that the mar
ginal lines bear between them small arrowheads or < -shaped figures,
while in the remaining spaces the ornamentation consists of parallel
lines, the intervening spaces being ornamented by short diagonal lines.
The two lozenges in the middle bear upon the center a cross, evidently
suggested by Russian ecclesiastical pictures or literature.

Plate 37, fig. 1, is a plain white ivory bow drill from Point Hope.
The ornamentation is visible in the illustration and consists simply of
the wavy exterior produced by filing a series of indentations along the
edge of the triangular bow.

Plate 37, fig. 5, also from Point Barrow, shows two parallel lines
extending from almost one end to the other, between which are diag-
onal lines at short intervals. The bottom edge of the bow is indented
at intervals of a little over an inch, leaving projections upon whieli
small triangular figures extend from the bottom, presenting an oriiu
mental eflfect. The coloring matter apparently consists of red ocher.

Plate 38, figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, represent bag handles from Norton Sound.
St. Michaels, the Yucon River, and Point Hope, respectively.

In plate 39, fig. 1, the ornamentation upon the upper side consists of n
median horizontal line or crease terminating at one end with three per
forations, which number occurs also at the other end of the rod. At
right angles to this median line, at either end, are eight nucleated rings.
At the center of the specimen are a like number, in the middle of which
group is inserted a large blue glass bead. Upon the upper side, instead
of a median line, the surface is filled with a continuous row of nucleated
circles. Upon examination, however, it is observed that the circles
consist of two or three different sizes, showing that instruments of
that number of sizes were used. The rings indicate, furthermore, tliat
the tool was of hard metal, but no doubt fashioned by the artist, n
narrow piece of steel having a crotch filed into the end so as to leavi
two sharp points.

Plate 39, fig. 3, represents a very neat bag handle or bow drill nearl.v
18 inches in length. The top is fluted longitudinally by means of tliiei
deep creases, while in the outer sides are a series of cavities or seal
lops, also ornamented along the margin by incisions. This specimen is
interesting because of the great number of nucleated circles scatteied
along the under side. Each of these circles seems to have been made
with the same instrument, which was apparently a carpenter's bit.
one-fourth of an inch in diameter.

1895.

re incised upon the
aintance with, chur-

t the same form and
nted in the illustia-
niuch in imitation of
ly of the specimens,
erved that the mar
)r < -shaped figures,
consists of parallel
short diagonal lines,
er a cross, evidently
rature.

1 from Point Hope,
id consists simply of
lentations along the

s two parallel lines
een which are diag-
the bow is indented
ections upon whicli
presenting an orna
sists of red ocher.
from Norton Sound,
spectively.
aer side consists of a
end with three per
endof the rod. At
ght nucleated rings,
the middle of whicli
) upper side, instead
)us row of nucleated
'^ed that the circles
hat instruments of
;e, furthermore, that
led by the artist, a
d end so as to leavi

I or bow drill nearly
y by means of thrci
I of cavities or sral
I. This specimen i>
5ed circles scattered
to have been made
r a carpenter's bit.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 37.

1
2

4
«
6

Via.

ViiT.

•>

ri«.

rig.

Fig.

!'i«.

«>

IlHii.i. Mow.

(Cut. N.(i:i8(i4, r.S. N. M. I'ciiiil Ilupr Collcctcil li.\ K. \V. Nilsini.
I>U1I.L l?<)W.

(Cat. N(i.45:i4(i, V. S. N. M. Ciiiif NniiH'. Ciillf.tcd liy K. W. Nelsi.ii.)
Diui.i. How.

(Cat. No. :t:il'.il, r. S. X. M. Norton .Snuiul. Cnllcitcl liy K. W. X(l.-«)ii.)

DiMi.i. r.ow.

(Cat. .NO. HO.iiO, C. S. \. M. I'oiiit l!arri»w. dilliMtid l>y Lieut. I'. II. Kay. I". S. A.)
Dliil.i. Mow.

(Cat. No. .".(!51S. C. S. N. M. Point Harrow. Colk-cted l)y Lieut. I*. II. Kay, U. S. A.)

Ditii.L Itow. 'l'lli^4 K])('ciiiicii is 2IHi>cli*^H ioii;!-

(Cut. No. 24540, I'. S. N. M. .St. MicliaeU. ColliMttil liy L. M. Turner.)

[*■'

Report of U S National Museum, 1895 -Hoffman

Plate 37.

)i>.)

Kav. r.S. A.)

Uiiv. U.S. A.)

I
00

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EXPLANATION OF PLATE 38.

1 2 :! I

Fi;,^ I. K.\M,\(i Handi.k.

d'af. No. 2411.">. V. S. X. M. Nnrtim Somid. Colli'dcil liy I.. M. Turner )

I'i;;. 'J. KANTAti IIandik.

(Cut. No. ■-• 14J.'>. r.S. N.M. SI. .Michaels. CoUeited by L. M. I'lirner.)

Fiu. :i. K'ANTAti IIanpi.k.

(r.it.Xd. oJ^.');;'.!, V. S. N. M. VuUim Kiver.)
Fi<r. I. Kantai; IIandi.!;.

((;at. Nil. iLiSnll. l".S. N. M. I'oilit llopo. CollecleiMiy K. W. NeUoii.)

.' i '■

i ' ■

■

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Rtportof U S National Museum I895^Moffnnan,

Plate 38.

Ornamented Kantaq Handles.

;( ! |!i'!lf.U"

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EXPLANATION OF PLATE 39.

I! I

Fi-. 1. Maii IIandi.i:.

(Cat. Xo. Sll'.ll, r. S. N. M. INiiiit liaiTow. (;ollt>rl(>(l I»y Mint. P. IT. Ray, U. S. .\.)

Fig. -'. I{A<i IIandi.k.

((.'at. No. •J4.'>41t, r. .S. N. M. Norton Soiiml. CoUetted l>y I,. M. Tuiiu-t)

V\ii. :t. \\m, Hanpi.k..

(Cat. No. S!i4'.';i. r..S. N. M. I'oint Harrow. Collecteil by Upiit. P. 11. Kay, I'.S. A.,
Fig. \. UA(i Hamh.k.

(Cat. Nil. 8!l.'12. r. S. N. M. I'oint Harrow, (.'ullictea l>y Lieut. P. H. Kay, W S. A.)

1^ i

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1 :

Rvport of U. S, National Muivuin, 1895.— Hnffman.

Plate 39.

Bag Handles.

'[ m

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Report of U, S. N«tion«l Museum, 1895.— Hoffmin.

i 1

1 8

1 2 8 4 6 6

t u

• _jr y: — :xi

^^^nf^T-^r'^/^ ]^

4 6 6 V 8

'^-^^ ^ ^ _^ htU£

2 14 5 7 8

Records f^

Plate ^0.

d-4^ (Ui ^ tt^ 4WJW nj^ tffrl ,^ifrr

^ -^^ -w^

V 8 9 W

10 11 IS

kEnCiiSaiilBljBZBia^

IS U 14

16 17 18

^ ^^LMm"^>,,jir-^Ji^tf,>^kiit<-i^^m$^

5 « 7

-X X.

:r X.

Records ftWAQ Handles.

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GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

811

Plate 39, Hg. 4, represents a bag handle rajirked with a single median

line from which the specimen slopes toward either si<le of the onter

dge, and it is also fashioned along the outer margin like the preceding

Le, though tlu^ <'urves or scallops are longer. Between each curve is

small V-shaped niche, while at the middle this is replaced by a short

callop or curve.

The specimen rei)re8ented in plate 39, fig. 2, is decorated upon the

per side by a median horizontal line, deeply engraved, to which are
ttached, by pairs, short diagonal lines exactly resembling the herring-
one pattern, each pair of these patterns being about one-half an inch
bora the sm!ceeding pair. Upon th' lower or concave side is a similar
Median line, to one side of which are placed the figures of thirty-seven
Bese,or skuas, swimnung toward the right. The figures are as nearly

ike as can be made by the average native artist, and are equidistant

)m one another.
[The rej;ularity of the arrangement of these bird figures suggests that

lamentation was aimed at as well as a historic record.

.^-.-^

-^^3!

Fiji. ;i4.
NATIVES AKMKI) WITH OrNS.

^ig. ;U represents but two of the five panels or si)aces dec«)rated,

^th (»f which bear figures referring to canoes in which the men al the

ir are armed with oars, while those at the bow have guns r.iised as if

mt to shoot. The partitions consist of transverse ornamental lines,

iniprovenient over the pairs or sets of vertical plain incisions shown

the paneled record in plate 3(5, fig. i'.

'he seriated inner edges of the dividing lines, facing one another,
semble the conventional figures used to denote fish weirs, ami appear

the present instance to have been used as ornaments. As before
ited. the same pattern has been suggested, apparently, by the arrange-
jnt of tlie teeth of the seal, illustrations of which are of frecpient
jurrence in the t'ollectious of the National Museum.
In fig. 35 is the rude outline of an ivory harpoon head, on w^hich the
fctli of the seal are deeply incised, while in fig. 36 the pattern
proaches more nearly the rude meander, between which and the true
rzag as made by the Eskimo there are constant gradations and
Miding of form.

'he native in plate 40, bottom line, is following a herd of walrus. He

pacblling with an ordinary one-bladed pjiddle, in front of which is
le harpoon slightly elevated above the deck, and behind him is the

812

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Jj :

Fig. 35.
SEAL IIRAO, HIIOWINO TEETH.

inflated seal-Hkin float, the rear end being bifurcated, showing the
two flippers. Four cross-like characters denote flying birds.

The regularity and sameness of the figures seem to denote an attempt
at ornamentation as well as a hunting record.

Plate 14, figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, show specimens made of reindeer antler,
and are from Norton Sound. The ornamentation is rude, and in all
but one case consists of the representation of animals. In fig. 4 tin
design is of the ''fish trap" pattern, with a median line and short
alternate radiating incisions, the spaces being occupied by crosses.
probably the simplest and rudest form of ornamentation excepting tlio

simple straight line. At one end
appears to be an indication of eyes
and nostrils, but there is not suf
flcientmarkingtoindicate whether
this was intended for otter or seal,
The accompanying illustration,
fig. 37, represents a tool the use of
which is not known. "It has a point like a graver," says Mr. Murdoeli.
"and is made of reindeer antler, ornamented with a pattern of incisei!
lines and bands, colored with red ocher, and was perhaps a marline
spike for working with sinew cord."'

Plate 41, tig. 5, shows a small ivory wedge, used in splitting sniali-
pieces of wood. The specimen bears upon one side a nucleated cirtlt
with two lateral radiating lines, different from the conventional tlowd
symbol, though resembling to some extent the circles and lines shovn
on [)late lil), fig. 5. Along the upper edge are three parallel linis.
From the outer ones, extending inward, are shown very short diagoiia
lines, being a rude imitation of some of the "fish trap" ])atterns.

A general view of the specimen, tiiking note of the short curve over
the (drcle to denote an eyebrow, would suggest
the head of a bird, the parallel lines along the
lower left side very much resembling the mouth.
Plate 41, fig. 2, is a small ivory creaser used in
decorating moccasMis. Upon the sides are a
series of parallel lines leaving three spaces, the
central one cotisisting alternately of black and white squares, wliilt
the lateral spaces bear continuous rude meander or /ig/ag patteiii>
The latter are more neatly indicated by deeper incisions than usuallv
found in ivory specimens.

Plate 41, fig. 3, represents a bone guard, such as is placed over Hit
bow of a kaiak to protect it against floating ice. The chief ornameiita
tion consists of three parallel lines extending along either side, within
which is the rude meander pattern, while from the outer sides exteiui*
a sort of herring-bone pattern.

Plate 41, fig. 4, shows an ornament, broken at one end, which appeiii!

AAAA^

Fig. 36.

ARIIANOKMENTOF INCISIUNSK
DENOTE TEETH oF SEAL.

'li

'Niuth Anunal Keporfc of tho Bureau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 1892, p. 294, flj? •2^*-

895.

3ute(l, showing the

ug birds.

[) denote an attempt

B of reindeer anthr,
is rudo, and in all
mals. In fig. 4 tlif
ian line and short
•cnpied by crosses.
ation excepting tlio
t line. At one end
m indication of eyes
ant there is not snf
J to indicate whetiii'i
ded for otter or soal.
anying illustration,
nts a tool the nsc of
' says Mr. Mnrdodi.
a i)attern of incisei!
perhaps a marline

I in splitting sniali-
B a nucleateil ciiclt
conventional tlowd
les and lines shown
hree parallel lines,
very short diagomi
rap" i)atterns.
he short curve over

Fig. 36.

RANOKMENTOF INCISIUNSIC
DENOTE TEETH (iP SEAL.

i^hite squares, v Iiilf
or /ig/ag pattt ins'
iisions tlian u snail}

8 is placed over Hit

lie chief oruanioiita

g either side, witliii

outer sides exteiidf

end, which appears

88, 1892, p. 294, flg 288. ;

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 41.

I !

Fi;

V\<
Ki.
Fi.
Fi,.

Fii

1. \N 1 DliK I'Olt Sl'I.HTIN(i WALKCS HiDK.

I Tat. Xii. 1:17:111. U.S. N, M. Niiiiiviik Island, (•.illpcfcd by K. W. N(:,-<nii.)

1.'. C'i!i;.\si:k.

(Cat. No. I."il4ii, r. S. N. M. .Slc(lf,'i)lHliiii<l.)
:>. KoMC (ilAIM) 1(11! lillW (IK HoAl'.

iCat. No. ;);!:.'l!l. r.S. N. .M. collected by E. \V. Ni-Lsoh.)
1. < >I!.\A.MKN r.

(Cat Ki). :i74::i, r.s. n.m.)
r>. Ivoiiv Wki)i;i. ]()I! Spi.rrriNo Wood.

(Cat. N(i. lS:.'S:i, I.S. \, .M. Nmiivak Island. ColU'ctcd by K. AV. NcInoii.)
ti. lioDKIN.

(('at. Nii.:i77.".LM'.S. N. M. Clu'littnut. ('(lUci'lcd by K. \V. NelMin.;

sclsiin.)

Nflttoii.)

11.)

.'i Report uf U S NatHinal Musoum. 1895. - Hoffmnn.

■i

Plate 41,

'! :l

Ornamented Utensils.

1,1,

ir^

^—

•1 ■ i
t '

1 ;

': •,'

i|S:

f :

R«p<irt »f U S NatKinal Mutnum, IStfi.- Hoffman

Plate 42.

' I

! -1 ^'

•1
■J ■

1 ■

1 ;:i

1 1

■'[ . ■

1 ■'

If 1

Ornamented Utensils.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 42.

I'i^, 1. I'm: Pi:\MiANr.

(1,1!. No. li'il'.i'j, r. S. N. M. NiiiiiMik I>l:iiii|. CiilliMMfil li.v i;. \S '. Nilxiii.)

lit;. L'. Ttiv I'l-ll.

iCiii. N(p.4:i."ii:t, r.s. N. M. (\\]iv \',iii('ii iMi ('(illiTiiil ii\ i;. w. NrUmi.)
I 1-. ;;. II \ii; niiNAMi.M'.

ii':ii. Nil. ;i;i)n:i, r.s N. M . KuslnmnU. < 'ullcTti'il Uv Iv W. NiUmi )

I'i;. I. .■^I'l \i; til'.\HI> I'OI! IIOAT.

H 'ill. Nil. ;i77."iO, r. .S. N. M. ClmlllMiiil. ( oM. iiid li\ [■:. W Nrl.smi.t
I i;,'. ."i. ll(Pl-r IImoK, I'OI! II.VNiilNi; 11' IlKN.SII.r..

-I'll. Nil. 7;iii:!4, r.s. N. M. Cnlli rlrd hy (" I„ MrKa.v.i
I'iu. (i. Sli;,\|; (ilAlM) I'Hl! UiiA I.

ii'al. Nii.:i7|i'il. r. S. X. M. AimLioirininil. ('nlltclcil liy !■;. W. Ni'Ihuii.)
li;;. 7. .\iii:u\v M'ljAKni i'i:nki{.

(I'lit. No. rjT.-*!*:!. r. s. \. M. Kuwiik m- l'ulu;itii lliviT. .MiLska. ( 'iillci.|c(l liy l.in.t.
G. M.Stuiuv. U.S. N.)

:i '

i."

i '■
,!■ i

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

813

to liave served as a hsiiidle, as a small perforation in the middle seems
to have been made for the purpose of inserting a cord. The upper
side or half of this ornament is decorated with zigzag cross lines, while
tlie lower has the herring-bone pattern, like the ornaments upon one
side of the running figure in the preceding illustration, plale 41, fig. 3.
I Mate 41, fig. 6, represents a bodkiu, and is elsewhere referred to with
respect to ornamentation.

DECORATION t'OXSISTINO CHIEFLY OF CHICLES.

The several objects represented on i>late42 are variously ornamented
in simple patterns. Fig. 1 is an ivory car pendant, which is creased
spirally from end to end by one continuous line. I'ig. - rei)resents a toy
tish, upon which is incised the figure of a wolf, with another linear
character somewhat resembling a crude representation of the same
species.

Tlie hair ornament shown in fig. 3 on the same plate is «lecorated
along the upper half by two pairs of transverse parallel lines, between

<MT*55:^.L ^^

^gggjii^i^

Fig. 37.

TOOTH oy ANTLKH. I'OINT llAllltf)W.

wliicli arc cross lines to resemble the common i>ortraiture of a sus-
pciidt'd seine net, as shown on plate o!), also in fig. 71) on jtage .s<>.5.

Tlie sjtear guard shown in plate 42, fig. 4, bears a simple vertical line
t'roiii which diverge, downward and on either side, three lines, between
which arc small punctures. This enlarged tigurc suggests a like origin
;is the ornamented line in the middle of fig. (i, the latter having for its
conception, no doubt, the plant symbol menti()nc<l and figure«l clse-
wlieie, particularly in connection with plate 77, and in fig. 70, i)age .SIJ.'J.
Compare also with fig. 11, on plate 77, and other types of circles repre
sciitcd thereon, which occur uimn various types of Eskimo utensils and
oMianieiits.

I Mate 42, fig. ;">, is a common hook made for use in suspending various
lionsehold articles.

In addition to the lateral diverging lines, the central one is absent,
'•lit in its stead a continuation of perforations from which radiate three
incisions, made by means of a narrow saw or a sharp edged file. These
incisions serve instead of the narrow or shallow cn'ases noted on figs. 4
and ii. Punctured spots are also added to serve as additional orua-
iiieiit.s.

* ';

814

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

! IM

The lower figure on plate 42, lijj. 7, is an arrow straightciier, made of
ivory. The lower loiigitudiual line has similar, though more frequently
recurriug, lateral lines than on fig. (5, while the side bears a continuous
row of nucleated circles, the central cup like perforations being unusu
ally large in comparison to the rings surrounding them, clearly indicat
ing that a one-eighth-inch auger bit was used in their production, as
a smaller instrument made s])ecially for incising rings (as the V-shaped
cuts in the end of a piece of metal) would naturally have the two points
efpially pointed. (Compare plate 77.)

The reverse of the side bearing the median line bears a similar inci |
sion from end to end, but the lateral, oblique, radiating lines are esicli
between one eighth and one half inch in length, somewhat between tlic
two sizes noted on i)late 8. This is evidently without significance other
than that of ornamentation.

In a private communication of recent date Mr. L. M. Turner informs
me, with reference to the circle, that "this ornament is much more com-
mon south of Bering Strait, where it is a conventionalized representa
tion of a flower.'' Mr. Murdoch ' writes :

Soino <if the oMer iiiipleinents in our collection, ornumeuted with this iignre, niiiv
have been obtained by trade from the sonthern natives, Imt the Point Harrow p«'0]ile
certainly know how to make it, as there are a number of newly made articles in tli;
collection thus ornamented. Unfortunatolj', wo saw none of these objects in the pidc
ess of manufacture, as they were made by the natives during odd niouuiuts of leisiiic
and at the time I did not realize tlie importance of finding out the process. No toil
by which tliose figures could be made so accurately was ever olTered i'or sale.

Neither Mr. Turner nor Mr. Dall, both of whom, as is well known, siient loiii;
periods among the luitives of the Yukon region, ever observed the prot^ess of niiik
ing this orujiment. The latter, however, suggests that it is perhaps done witli an
inii)rovised centerbit, made by sticking two iron points close together iu the «iul
of the handle. » » » Lines rarely represent any natural objects, but goii
erally f()nn ratluu' elegant conventional jiatterns. most conunonly double or siiiiili
borders, often Joined by oblique cross lines or fringed with short, pointed panillii
lines. * * * While weapons are decorated only with conventional patterns. otliprS
implements of bone or ivory, especially those ]t(!rtaining to the chase, like the seiilj
drags, etc , are frei|uently carve<l into the shape of animals, as well as being orna-
mented with conventional patterns.

Mr. L. M. Turner says, furthermore :

The circles which have smaller ones within represent the so-called "kantag" (a|
word of Siberian origin introduced by the Russians), or wooden vessels, manul'ac-
tured by Indians and bartered with the Innuit for oil and sealskin Itootsoles. eti.
These "kantags" are sometimes traded iu nests, i.e., various sizes, one within tlie^
other. (See ligs. 4, 7, and 10, on plate 77.)

Regarding the "circle figures," Mr. Turner^ remarks further :

1 know from information given by one of the best workers of bone and ivory, alsojl
pipe-bowls, in the Uualigraut (or Unalit) village, near St. Michaels, that the cnlr;
means a llower when it has dentations on the outer periphery, and some that werej
nntinislied on an old much used handle for a kantag (wooden vessel) were also saiiil
by him to mean flowers.

'Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology for 1887-88, 1892, pp. 390, Mi'l.
^Letter liated February 2.'i, 1895.

[ghtciier, made of
I more frequently
ears a continuous
ons being unusu
n, clearly indiciit
3ir production, as
(as the V-sliapcd
vethe two points

ars a similar inci
ng lines are each
wrliat between the
significance other

1. Turner informs
i much more com-
ilized representa-

.vitli this figure, may
Point Harrow p«'0])le |

iiiailo articles in the
le objects in the proc
I uionients of leisure,
bhe process. No foul
^erc»l ibr snlc.
1 known, s^ient long

tlie pro(!e8s of niak- ,'i
erhaps done with au f

together iu the fiid
il objects, but geu-
nly double or sin^'le '
ort, pointed piinilltl
;ional patterns, otlipt;
B chase, like the sen]

well as being orim-

-called "kantag" (a|
en vessels, man n lac-
ilskin Itootsoh's. etr.
sizes, one within tbi

:k8 further :

' bone and ivory. :ils(
haels, that tbc ( i<I'
, and some that wcif
'essel) were also suni

5, 1892,i)p. 390, :;!'!

1 1 ,

1 ,

.■'I '

H ■'

Report of U S National Museum, 1835.— Hoffman.

Plate 43.

Ornamented Carvings. Africa and Alaska.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 43.

L_.

1 i^. 1. Fktisii Mai>k ok IIiPPoi'OTAMrs Tooth.

(Cut. No. 174704, U. S. N. M. r,ukiiy;a UiviT, Koiiyo. (Nillcvli'd liv Dorsoy Mohuii.)
liir. 2. I[Aii{-i>!M-.ssiX(i Pin.

((Jat. No. 1747:17, V. .S. X. ^I. Liikiijiii Uiver, Koii;;ii. Collfclpil h.v Doraey Mohiin.)
I'ij,'. :{. llAIH-DKKSSl.Mi I'lX.

(Cut. Xi). 1747;i(), U. S. X. M. LuUuli Itivcr, Kongo. Collected l>y Dorsey Moliiin.)
Fij;. I. Skai, DitAG IIandi.k. Ktlioy ol' tlic .luiinnl.

(Ciit. Xo. SnOlH, U. S. X. M. .SI. Miclia.la, .Mii.ska.)

M t

t^ I!}!

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

815

I'liose circleB alMo re]>ro8eiit Ibe arms; jiiBt why I do not know. The spots over ii
,l(,i,''.s eydid, usnally brown in color in the dog, are also called Tiiq, and a dog thus
iimikcd is culled Tnqoliq. The word refers to th« dark colored portion of that
i(:^i(>ii and has nothing to do with the oriliee, but when the circle is made thus ©,
tlnii it refers to the hole [spot] and the surronuding part.

I have elsewhere shown how the circle, or rjither the si)iral, may be
(liiiwn to denote mobility, as in the shoulder Joint of the Hyure of a
fjrasshopper to denote the Nahuatl symbol for Chapultepcc!.' The
circle is also used on vsirious figures of seals, and apparently denotes
the shoulder Joint, as shown in harpoon head in the collection of the
Museum (No. 43750). Further illustration of the conventional use of
circles is given under the caption of Conventionalizing, with plate 75.

The employment of an iron or steel bit, evid'iuce of which appears
to have been one about three sixteenths of an inch in diameter, is shown
upon a neatly-carved seal obtained in St. Michael's, here represented as
tlie lower right-hand figure on i>late 43, fig. 4. The si)ecimen was used
as a seal drag, two perforations beneath the reach communicating with a
larger one at the lower part of the abdomen, through which the neces-
sary cord was })as8ed. These bit marks are in the form of decorative
circles, the central holes being in each filled with a wooden peg. the
eyes, though smaller, also being plugged with hard wood.

I'late 37, fig. 4, represents a specimen of bag handle or <lrill bow
from Point Barrow, showing a number of nucleated rings, only one
luuleus being without the second outer ring, indicating that these
circles are made with different instruments.

Similar nutileated circles appear upon specimens from an entirely
rciuote locality. In fig. 1 of the rem.iining specimens upon plate 43 we
liave a fetish made of hippopotamus tooth, secured by 'Sir. Dorsey
Mohuu on the Lukuga River, in the Kongo State, Africa. The nuclei
arc ])robably one eighth of an inch in depth, while the circle surround
inii each one-fimrth inch in diameter. The groove clearly indicates
tlic use of a metal tool in every respect resembling the circles and
rcsi)cctive central pits upon the ornamented drill bow shown in fig. 4
oil plate 37.

The specimen referred to is an imitation of the human form, the head
sliuiitly bowed forward, the arms close to the body, with the hands
rtaehing toward each other before the body. The body is represented
iis cur ott" a little below the umbilicus, and is scooped out below as if
intended to be placed upon a rod.

Another specimen, fig. 2, represents a hair dressing pin, from the same
locality, 25 inches long, with a sharp point below, while the almost flat
top or head is ornamented with five similar nucleated circles, each
til rec sixteenths of an inch in diameter.

Tlio remaining specimen, fig. 3, from the Lukuga Kiver, Kongo State,
Vliiia. is a slightly concave disk, bearing five series of concentric

' " Beginnings of Writing." Appleton & Co., N. Y., 1895. j). 90, tig. 49.

i" •

It .

816

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

cJi'cles, tlie <;(5iitral i)erf(»ation in tho middle passing ontirely through
the piwre of ivory, wliicli at that i>oiiit is three - fourths of an incli
thick. The eindes were also made with a metal tool, more likely of
native manufacture, out of a piece of foreign iron or steel, the end
of which was tiled A shaped, as mentioned in connection with the
instruments of the Eskimo.

Tliese African specimens, two nuide of hipi)opotanui8 teeth and one
of ivory, are similar in texture to the nuiterials employed by the
J'iSkimo, and the process adopted practically tiie same because of such
texture.

These illustrations are here introduced not with the object of tracing
the migration or transmission of a given pattern, but because of tho
interest naturally excited by the independent discovery of a process of
workmanship found to have developed in such widely remote localities.

In northern Africa the same form of circle, nucleated and as concen-
tric rings, is very miuth employed for decorative purposes. Wiiat the
original signification may have been it is now, jierhaps, impossible to
determine, and it may be that in the two localities to be referred to
below tlie designs were brought from Europe, aud probably originally
from the Ottoman Empire.

On plate J 1 is shown a leather, brass mounted knife sheath, at the
upper end of wiiich is a tolerably fair attempt at a figure c«msisting of
concentric rings, while beneath it a series of rectangular ligures within
one another. The designs are produced by pressure from the under side,
the i)atterns having been made before the ]>iece of sheet metal was
placed about the sheath. This example is from Tangier, in Morocco.

From an anti(iue subterranean chapel at Carthage was obtained,
about fifteen years since, a collection of Christian lamps and other evi-
dences of tlie secret profession of the then new faitli, among the orna-
mentation upon some of which relics are many symbols of Christianity
and of monograms of the name of Jesus Christ, but the most interest-
ing in the present connection is the recurrence of the very widespread
figure of concentric rings, as also of squares or re(;tangular ligures
within one another, as will be observed upon the illustration of the
Koman lamp in plate 45.

This illustration is re[)roduced from an article by A. Delathe on
Carthage I'antique chapelle Souterraine de la (volliue de Saint-Louis.'

Upon another lamp of the same general form, from the same locality,
is a cross pattee, the arms of which are severed with nucleated and
concentric rings, exactly like many of those upon Alaskan objects.

The larger rings and square figures upon the lamp shown in plate t~>
resemble those upon the brass-ornamented Moorish knife sheath from
Tangier, Morocco (plate 44), where it was secured by Lieutenant A. V.
Niblack, U. S. N. The chief interest lies in the two designs near the

'Cosmos, lievuo «le Sciences et tie leurs applications, Paris, Nouvelle S<5r, 5^".
1896 (March 21), p. 495.

Report of U, S. National Mu»eum, 189S.— Hoffman.

Plate 44.

'..i/iH',

-^^y

C^O'";

;o*^.

Knife Sheath. Tanqiers, Morocco

lit

lis*

i r ■

f 1. 1

ii; 1

, , .

li' ..

: ■

: ^

'■■^

- •■ 1

li ^

11^

Report of U. S. Nnt'Onal Muieum, IHQ'i. Huffrnsn.

PLATE 45.

" ' RC '

' ■^''' Ht 'tr

,4'V jH|''

Roman Lamp. Carthage.

■u

■

i:.;

t ^^H

I
1

.t
1

•

1 :
1 i

■•ii

■

1 i' '

ORAIMIIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

817

top — one a tl);ur« of r(>ctuii;;leK witliiii oiw aiiotlior, and tlio other a
li;;iire of riulo riii^H siirroiiiMliiiK oiio aiiotlier.

It is Htniiiv;^ tliiit tlu'so two (lesions hIiomUI be HU};^rast4Ml ii))oii the
Uoniaii hiinp tVoin Carthage, the hitter of an t^arly rinisthm period,
iiiid from tht^ same quart«>rof At'riea. It is inohabh' that )M»th designs
may iia\e their ori^^in in the ]u>enliar Oriental patterns so freely
tiMphtyed in >ro)nunniedan eonntries, in some of wld<;li they even ante-
iliite tlu^ birtli of Molianiined. The ocenrrence of liki^ desi;;ns in Turk-
estan is also mentioned, and their appaient absenct^ in Hindustan,
as ilhistrated by tlie colU'ctions in the National MustMini, is rather
riMnarkable.

The delicate /.iii/MH lines on the niiddh- band of the sheatli are aitpar-
cntly nnide in the Haine nuinuer as like patterns on Polynesian weapons
and ornaments, by inessin;*- forward upon the tool, and at the Hauie
time rocking it from side to side, the lateral incised ])oints bein^ made
as the lateral cuttinj; edj;e is depressed, and again liberated when
till iiinj,' the tool toward the opposite side to nuike a similar nnirk. The
work is ])erformcd rapidly, and nniy be crudely thou{;li similarly imi-
lilted by means of a very narrow chisel and a piece of hai'd wood.

The recent discoveries in I'^ffypt by Mr. l-'limlers-Petiie are of so
lii^iii an interest to archa'olojry {generally, that a brief refereiuu^ thereto
■I ly be of interest, especially so because some of the i)ottery is de(!o
rated not only with ti<;ures of aninnils and birds, but a common decora-
tive motive which represents "a h>nf; boat with two cabins, an ensijiii
l>ole. and numy oars; sometimes the lij^uro of a nnm is added." A red
ware, said to have been imj)orted from the Mediterranean rejjion, bears
decorations of ''dents de loup,'' tlowers, and i)Iant8.

Of {jreat interest is the di.scovery of vessels bearinjj^ numerous
tij,aires of <!on<"entri<r circles, vjjses of nuler type than the lathe-made
cciamies of the Efjyptians, and recognized to be the workmanship of a
foreign people.

Tliiso iiitiiiih-rs, tliti cvid^ncos of whoso K*'"«'rJil cnltnro, Itcliefs, and fimoral cns-

I s show them to hiivo been striiiifjers in the Nili- ^'illley. Not a single (h-tuil of

their culture did they hold in common with the KgyptianH. Mon-over, their nnm-
''iT, which was found to have spread over a considerahh; ]iortion of upper Kgypt,
tViPiu Aliydos t<» (Jebclen, over one hundred miles, whilst their inliuenci^ was <d)srrv-
mIiIc from Tenneh to llieraconpolis, i. e., over three hundred ami fifty miles, and
iilisolute control of the region which they assumed and which is shown by the total
alisciice of any object lecalling Kgyptian civilization, show them not only to have
1" 111 invaders, but invaders who once had swept ov«'r tln^ region and who, settling
ilown, had lived there for a considerable period, borrowing little or nothing of the
jp< ((jdo whose land they occupied.'

In connection with the report made by Mrs. ('ornelius Stevenson,
whose words I have «iuoted, Doctor 1). (». lirinton remarks that these

'Proceedings of the American Fhilosoidiieal Socit^ty, I'hiladelphia, I'a., XXXV
\^W. p. r.7, riate IV.

NAT MUS 95 52

I,''''

.i:

f F

818

IS i -!■

1^.

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 181t5.

intruders were probably Libyans — that is, Berbers — the ethnography
of which stock has been a special study with him. Doctor Brinton
remarks: " This identiti(;ation, I believe, will finally be established. If
we examine the configuration of the Nile \'alley and its surroundings,
no other theory is tenable, i)r()viding the Libyan stock extended that
far south of the Mediterranean at a date 3()(.M) li. (J, \N'e know they
did, and much earlier, from their very early presence in east Africa."
Itajjpears to be conclusively shown by Doctor Brinton's further argu
ments that the "new race" was of the Libyan stock.

The origin of the concentric circles and other incised ornamentation
as decorative motives on this pottery would seem to have come from
the Mediterranean, perha|>s north of it, where a iwav approach is found
in later Xeolithic stations in Itaiy, Spain, and in the lower strata of
Ilasserlik. Could there have been a prehistorit; comnion center of
develojmjent of this very common ornament in northwestern I'Uirope,
from which it was carried into Si;andinavia, and the valleys of certain
portions of France, where its occurrence is so frequently remarked in
bronze and other articles of personal adornment?

It has been shown that trade routes existed in prehistoric times
between Italy and the Scandinavian Peninsula and Denmark, the scat-
tered graves en route pioducing amber (ov one side and ornaments of
south European manufacture on the other. Similar trade routes, which
were also (culture routes, have also been suggested as having existed
between Scandinavia across northern ICurope and Asia down into India.
Why could not like routes have been foHowed in prehistoric times along
the lines of the localities pioducing so nuich jewelry and fictile ware
chiefly ornamented with sjjirals and concentric rings?

That tra<le routes existed between the countries of the ]Mediterra-
nean, even as far cast as ^lacedonia, has been well established, and
the following remarks are of interest in this connection :

In the June number of -'The Strand Magazine''' appeared an illus-
trated article devoted to finds of coins in (Ireat Britain, one illustration
in particular attracting my attention because of the i)resence upon the
reverse of a nucleated ring, which character in this connection appears
to have no apparent relation with the other objects represented upon
the coin and witli which it is associated.

U])on reference to the various works on the coinage of the ancient
Britons, several curicms, interesting, and apparently new facts present
themselves — facts whi(!h may with propriety be here referred to. The
subject seems to me to be closely rehited to that under ccmsideraticm in
so far as it relates to trade or culture routes, and the adoption of char
acters by a people with whose sigidfication or import they may be unac
quainted, and the ultinnite replacement of sucih char.acters which may
be of importance in and a necessary part of the prototype, by the sub

' Luiuloii, 18!H>.

GRAPHIC AKT OF THE ESKIMOS.

81})

stitutioii of their own characters or symbols, through whi«;h change the
siyiiilication of the legend upon the |)rototyi)e is lost, and would no
longer be recognized by tlie authors thereof.

1 have already referred to the coinage of the Hritons, as treated in
tlu' admirable work of Doctor -lohn Evans,' to whii^h the reader is
iclrrred for full details aiul ample illustrations in support of the sug-
f-cstions ventured below.

1 luive had occasion to refer to liritish coins bearing the tigure of the
liorsc, with additional legs to denote that more than one such animal
w lis intended. Such practice of representing a i>art for the whole, or
vice versa, was referred to as synecdoche, an<l as being common to the
pictographic records of the Xorth American Indians.

On [>late 43, fig. .">, is the representation of an uninscribed British
p(I(l coin, upon the reverse ot which appears the outline of a horse,
cacli leg divided into two, so as to resemble — in fact, give — eight legs,
and suggesting the two horses noticeable upon the obverse of the typical
prototype, as shown in (ig. 1 <mi the same plate. Now, looking at the
jcjfs of the horse on the reverse of fig. l*, there will be seen the same
iiiunber of legs, with the cxcei)tion that tiie engraver of this piece has
united each pair at the fetlocks, so as to terminate in one hoof, instead
of two hoofs, as in some other examples.

In the specimens of the same series of coins the successive copying
of designs has resulted in solid legs instead of by pairs, thus returning
to a pattern on which but a single animal is portrayed.

I'.ut to return from this digression. It is necessary to show how the
oriiiir i patterns came to be employed by the designers for the liritish
coins. It has been pretty clearly proven by Doctor .John Evans, Mr.
Hawkins, and others, that the ancient Britons were possessed of money
Ion<; bel'ore tlie time of ( 'icsav's visit. The distinct mention of money

I "The Coins of tbe Ancient JJritoiis." LoimIou: 1H64-1890.

Seo also Adani8on'8 Account of the discovery at Hexham, in Northumberland, of
AnL;l((-Saxon roins called Stvcas. lioyal Society of Auti<|uarian8 of London [IHIUfJ.
llliistnitions of IttI coins.

I loctoi- Stiikdey's ' ' Twenty-three ))latcB of the Coins of tuc Ancient ISritish Kiiij^s,"
1.(111(1(111. |17t!."».]

Doctor Kvaus remarks that "the coins themselves are most inaccurately drawn,"
\(>t they are interesting as showing a certain degree of evolution and alteration of
( liiiiMcters V iiich the t'ligravers coi>ied or attempted to copy from the prototypes.

Niinimoriim Antiiiiiornni Scriniis Hodleianis liiconditorum Catalogus cum com-
incntario tabnlis icneis et appendice. [Oxonii ?] A. D. IT'iO. Plates.

Nnmmi lUitannici, of inten'st in ]>resent connection, are shown on I'late XVI.

Annals of the Coinag»» of liritain, by the Kev. Httgers K'uding. H. I). I vols.
I.iindou. IXV.K I'latcs and map.

ilio Silver Coins of Kngland, by Kdwanl Hawkins, I'. K', S,, etc. London, 18S7.
>< . riatesand ma)*. (Jives illustrations of i$ritish coins similar to othorderivatives
of the Macedonian riiillipus.

Celtic Inscriptions on (iaulish and liritish Coins. Heale I'oste. London, 1861.
i'latcs i-xi,

:V.

.1"

i {

!,illl'

ill

ill.

!■

820

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

occurs ill various classic writinjjs of the time of Ca'sar, and yearly trib-
ute is noted by Dion Cassius, Eutropiiis, Diodorus, Strabo, and others.
Doctor I'iVans remarks:

It may iii<lt;oil bo ui'g<-(l that these writers tire all of tliein later than Cii-Har; hut
it Ih tu Ite oltHorveil that the iuforiiiation upon which some uf them wrote \ uh derived
from earlier Hoarcos, iiiul that not oue of tiiem treats the jiresence of gold and nilver
in Ihis country as of re<^(nt date, or appears to have had the remotest concejition
that in the time of .Julius Ciiaar it was destitute of them.>

Commerce between the flauls and Britons existed lon^ anterior to
the i)eriod of the Uoman invasion, and a native coinage existed also
amonj;: the ( Jatils. The intercourse of the Pli(cnicians and lUitons was
also of an early date, and the founding of the Greek colony of Massiliu
(Marseilles) — usually placed at about li. C. GOO — also aided in civilizing
that part of (laul, where the neighboring Gauls no doubt first learned
of the usages of tiivilized life, the effect of sucli actjuirements gradually
extending toward the channel settlements, and finally across and
among the British tribes. From this center of civilization, says Doctor
Evans, the Gauls became acquainted with the sirt of coining.

The early silver coins of Massilia (and none in gold are known) were occasionally
imitated in the surrounding country; hut when, abotit the year 15. C. 305, the gold
mines of Crenides (or Philippi) were acquired by Philip II of Macedon, and worked
so as to produce about £250,000 worth of gold per annum, the general currency of
gold coins, which had before been of very limited extent, became much nu)re exten-
sive, and the stater of Philip — the n^gahi uumismo of Horace — became everywhere
diffused, and seems .at once to have been seizetl on by the barbarians who came in
contact with Greek civilization as an object of imit.'ition. In fJaul this was
especially the case, and the whole of the gold coinage of that <ountry may be said
to consist of imitation, more or less rude and degenerate, of the Macedonian
Philippus.'

Doctor Evans further remarks :

Another reason for the adojttion of the Philippus as the model for iniit.ation in tlu;
Gaulish coinage lias been found in the probahility that when Hrennus plundered
Gree(!e, H. C. 27it, he carried away n. great treasure of thtwe coins, which thus became
the gold currency of (ianl. This would, however, have had moreeffect in I'annonin,
from whence the army of Itrennus came, than in the more western (Jaul.

On plate 40, fig. 1, is reproduced a type of the Philippus, the lau-
reate head upon the obverse representing Apollo (or, ai^cording to
some, of young Hercules), while on the reverse is shown a charioteer
in a biga, with the name of Philij) below a horizontal line in the
exergue.

The biga on these coins of Philippus II refers to the victories of
Philip at Olympia. The resemblance to Apollo may have been snj:
gested by some relation to that identification of Hercules and the sviii
which prevailed in Asia at a later time, and possibly as early as that of

' " The Coins of the Ancient Britons." Lon«lon : ISC-l-lSiN), p. 20.
« Idem., p. 24.

i!^

I yearly trib-
, and others.

inn Cti'Har; but
it« V as derived
yold iiiid silver
;o8t coiieeptiou

^ anterior to
existed also
: Uritons was
^ of Massiliii

in civilizinjLj
first learned
its gradually

across and
, says Doctor

re occasionally
;. 3fir), the gold
»n, iind worke<l
ral currency of
ch more exten-
tuo everywhere
13 who caine in
Jiinl this was
ly may be said
ie Macedonian

nutation in the
nus plundered
3h thus becani(>
3t in I'annonia,
ml.

ms, the lau-

uncording to

a charioteer

line in the

victories of
e been suji
and the sun
•ly as that (if

1>. 20.

I! i

I !! I :

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 46.

Fi}". 1. Stater of Philip II. of Maocdon.

Fig. 2. Uniiiscribed ^^okl coin of iiiicieiit l^ritoiis, lieliev»Ml to ha\ o liccn (lesijiiicd nfter
stater of riiili]». (iold; weijufht, 111 Kn>i»>*-

I'ifi. 15. KesciiildcH jjicccdiiifj;', tliough bust and horse face toward left. AVt-ijiht, 114
fj;iiiiiis.

Fig. 1. Also iininH<'ril)ed and of gold. The lillet is of leaves turned n])ward ; llic liorae
!H disiointf<l, and greater dejiartun^ from the ])rototyi)o is a])i)arent.

Fig. 5. Another gold imitation of the stater, but still greater dissimilitrity is appar-
ent on the reverse.

Fig. (!. live small dots arc introduced in the face, so as to cover tins sjiaoe between
the eyes and hair. IJeneath the horse, th(> helmet, visible in the stater, has
become a circle surrounded by small <lots.

F'ig. 7. The dejjarture from the iirotolyjie is still more interesting in this sjx'cimen —
!» nucleated circle, a jilain circle, and a pellet ajtitearing beneath tlu' horse
in place of the helmet. Doctor l^vans. from whom these references were
obttiined, remarks that this specimeu shows ''a curious inst.anee of extreme
degra<lation from the type of the Phillipus on the reverse."

I'iil. S. The headdress resembles a cruciform ornament, with two open crescents
l)laced back to biick iu the center. The reverse bears the horse, with both
a circle and a wheel-shaped ornameut in lieu of the hehuet.

ReoolnfU, S National Musejin 1835— Hot'f,

<i<fiit'tl after

^Vfijrlit, HI

1; tlit'liorse

rent.

ty is iippar-

ice lii'tweeii

Plate 46.

))C('llll('tl —

till' liorse
Uircs wore
)rextrfnie

eresreiits
with both

British Imitations of Macedonian Stater.

!g&.

[I I

i,*

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

821

Philip II.' Between the Itorses and base line is the figure of a helmet,
sufijjestin}; the hea<l jjear of the slain over which the victor is driving.
Oil some specimens the helmet is replaced by the fulmen, a A, or the
(J reek /'.

Uecause of the limited space, the wheel of the chariot is rather oval,
suggesting perspective on the engraving, though on later imitations
tliis can not be claimed for the elliptical form of the wheel or the
character substituted therefor. "The earliest of the (iaulisli imita-
tions," saya Doctor Evans,^ "follow the i>rototype pretty closely, but
eventually both the head and the biga become completely transformed.''

The earliest British coins showing such imitation of the Philip])us
are believed to be of the period of ir)0-20(> B. C, although the death
of Philip 11 took place 15. i\ .'{,'i6, so that his coins began to be
imitated in Gaul about H. 0. 3(K).

The author whom I have above quoted says also that coins reduce in
weight for the sake of the small gain of the governing })ower; and
coincident with such reducti<m in weight, and perhaps size, there is a
remarkable change in types, in each successive imitation, thus depart-
ing more and more from the original prototype. "The reduction of a
complicated and artistic design into a symmetrical figure of easy execu-
tion was the object of each successive engraver of the dies for these
coins, though probably they were themselves unaware of any undue
saving of tnmble on their part or of the results which ensued from it." '

By reference to the illustrations as figs. 4 and r», and plate 47, figs. .*>
and S, examples selected from many diverse forms, there will be observetl
a most remarkable deviation in engraving from the original ty\n\ The
wreath and hair become so strangely altered as to be scarcely recog
ni/iible, a few geometri*' or other simple figures serving in place of the
leaves and h)cks. These finally result in a cross like figure, as in plate
17, figs. 1 and 2, while in some still other imitations the head is repre-
s(Mite<l by an ear of grain, like wheat or rye (designated by Doctor
Evans as corn).

The most interesting changes occur, however, upon the reverse of
tlie imitations, and it is to these changes that I wish to make special
r'-ierence.

As stated, the typical Philippus bears beneath the horses a helmet,
as shown upon the illustration in plate 40, fig. 1. This article of hea<l
gear may or may not have been known to the (lauls, and if it were, it
is more than probable that the Britons were unfamiliar with it, being
more remote from the peoples by whom such defensiv*^ armor was
used, so that even if the helmet was represented upon (laulish imita-
tions, the British engraver seems to have ignored the exact form and

' Kckhel. Quoted at sccoikI liiiiid from Nuiiii.siiiiitn ITelloiiina, by William Murtiii
I.< akt'. London, 18H<), in footnote.

"I'ho Coins of Iho Aucieut IJritons." London, 18«U-1H!»0, p. 24.
Iilem,, p. 28.

iif)

11 ■•

I .. r

fit;

'fi ;.

!1 '•■ .

. II
■ 1

;

•

.; ,1.

822

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

to have made wliat he tliou{i(1it iiuiy have been intended, or ]>erliaps
even ventured to introduce a iSritisli symbolic ligure, the isigniftcation
of which he di«l i'oinprehend.

It is probabli^, also, that, in the abseiu^e of {jood tools for engraving
metals, some of the simpler designs were maile by using a pointed
punch or like tool, and punching the patterns or parts of ]iatterns
desired. The pellet, surrounded by a ring of i)ellets, was equivalent
to a ring with its nucleus, as in plate 40, tig. 8. The figure also pre-
sents itself as a circle with four small pellets arranged in the form of a
cross, and jdate 4fl, figs. 2 and 0, and finally in the semblance of a wheel
with six, seven, or eight spokes, illustrations of which are given in
plate 46, tigs. 7 and 8, and plate 47, tigs. 1, 2, and H. Leaving off the
circle suggested a cross, as in the former, and a star, as in plate 47, fig.
3, both without doubt Druidical symbols, as was also the nucleated
ring, of all of which numerous examples occur. This cross or star form
ultimately gave rise to imitations of crab-like objects, which in turn
were interpreted to denote figures resembling the hand. Such gradual
though i>ersistent imitation resulted in some remarkably dissimilar
patterns, as may be noted by comparing the typical Philippus in plate
46, tig. 1, with the illustration, plate 40, figs". 5 and 0, while beneath the
figure of a disjointed horse on plate 47, fig. 3, the star survives; while
the head upon the obverse retains but a few rectangular marks to den<>te
leaves, while the right-hand upper figure signifies the eye, and the lower
broken circle, bearing a<-Ghai)ed attachment, the mouth.

The A, which has been referred to as a variant, an<l rarely occurring
beneath the body of the horse, has been reproduced as a triangle, the
angles of which consist of nucleated circles connected by short lines.
This symbol is also an astronomical character, and is of frequent occur-
rence on various petroglyphs located in that an^a of country formerly
occupied by the several tribes of Indians composing the Shoshonian
linguistic family.

Again, the same object figures extensively in the mnemonic records
of the Ojibwa Indians, especially those records relating to the sha-
mauistic ritual of the Mide'wiwin, or Grand Medicine Society, elsewhere
described in detail.' Another symbol found in lieu of the triangle,
though without doubt a variant of it, resembles an Ojibwa symbol to
denote " the mystic power of looking into the earth and there discov-
ering sacred objects." It consists of three rings, or perhaps even
nucleated rings, placed in the form of a triangle, a wavy line extending
around the upper circle and downward to either side toward the lower
ones, denoting " lines of vision." What the signification of the char-
acter upon the coins may have been it is imijossible to imagine, unless
it were merely a variant of the A , which in turn may have been a con
ventioualized form of the helmet, as shown in the typical Philippus on

' See the writer's exposition of this ritual in the Seventh Annual Report of the
Bureau of Ethnology for 1885-86, 1891, p. 143.

or ]>(>rliap8
dgiiiftcutioi)

r engraving
i; SI |>ointed
of ]iatterii8
equivalent
re also pre-
lie form of a
e of a wheel
re given in
ving oft" the
ilate 47, fig.
e nu<!leated
)r star form
ich in turn
Lich gradual
\' dissimilar
)us in plate
beneatli the
Mves; while
ks to denote
id the lower

y occurring
riangle, the
short lines,
[uent occur
ry formerly
Shoshonian

mic records
to the sha-
:, elsewhere
le triangle,
ii symbol to
ere discov-
rhaps even
i extending
d the lower
)f the char-
jine, unless
been a con-
hilippus on

Report of tlie

]i n.

Report of U S. National Wuneuni, 1 895 —Hoffman.

Plate 47.

if)' ' "!

I'll! ■.,!

If .: 1

■ 1
II

'.'■

! ■.

1 '1 ■ i

.It.

Coins of Britons and Gauls.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 47.

Fig. 1. The liead oriiuuicut on thi8 pieco becomeH more croHH-liko tlian in the )irece<1-
iiig, while upon the reverse tlie iippearuiice ot'u niieh-ated cirrle Ittiieath
the horse is cunuteibahuieed by another with au additional ciri-le of dots
or ]Hdlet.s about it above the animal's bat-k. U|>on tlie reverse is the name
of a prince, Tasi iovax, whose Latini/ed name would be Tas( i<)\ ants, the
exact form in which the name appears upon the coins of Cunobeline, who
prochiims himself to have been Tajsciovam F.

Fig. 1'. On this piece the crnciforni ornament becomes still more intricate, while the
circles are in various forms and of various types.

Fig. 3. The remains of the wreath are nudetiued, and the object beneath the horse
has assumed a stellar form instead of a circh', wliich in turn was a helmet
in the prototype.

Figs. 1-7. These coins are cast and not stamped. In some spt-ciuiens noted by Doctor
Kvans the grain of the wooden niohl is distinctly visible. The obverse
in all bears a bead in imitation of sonu) petroglyphie rcnuiius in North
America, though the reverse shows the outline of an animal believed to
be a horse.

Fig. ><. This specimen has a laureate bust without any signs of a face; the open
crescents are connected by a serpent line. The reverse bears a horse with
a triple tail and a wheel beneath the body.

t
o
o

1(
Ix

S(l
CO

tn
ex
ex
(.tl

erji
a N
silt

n;,

oCl
riii<
the
iote
Clin
Jiiin

lillC!

otce
Si
the
of A
17, li
show
III

isli 81

okaimik; art of the kskimos.

823

plat«< U\. Wn. 1. Very intiMcHtiii^ IimIuimI are tlio t^oiiis of tin — or an
allity in whi«'h thiit iiuital is in cx«rt'Ms — tlioii^li tlieHo are holioved to be
Gaulish nithcr tiian Itritisli, altlioii^li tlie IummI of tlio I'liili|>]MiM proto.
type is ruUely rcprodiurod, wliilo tlie animal ui)on tlio rovt'rse isholioviMl
by l)o<^tor ICvans to represent a bull rather than the horse. Plate 17,
lifjH. 1, ."), 0, and 7.

The hunum head upon the obverse is the rude representation of that
part of tlie bo«ly, the face beinj; indicated by two crescents, one above
the other, with the concave side outward. The eye consists eitlu'r of
a siiiiph; rin^, a nuehuited ring, or the latter attaehed to a stem which
extends dcjwn toward the neck. The animal form upon the reverse is
readily iletermined by comparison with other coins showing variants.

The two characters beneath the animal form on plate 47, tig. 4, appear
to be a remnant of or to have been suggested by the exergual legend
on the jn'ototype on which the luime, in (Ireek characters, of Philippus
occurs.

On some of the liritish coins no trace of a legen<l remains, but in a
few instances some apparently meaningless (characters appear to have
been introduced, clearly indi(;ating that the engraver was aware of
some legend upon his copy, but being unaccpiainted with its import or
signiticati<»n, introduced an eijuivalent in so far as ornamentation was
concerned, following the custom of geometric decoration. Such an illus-
tration is here reproduced on plate 4t!, tigs. .'{, 4, and 7. In other
examples again, this style of zig/ag decoration is omitted below the
exergue line aiul a inndeated ijirclc portrayed instead of a legend or
other character, as in i>late 47, tig. I,

The wheel of the chari<»t, which is apparent in the prototype, is gen-
erally oval, sometiujes ellijjtical, and in some of the British imitations
a second wheel is placed upon any remaining otherwise vacant spot,
such an illustration being reproduced on ]date 47, fig. .'{, while in plate
l»!, tig. 8, tw() wheel like characters are introduced, one above the body
<>l the horse aiul the other beneath, instead of tlie common nucleated
ring. In examining the numerous examples of coins one tinds too that
the Ihitish engraver has introduced, instead of the figure of a char
ioteer, a number of disjj^inted pellets or rings, and short straight or
curved lines, making it almost impossilde to trace the original in this
Jumble of characters. In some instances these segregated dots and
lines again appear to become lead. justed, ultimately forming a chari-
oteer in the form of what seems to be a winged figure of victory.

Similar unique and interesting imitati«nis o«;cur on the obverse of
tlie British coins, in which the engraver's interpretati(ni of the head
of Apollo (or Hercules) is shown, sometimes as a fanciful cross, plate
47, tig. 1, and in othei' instances as an ear of grain, examples being
shown in plate 4t}, tigs. 3, 5, and 7.

Ill this use of the circles, nucleated rings, and other British or Gaul-
iisli symbols upon British coins, no evidence appears of the transmission

f 'IftT

1 '

M •■

t i ■ '

!ii

; !:fti

Mir

824

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

of sin;li «;hara<rters Iroiii Mucedoniii, from which the coins were obtained,
and which furnished tliedesifjns upon tlie Philippus for the British and
(iaulisli eufjravcrs. Nevertheless, other of the Macedonian coins bear
upon the reverse <'on(!entri<! rings, between which are serrations, so as
to ahnost appear like circular saws of various sizes laid one upon the
other, diuiinisliing iri size toward the upper or last one. On a coin of
Herod I., bearing a Macedonian shield, while upon the obverse of the
saute i)iece is a helmet, with cheek jueces, surrounded by a legend.
The helmet, which appears to form the chief emblem upon the piece,
greatly resembles the smaller headi)iece upon the obverse of the stater
shown in ])late 40, tig. I.

Mr. Gardner,' in his jtaper on "Ares as a sun god, and solar symbols
on coins of Thrace and Macedon," shows that the jMacedonian shield
is of astronomical jjattern, and belongs specially to a deity who is
worshiped as th^ sun, and the interior devi<'e of this shield on the
coins of J[erod I. is identical with that a<lopted as the whole type on
certain coins of Uranojtolis of Mace«U)n.

The occurrence of circles to denote ring money is found in the I'^gyp-
t''in hieroglyphs, and it is barely possible that such characters ui)on
yoelisks, or in other petroglyi>hs, may have had some reference to ring
money in the various countries with which the Kgyjttians were in com-
mercial relations, extending possibly to Ma<redonia, IMnenicia, and other
of the peoi)le8 of the northern siiores of the IMediterranean.

The l']gyi)tians used rings of gold and silver, aiul the Hebrew expres-
sion for the heaviest unit in weight, the talent, originally meant a circle.
Gold rings, siiys ]\lr. Madden,- were also used as a means of exchange
in Uritain, in the interior of Africa, among the Norwegian sea kings,
and in China disks with central i>erfori»tions are employed. The brass
cash is an illustration of the latter, and the sacred writuigs u«ake
frequent reference to rings of metal and strings of gold, the latter
evidently being tied in bundles of certaiii .specified weights and values.

Interesting as this subjec^t may be, it would be inappropriate in the
present paper to continue the study of types of rings and variants
and their signification in the various localities throughout the world
in which they occur as originals, and as the result of intrusion by
intertribal traflic or otherwise.

The wooden tablet represented in plate 33 is reproduced from
Doctor Stolpe's monograph, published in "Ymer,"^ and illustrates one
characteristic type of wood (;arving found in Polynesia, or, to be more
exact as to location, in the Tubuai Islands. The circles are rather
infrequent, but the triangular decoration is more common, and occurs
upon various cerem»)nial inqdements and weapons in various forms and
combinations. In scnne examples the designs are very complicated

'Num. C!hr<)ii., now sfiioH, 1880, XX, <iiiutc(l IVoiii Miuldon's JcwIhIi Coinage
"Coins of tlio .lews, V. W. Maddon, London, 188L
•'Stockhohn, 1890, fig. IG.

fi rs

i- i^

GRAPHIO ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

825

thtiiiiied,
itish iiiul
)ins bear
ins, so as
ui)on the
a voin of
se of the
1 lejjend.
he piece,
;he stater

[• ayinbols
iiin shieUl
y who is
Id oil the
e type on

the I'^.gyp-
!tcrs upon
ce to ring
re in com-
and other

w exprcs-
iit a cirele.
exchange
sea kings,
The brass
ngs make
the latter
nd values,
nte in the
I variants
tlie worUl
rusiou by

iced from
trates one
o be more
are rather
md occurs
forms and
)mpli('ate(l

Joinafjt*.

and elaborate, while in other instances, as upon a metal surface, the
result is a mere zigzag, the result of using a narrow graver, an<l as it
is pushed forward the tool is rotate<l from side to side.

The character of the material upon which decoration is attempted
greatly inlluences the artistic result.

Some circles from eastern Turkistan, to whii^h my attention was
called by my friend 1 )octor Walt-r flimgh, of the Xati«)nal Musenm,
resemble almost exactly those mentioned by Doctor A. li. Meyer,
who presented some interesting illustrations of shields from the J5is-
marck Archipelago and New (Juinea, upon some of which are several
series of concentric rings (four) while some are nucleate<l with a solid
spot and three surrounding rings.'

In his monograph on the whirring toy or "bull-rorer,"' Doctor J. 1).
E. Schmeltz^ presents a number of illustrations from various hx'alities,
nearly all of which are ornamented. Two si>ecimens from West Aus-
tralia are of peculiar interest, from the fact of the recurren<e of two
figures shown on a Koman lamp from Carthage (plate 45, p. 81(i). The

Fig. 38.

GOLD nOAT FOrND AT NORS, HF.NMAKK.

one specimen of these wooden toys is ornamented with five figures of
concentric circles, the three middle ones having ea<'h five rings, while
the fianking or end figures luive each but ibur rings.

Tiie other toy has upon one side three figures of rectangles, each
figure consisting of a nest of five, one within the other, as in the con-
struction of concentric rings. At either end are short curved lines.
Such a coincidence — as it can he nothing more — is ti iily remarkable,
espeiiially as the Australian designs are not in exact accordance with
the usual type of designs.

The district of Thisted, Denmark, contains many small grave mounds,
from some of which unique finds hav«^ been obtained. One clay vessel
covered with a flat stone contained ab<mt one hundred small boats, the
ribs ami sailing of which are mad«^ of bronze bands bent around one
another, while in the middle of these lie sheets of thin plates of gold
whose corners overlap each other at the bottom of the boat and are
bent around the bronze bands above, covering it. In the same manner

' riibliciitioneu aus dcm Koupl. Etlinoi^. MuBfuni Dresden. X. 1895. l'lat«<
XVIII, (iirs. 3, 4, and 5.
^ Das Schwirrholz. llunihiii-^', 18%.

i'S !|

Hi II

I'f

V ,1 >

826

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

the outside covering is eft'ected.' Ipoii the side of the boat ilhistrated
in fig. 38 will be observed two ligures of concentric rings, a design so
frequently met with in the prtihistoric relics of Scandinavia.

A wooden dish,- found with other objects in a funeral ship, bears dec-
orations consisting of concentric rings similar to the preceding.

Petroglyphs in abundance representing so-called cuj) stones, nucle-
ated cin;lcs, and ciuicentric circles of various 'lumbers of rings, as high
as live and six, and occasionally vvm more, occur throughout northern
Europe, from Ireland, Scotland, and elsewhere in the British Isles,
eastward throughout Scandinavia, Finland, and liussia, into Siberia.

In a petroglyph at Lokeberg, in Itohuslan, Sweden,^ are represented
a number of manned Viking ships, above three of which are jwrtrayed
nucleated rings, several of which are attached to projections connected
with the vessel, and resembling uplifted banners or other emblems. In
a number of instancies are small spots only, without the surrounding
circle. These circles in contact with vessels resemble very nuich the

Eskimo eiigrave<l ligures on the rod shown in
another place on plate 08, fig. (J.

Professor Oscar Montelius figures in his "Kul-
tur Schwe<leiis in Vorchristlicher Zeit" a gold
vase nearly 3 inches in height and about 4
inches in diameter, about the body of wiiich are
four rows of concentric circles. The upper row,
near the neck, consists of such raised figures
each more than one-sixteenth of an inch in di-
ameter, while the row a short distance below
this consists of rings averaging three-sixteenths
of an inch across. Below the greatest diameter
of the vessel is another row of raised concentric
rings, the outer one measuring about Uve-cighths of an inch across,
while the circles near the base, ancl extending in a row about it, are
apparently a little less in diainetcr.

These rows of circles are sejiarated by longitudinal raised lines,
between some of which, both above and below the row of the largest cir-
cles, are short veitical lines presenting wliat appears like a milled edge.
This style of ornament is very general and, as note<l elsewhere, of
widesprea<l occuirence.

jMr. Frederick (xeorge Jackson, in his description of the jewelry of
the Samoyads,' says that the bonnet is adorned with tails of colored

Fig. 39.
SAHOTAD OUNAMENT OF MKTA

■ ■ ■' ill ! 8

'QuottMl fniiii Hcport of Natioiiiil Musemn for 1H!M, 1S92, pp. .T)?, 558, tig. 41.
(Prehistoiif Naviil Architocturt", (Jeo, II. lioehiiKT.)

The roiider is referreil to an iiiteri'-atiiig paper on Origins of I'rehixtoric Ornament
in Inland, <oinpIt'ti'«l in Part I of Vol. VII, of tlio .lournal of tlii' Royal Society of
Aiitii|uaries of Ireland, for 1S!I7, by Mr. George Colfey.

^Report of the I'liited States National Museum for 1H91. 1H<»2, p. 5(M, fig. lOS.

'Oscar Moutelins, Die Kultiir Scliwedens in Vorchristlicber Zeit, IJerlin, 1885, p. 73.
tig. 87.

^ The Great Frozfu Laud. London, 1895, p. 67.

Instrated
le^igu so

ears dec-

5S, nucle-
}, aslii^h
nortbern
all lales,
Liberia,
resented
ortrayed
onnected
Bins. In
'ounding
nuch the
iliown in

ii8"Kul-
" a gold
about 4
iiich are
per row,
I figures
ch in di-
;e below
xteentlis
Jiaineter
mcentric
1 across,
Lit it, are

ed lines,
rgest cir-
Icd edge,
vbere, of

:;l

iwehy of
r colored

)8, fig. II.

OrnamenI
Society of

jj. 108.
l«8.'>, p. 73,

f' '

:> .

•i ■ii '

? ,41
r< it

ji k

t!l

Report nf U. S National Muspunn, I89S. Hii'fman.

Plate 48.

Ornamented Ivory Jewelry.

■ 'V '

^■■•l,i;

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 48.

!l 1(1

Fij;. 1. V.\n Pknoant.

(Cat. No. :i0845, r.S. X. M. KimUmiiik. fnlliitiil li.\ K. \V. N<l-<oii.)

rij;. '_'. Eak I'i'.xuANT.

((,'at. Xi>. ;!684ti I .'], V. S. N. M- Kiu I-aUf, Alaska Ciillrilfd l.v K. W. N<.ls()n.)

Fig. ^. KaK I'KNDANT.

(Cat. No. ;!tW4.'). r. S. N. M. Kiislikakwin Itivcr. CoIlnltMl liy K. \V. NcUoii.)

I'i<;. 4. KaU I'KXDANTS.

(Cat. No. ;i()ft:Jit, r.S. N. M. I.uwir KusliUakwiii l!i\ci-. Collcilfil l.y K. W. Xil.soii.)

Fig. '). Kak I'i-.ndant.

(C'.ct. No. 4S71:;. r.S. N. M. Vnl.oii Itivir. ('ollci ted liy K. \V. Ncl.son.)
Figs. (I, 7. KaU I'KNDAXT.'^.

((Jat. Xo.s. ;!l)H4.">, liiiSK). r.S. N. M. Kii.skiimiU. < ollroicil by K. W. N Ihoii.)

Fig. X. V.\U I'KXDAXT.

(Cat. No. IJSlHi, l'. S. N. M. I'.is; Lake, .\la>Ua. ColliTtcd liy K. \V. NrNoii.)

Fig. !t. l'<)\\ i)i:u CiiAKtiKH.

(Cat. Xo. i:!74(iO, C.S. N. M. Ikalnik. Colli'.t< .1 liy J. Applcualr. C. S. Sljiiial CorpH.)
Fig. 10. Fai! Fi;.n'1)ant.

(Cat.A'o.aSltiU, U.S. X. Al. Xuliiklil uhi-uiiiiil. ( ollrcti'il li\ Iv W. Nil.^im.)

i :'

i f ,1:

GRAPHK! AKT OP THE ESKIMOS.

827

.strips of cloth, to wliicli are attached "brass disks (about 3 inches in
diameter) and other ornaments, such as brass ciiarms, beads, and but-
tons." It is ])robable that these materials are specially made in liussia
for trade with the natives; nevertheless the nucleated circle is an
important feature in ornamentation thereon, the metal ])endant, of
which an illustration is jjiven in fig. '.>*,), beiny- not only very similar to
the prehistoric ornaments of Scandina^'ia, but is decorated in the same
manner.

Mr. Jackson says furthermore: ''While I am talking about Samoyad
Jewelry, I might mention the vast biuikles sometimes used to fasten the
belt. They are made of brass, stamped out with patterns, and are
often 1> in(;hes in diameter. Of brass, too, and <'opper are their rings;
and they even wear reindeer bells, each weighing at least half a pound,
hanging from their elbows."

It is but natural to suppose that native art is thus stimulated, and
influenced, by the pr<>bable introduction of mateiials of foreign manu-
facture, such trinkets being gaudily decorated to add to their attract-
iveness in the estimation of the uncultured natives.

IJECOHATION UK I'KKSONAl. OIJNAMKNTS, ITKNSII.S. KTC.

The utilization of various figures to apydy simply for ornainentation
is ^ ery common, and is of later date than the incision of simple lines
and dots. The animate and other characters do not seem to have been
used in any a'sthetic manner until the system of pictography had gained
a lirm ibothold. Numerous examples are here given of simple decora-
tion of drill bows, for which no other record was ready, and of the
various styles of decorating articles of primiti\e Jewelry or personal
ornaments, and other objects of daily use.

The following list comprises a number of selections to illustrate the
various methods of decorating articles of personal use or adornment,
utensils of daily use, and other obje(;ts.

A number of ear pendants are represented in plate 48, figs. 1-8 and
10. The chief interest lies in the variety of ornamentation, consisting
of drill holes, circles, concentrii; rings, and in one instance serrations
are attjiehed to the circles.

The cup-shaped specimen shown in Hg. t) is a powder charge, orna-
mented with conventionalized figures of flowers, fruit, etc., to which
special attention is given in connection with conventionalization.

Plate 32, fig. 1, represents ear pendants made of beluga teeth. They
we'' )tained at St. Michaels, and are ornamented with the zigzag
patltin frequently alluded to as the "fish trap" pattern, Tiiis pattern
is quite neatly made and presents an unusually pleasing effect. Ujion
the bare space between the two transverse rows of ornamentation is
incised a small cross — a figure quite unusual in Eskimo art.

Plate 32, fig. 2, represents a biuikle or ornament used by girls in
securing the hair. The decoration represents a face, the eyes being

'.i ii i'i

:\ ■ ',

' ;

1^'

1 1 !=

^J.^

'■'' 4

828

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

indicated by sharply incised lines, while the impils are perforations
njade with a <liill. The nostrils are also indicated with delicate per-
forations, and the teeth are well defined. The lips are also well detined
by means of transverse lines representing the gums and the edges of the
teeth, while the other lines drawn vertically denote the si)aces between
the teeth.

Plate 3'J, lig. 4, represents a comb from Cape Prince of Wales. This
is of pectiliar interest from the fact that it exactly represents in tmtline
specimens from Torres Strait. The ornamentation resembles Papuan
art designs, and also the peculiar meander or zig/ag pattern referred
to in ])late 33.

On the inner space are three ornaments which represent the conven
tional tree symbols. The specimen is an old one, as may be observed
from its past usage and di8(!oloration. The teeth are broken and appear
to have been short. They weie no doubt made by sawing witli instru-
ments such as are shown in i)late 17.

Plate 40, fig. 4, represents a pair of earrings secured in a stick. Upon
the front are ornameTital incisions representing concentric rings, from
four sides of whicli extend short lines terminating in perforatiotis. In
one of these, liowever, the short connecting lines were not inserted —
this part of the operation having evidently been neglected.

Upon tlie reverse are short projections which Jire carved so as to
curve downward, forming an T-shaped hook for insertion in the lo])e of
the ear.

Plate 40, fig. 5, shows a similar stick with wrapping so as t^> secure
a number of earrings which have been inserted, and in whicli iiianner
they are transferred from i)lace to i>lace for sale or for barter.

Plate 50 represents a series of carved ivory belt buttons and pend-
ants, as well as two spear guards for attachment to a canoe. On tig. 1
is shown the crude meander or zigzag so frequently referred to. T'pon
the outer surface of these figures .appear small tridents wliich rei)resent
trees, or rather they may be termed the conventional ornamental figure
evolved from the tree figure or tree design. A simple meander or
triangle is shown upon the button in plate 50, fig. 2, in whi(!h, it will
be observed, the meander is produced by the interdigitation of short
lines attached to the parallel lines within Avhich the meander crosses.

Pigs. 3, 4, and G have circles with various decorations, that upon fig.
4 being perhaps the flower symbol, described elsewhere in detail.

The ivory button shown in fig. 5 is decorated by simple perforations,
each of which is filled with a wooden peg, the arrangement of the
perforations being regular and symmetrical.

Plate 51 illustrates six forms of bone belt fasteners or toggles. The
specimen shown in fig. 1 was collected by Mr. L. M. Turner at Norton
Sound, and measures 2^ inches across. Within the upper and lower
margins are five horizontal incised lines, while along the vertical edge
there are but four each. Upon the inner line and directed inward are

irforatioMB
licate per-
il I defined
gcH of the
8 between

les. This
in outline
s Papuan
1 referred

conven-
observed
id api)ear
til instru-

V. Upon
iigs, from
ions. In
iserted —

so as to
le lobe of

;o secure
Uninner

lid pend-
On fig. 1
'. I'pon
epresent
al figure
mder or
1, it Avill
of short
crosses,
ipon fig.
lil.

(rations,
t of the

iS. The
Norton
d lower
!al edge
ard are

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 4 9,

"I!V IaIPIKMKN]

iC.it. X,

• 1.1:. 1'. I \

<"!V I.MIM.KMKM
((-'iit. Xo, HIMil.s, (•

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\iiniL;iiiHi"i

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(<':\{. X,

'K- I. K.M!

<Wfi. r

I.IM.S IN W

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N.M. Ah

l'.\HlilN(iS I\ \\-

'>"|'I:n II(pm,i:

"'':in Isliiiiils.

•'"IllTt.ll l,\ I,

M. I

iiiiiii'.)

I'iu. (!. I

('.it. \i). :;i;(i| 1, [
^"';v <ii;\.\.Aii:.\
C'ai. Nil, 3rt7Ju, U.S. X.

"""■:\ ![()(. i)|.;

. S. X. M. \,

"Ilk. ('.,11,.,. I,., I \,y J.; w
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:ii.\ iilii'liML

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""Mil. C, II, .,.(,., I 1,^. |.;_ \Y.Ki

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•M. c,,!!,.,.,,.,! I,

.V !•;. w. x,i

.soil. J

Rppnrf nf U S N.ilion.il Museum, IflJ^, — Hof'iTi.m

Decorated Ornaments and Utensils,

ill

II:

'«

:'"

i '

'■

'I ■ I r^

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 5(

Fi^'. 1. C.AHVKI) ]{K|.T FaSTKXKK.

"'^"•^'o-">*5«7,T-.S. N.M. M.nilhoCI,,

liH. 2. C.\i{\i;i) ]{Ki.T HrnoN.

(I 'iit.Xo. :!;!(!:!:!. r.s.x.M. st. >ri,.i

wer Vukoii Uiv.T. r„ll(,,.t,..l l.y Iv W. Nels

'"•)

!•

!«. :^. liKl.T niTTON.

i.U'ls. Collcctcl liy !•:. W. X,

Isiill.)

V\g. 4. l{j.:i/r 1

('.'at. Xii. ;i,sui];i. r. s. X. M. ( 'i,.,]

iUITOX

(<'iit. Xo. :i77fii, r

ifiniit. Collcctcil l.y K. AV, X,,)

son.)

!«■ 5. MrnoN.

X. M. K

"iiKi-iiiKiyiiiiiiil. ColU-.tcl l.y K W. Xi'ls.

.11.)

V\)y. (i. Hi-.i/r ()

( ( ar. Xo. 480;iO. r . S, X .M , K„( z,.i

KXAMKXT.

.11.. Sound. ( ■..lle.t.a l.y i:. w. Xcison.)

V\iX. 7. S

Fij.-.

((.'at. X,..;t8l.-,L'. I'.S. X..M. i.

I'KAK GrAl!l> K(.H KaIAK.

d'at. Xo. :i5;t8;i. r. s. x. ^r.

owcr Viiki

111. C.illi.ct,.,! liy K. W. Xeli

•"<. SPKAU (iU

■.srii.

iinii'iMniiil.

AIM).

Sf.n.)

>y K. W. Xi'Is

(<':it. Xo. t:ir.:i(i. r.s. x. .\i. ( ■,•,,„. v

\»' \ aiiroiiviT. Coll,.,.),.,! liy K. \V. Xel

els<.n.j

Rppiirt of (J S National MusHum, 1 895.- Hnffn-an.

Plate 50.

I) M;

r f:

ri.

' V:

■ ;,'. ^5

IvoRV Buckles and Pendants.

I ' i'

: : :l!

„i. '•!!

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^^v '^^H

mU- IB

I 1

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 51

y. 1. Hi-.i 1 Fasi KNKi!, T()i.i;i.K Hi; IUckm;.

(Cat. Ni). JliilU. I'.S. N. M. Xnrtiui Snuiiil. ('nllicli-il I,y I,. M, Innirri
<;. J. liEi.r I'asikm:!!, Toiaiii; ou liUt.Ki.i:.

i(':it. Xii.JKllii. r. S. X. M. Xortoil Soiiiiil. Ciilliclcd l)y L. M, I'uiinT.i

i;. ;>. Mi'.i.r rAsii:\r,i!, TiKitii.i: oit I'.rcKi.i:.

iCiil. Xo. •JlillJ. r. S. X. M. Niiriiiii SiMiiicl. ( dllci ifil liy L. M. riirinT.)

ii. I. Uki.i' Fastkm'.u, To(i(ii.E til! I?rcKt,i:.

(Cat. Xo. ;i7'.l!lJ. r. S. X. M. IMimit. ("ollfcl.il by l). \V. Xclsoii.)
y. r>. liKl.r IVxSTKN'Kl!, Toiilil.K Oil l$lCKI.i;.

(I'Ml. Xo. JJCit;;;, r. S. X. M. Xoitoii SmmimI. Ccillcclid l)y I",. W. Xi1miii.»
j;. il. IJKi.r Fa>tk\i:i!. Toixii.!', oh IU'( ki.I"..

(Cal. Xo.rniJL' I'.S, X. M. rriiiiorsUa. ((illfiU'd li\ W. II. Hall.)

Report of U. S National Museum, 1895 Hoffman.

■teiiWIttUIMIItliMilL

Plate 51.

Ivory Buckles or Toggles.

?«..('!? I

- '^l' \

■ ^ ^!'

• ;;| ||'.

I II

'i' ^iil m

\l m\

K ^

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IL *Z

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Ill

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(IP i:

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POIiiij:

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Rtport of U S National Museum, 1 895. —Hoffman.

Plate 62.

Pj,nvt?

I : *C'.«t^l-sif

,«• '4*r

'*JS!SIwPp*' ■'

#'*»':;^i^'f^^.i«^

ilfiil'

»f.^)jHMiiHlHHf)j|*fs

^^raiflBKri

,>Hu< 'nMMMM

liiaiTiT ii

CO
UJ

-i
o

UJ
Ui

Z
O

z
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UJ
CD

3
Z
(O

llM

-t%5*.«S' %

'fc u:

GRAl'IIIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

mnitttm

82J)

sliort incisions, each oiic-Hixteentli of an iiudi in icni^tli. SunoiMulin};
the central perforation in a (luadrihitcral tijjfnre confonnin;; to tint out-
lino of the ornament, (ionsistinjj of three incised lines one-Hixteenth of
an inch a]Kirt. Upon the inner sides of the square are siniilai- short
lines directed upward toward the interior, as upon the inner line of the
outer s(|uare.

In plate 51, fi};. 2, also from Norton Sound, the ornamentation von
sists of eij^ht lines running*' |iurallel with the four outer borders, the
interior space about tlie (icntral perforation bein;;- blank.

In plate 51, tiy. .'{, also from Norton Sound, the ornamentation becomes
a little more (iomplex. The two sets of parallel lines around the inte
rior form a s«]uare. Within each set of lines thus drawn ar*-! markinjjs
so jdaced as to form a cru<le zij;zay resultinjij from the short lines pro-
jecting alternately outward and inward by a process resembling wiuit
might be termed interdij^itation. Tliis has some resemblance t«) or sug-
gests the Papuan patterns, to which reference is madeelsewheie. The
interior space about the central perforation is ornamented by two lines
forming a cross.

In plate 51, lig, 4, there is shown a buckle from IMnuit, Alaska, and
both lines and dots are employed in ornamenting the surface. The
sijuaresare present as in the preceding reconl, while small perforations
occupy the space between the groups of lines.

In plate 51, tig. 5, from Norton Sound, the outer border consists of
two decorated tigures, while surrounding the central i)erforation are six
concentric rings, four short lines diverging from the outer ring toward
the outer angles of the ornament. From the inner angle of the inner
quadrilateral ligure are four short lines, each terminating in a V-shaped
tigure, or bifurcation, rudely resembling the conventionalized whale tail,
though in this instance more likely denoting a tree, as it also represents
a conventionjllized tree figure.

In i)late 51, fig. <}, from Premorska two series of lines are drawn, with
the ditt'erence, however, tliat instead of bearing additional ornamenta-
tion between the two quadrilateral tigures the ornamentation consists
of nucleated crircles, three upon each side, while within the inner
square and surroundhig the central perforation are tiiree concentric
rings. The space beyond the outer ring and the angle of the inner
s([uare is filled witii small figures consisting of a spot surrounded by
two concentric rings.

Upon plate 52 are shown thirteen figures of needle cases or snulf
tubes, upon which are shown various styles of ornamentation. The
specimen at the extreme left, from the Lower Vukon, is o(!tagon;il,
while the next shows a series of rings produced 1)y tiling, as in the
fourth figure, and to a certain extent in the last. Tlic encircling hands
ui»oa figs. 5, G, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate in various ways tlie rudimentaiy
Ibrras or originals from which have developed that peculiar meander
or zigzag to which reference is made in various i)laces and in various

i 'i;

if
It;

11^

830

UEPOUT OK NATIONAL MTSKUM, 1K!»5

1 1

i t 3i

! . J

connections, and wliirli Iuih Immmi coinpariMl to a <;ertuii degree with
tlio rapiian ornanientiition n^t'ernMl to by Mr. Alfred C. lladdon.
Upon the l\v«> ll^^nrcs at the right iiand are a series of small, nu(;leated
ringH, an<l i)arti<*ularl.v in (ijr. 12 are shown several instances in which
these rin};s are surronnded by radiatin^j^ lines, a bottom line extending
to a transverse base line or attnclied (o another nncleated cirele of like
form. These may be n'lated to the (lower symbols, to which Mi-.
TaK^en M. Tnrner makes reference in the lettei- which 1 have (jnoted.

Plate .'55, lig. 1), sImjws a tobacco box froni Sledge Island. It is a rude
imitation of a seal, a small opening Iteing cut in the neck, while the
rear end was at (Uie time undoubtedly closed by means of a wooden
plug. TheornaiiHMitation throughout consists of parallel lines between
which the incisions of short trinisverse lines are so arranged as to indi-
cate the rude nu'ander ov zigzag i>attern. Upon the back are several
conventional tree patterns

Plate -o. tig. 1, represents an ivory casket from St. Michaels. It is
made of the upper hollow portion of a walrus tusk and is very pro-
fusely illustrated with the zigzag pattern, borders of which encindo
the spe(;imen both above and below, while arouiul the center is an
almost continuous pattern of six nu(!leated circles, each connected
with the otluT by means of continuous strips or zigzag ornamentation.
Between the two outer lims of each of these ornaments we lind the
fish trap pattern, in some the plain zigzag, in another short transverse
lines, etc., showing various degrees of ornamentation of the same gen-
eral type. Kadiating from the outer circles of all the specimens are
short vertical lines at four opposite points, in imitation of the tlower
sj'mbol. On the remaining spa<!es between this central ornamentation
and tlic two outer margins are rows of small circles similarly orna-
mented within by concentric rings and upon the outside by ladiatiug
lines.

The round box illustrated in plate .')4, tig. 3, is from Norton Sound.
This was used for holding (isliing tackle. The top and bottom are
made of wood, while the circular band is ma«le of a Hat ])iece of rein-
deer horn securely lashed together at the Joints by means of two iron
and one copper clasp attached longitudinally. The surface of this
band of horn is very neatly ornamented around the upper portion in
zigzag pattern, while the corresponding border below has been left
plain. IJetween these two borders, however, are a series of figures of
concentric circles very iu»atly incised and Jirrangcid alternately, first a
large circle, then two small ones. Kach of these figures is furthermore
ornamented by four radiating lines resembling the flower symbol,
although from the great number of concentric circles within it there
is suggested rather the idea of the symbol used to denote the nests
of kantags or wooden buckets obtained by l)arter from the Chukchi of
the Asiatic side.

Plate 35, fig. o, rei)re8ents a bone "mouthpiece" from Diomech;

OHAI'IIIC ART OF TMK KSKIMOS.

831

lomed*'

iHliind. The oriuitiKMitatioii u|>oii tliis is nul<- aiid det^ply incised, con
sistiny' of H bjis«» line (»t' two parallel incisions. I>el ween \vlii«'li is tlie
iiule meander or %i^/a^^ to the top of whi(th are incised at re^nhir inter
vals trident lljjnres ij'presentinj; the (vtnventioiial tree syniljol. Sinii
lar incisions and markings apptsir also iip<ni a lar^^er specimen irom
the same locality, shown in tig. 7.

Plate .'t'J, tig', f), shows a spt^'inien withont any indication to iinirk the
lot'ality from which it was obtained, althongli from its association witli
the collections from Alaska it may be infeired that it was made by soim^
one of the native tribes, very lik«'ly the sonthern or southeastein
natives, who have intermarri«'d with the Thlinffit, or possibly the Thlin-
jjit themselves, altlMmjfh the jiarviiij; very {jreatly res«ind)les that copi«>d
after the work of the Ilaida. In almost any position in which tlie
specimen may be hehl faces appear. I'pon the lower side is tlu' repre-
sentation of a face the expn^ssion of wliich is exactly like that in ti;:. .'>,
wliile the front or ronnded portion of the ornamenr shows a p4M lec^t
snake's head, thonyh this was proltably inteinled to represent a seal.
The ornament a]»pears to havt^ been nsed for atta«hment to the end of
a cord, ]>robably in harness or on some wea]»on.

Plate l.'{ represents thre«' liynres of bone seine shuttles oi- handles
from the Yukon River. The ornamentation u])on tig. I is vt;ry simple.
It consists of diagonal lints between two horizontal ones, with the
exception of a small s])ace about the upper third, where half a dozen
lines cross at the opposite angle. lIi)on tig. 2 the lines are cdoser
togi'ther, and in the lower ligure very short iim>s are attached so
as to extend at right angles from their rcsi)ective base lines. These
are of that pi'imary type forming the base of the '4ish weir" or "lish
trap" i>attern, which in turn forms the base of the rude angular mean-
der and ultimately (d" tlie zigzag, to which reference is nnide elsewhere.

In fig. 3 th(^ ornamentation consists first of two horizontal parallel
lines extending along each outer border, between each j>air of lines
are short lines forming zigzags. The interior spacers are tilled with
other i)atterns. At the u]>per end is an animal, apparently represent-
ing a wolf, witli the life line upon the body, while at the lower extremity
s. thi> outline of a beaver. At the two small triangles formed by the
'•ros.s Iin« .>• the middle of the sjiecimen aic two small trees, simply
decorative, find iiiteiuied to fill the blank s])ace.

ii.)t(» 1!», lig. .'i> ri',>ri)se"ts ;\ \en beautiful net shutth^ obtained in
tiie Aleutiiiii iKlsiuds bv ^1 . L I. Turner. The only ornament of any
<-v>nsequenceon tiiis r<')ir 'Heiits i figure ni' con(!entiic rings, from which
radiate eight delii-ate liih;.->. Tlds is probably a highly conventi(Uialized
figure of th' iow* r symbol, ttiough in the ductography of the Ojibwa and
some of ihc -^hosiioiiian tribos it would denot«' the symbol oi' the sun.

The superiority (.-f Mic v.orkmanship is apparent, and is character-
istic of that of the soutliciu Alaska, or rather the Aleutian, natives.

Plate 28, fig. 1, represents a reel for sinew for small nets, obtained

t '

; t

11!

il-' i

t^.^.^

1 l!

h\h :-

832

RKI'OHT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 189'

ut Vjii\)o N'aiM'oiivor, Alsiska, by Mr. E. W. NelHoii. Thv specimen ih
iniidt^ of bolus iiiul is decoratud with inciHod lineH e\t(MHliii{;froiii point
to point ulon^^ (Mtiiur Mli^e, with iuterior nmrkin^H of short linos, as
shown on tht; spocinien.

Phitci 'J'.i, li^. I, roprcHiMits a tishin;; implement nuuleof rcindeur horn.
It is sli;;htly (Mirvoil and forked at either end, three of the four ends
terminal in^ in liemls, ])robably tliat of the seal. The chief <Iecoration
consists of a median line extending from t^id t(» end, to which are
attaclied several |»airs of characters re)»resentin^ the herring bone
pattern, thon^li with the addition of Hhort outer lines.

The pertbration visible in the center is intended for holding a drill.

IMate .'Jr», tigs. 1, 2, and .'J, represents snnill ivory thimble holders or
guards. The ormunentation upon these is different, that upon tig. 1
and tig. - ronsisting, respectively, of simple borings or depressions and
concentric rings, while upon llg. .'{ appears a continu(ms line, to which
ar<' attached several pairs of short obliipie radiating lines, as in plate
lil>, tig. 1.

IMate ',Vi, tig. 1, repr«'sent8 a seine thimble holder trom Kushunuk.
This is a rude outline of a seal with the young i)laced transversely to
its back, while the ornamentation consists of several sizes of concentric
rings, two of which show radiating lines attached to the outer surface.

IMatc .'5r», Hg. (J, represents a thimble guard from Unalakleet. The
mnamentation upon tiiis is in imitation of that from the Northwest
Coast northward from Kotzebue Sound, and consists almost exclusively
of various patterns of the zigzag or nu^ander design.

riate 2."5, tig. .'J, is marked in the catalogue as a bone grass comb, from
Kotzebuc Sound. Mr. Murdoch, who has examined the specimen in
my presence, believes it to be simply an ordinary comb for personal
use. The ornamentation is divided into two panels, separated by four
parallel transverse lines, each about one-eighth of an inch from the
other. Short lines, placed closely side by side, radiate from the inner
lines t«)war(l the outer. These inner lines with short radiating lines are
reprochuH'd at either end of the specimen. Ueference to the illustra-
tion will more clearly represent this. In the upper panel is the por-
trayal of a whale, with some other lines probably intended to denote
whales, but the figures were not completed. There is also a depression,
which was used for the insertion of the top of a drill. The lower i)ancl
contains several i>airs of parallel lines, between which is the rude out
line of a steamboat representing a revenue cutter.

Plate 41), tigs. 1 and li, represents ivory implements, probably used in
connection with harness. The former is decorated with a series «>f
nucleated rings, all of one size and app.arently made with the same
instrument, while on the latter the rings are replaced by simple jier-
forations, some of which are about one-eighth of an inch in depth and
were subseijuently ftlle<l with a hard gummy substance. The most of
them have now become emptied of tliis material.

Hi li,.

GHAPiriC AUT OK THK KSKIMOft.

883

eciinen ih

I'oiii point

linos, UM

leer \um\.
four ends
lecorutittii
vliicli lire
'in^ hone

H; a drill,
lolders or
)on li^. 1
sions and
I to which
s in ])late

ushunuk.
^^ersely to
concentric
r surface,
eet. Tlie
Northwest
Lclusively

tnib, from
cinien in
personal
1 l>y four
from the
he inner
lines are
illustra-
the por-
denote
prossion,
er i)ancl
ide out

used in

leries of

le sanu^

pie per-

)th and
Imost of

The rei>resentation of the two snow shovels, tij;. 10 a iind />, is to
nulicati^ the nuinner of attaching; tlic ivtuy cutting c<l^es upon which
some of the en{;ravin);s descrihcd are fonnd. The wooden portion is
^fcnerally nuide of spruce; the several pieces (romprisin^^ the shovel, as
above shown, are secured t«»};ether by nn'ans of sinew braid. They are
used for all kin«ls of shoveling; in the snow, and sometimes for «'xcavat-
in;; in snowdrifts, f«>r nuikinp; pitfalls tor pmus etc. The ed};e of the
wood is tltted with a t(Mi};ue into a y:roove in the top of the ivory edjic,
which is 1.3 inches deep. It is fastened on by wooden treenails at

KiK.40.

SNiiW SMOVEI.H.

irregular intervals, and at one end, where the edge of the groove has
been broken, by a stitch of black whalebone. ♦ * * Tlie whippings
of sinew braid on the handle are to give a tirm grip for the hands.'

I'Mg. 41 is a fanciful object " made solely for the market." The speci-
nu!u measures 2.0 inches in length, and is made of an ivory head fitted
into a handle of wood painted red. "The head was called a 'dog,' but
it looks more like a bear. Small bits of wood are inlaid for the eyes,
ani tiie outline of the mouth is deeply incised and <!olored with red
ocher, having bits of white ivory inlaid to represent the canine teeth.

'Ninth Viinual Report IJureau of ICtlmology, 1887-88. 1892, p. 30C, tig. 386, a and b.
NAT MUS 1)5 53

\l'

I 1*1 it

834

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

f'l ! r

The ears, nostrila^ vebrissa', and hairs on the muzzle are indicated by-
blackened incisions. There is an ornamented collar round the neck, to
which is joined a conventional pattern of triangular form on the throat
and a somewhat similar pattern on the to^t of the head between the

ears.

Ornamentation of utensils is carried on to an almost unlimited degree,
and the simple nucleated circle occurs very fre<iuently, in fact in pre
ference, in some portions of Alaska, to the arrowhead and herringbone
designs.

Fig. 41.

t)EroRATKD ivonv c.Mivma.

I'oiiit BaiTow.

From Point r>arrow we have a twister for working the sinew backing
on bows, upon one aide of which is a row of conspicuous nucleated
rings.' The specimen is of ivory, and measures 5.4 inches long. It is
one of a pair, as two pieces constitute a sel.

In tig. 43 is represented a good example of a native dipper made of
fossil ivory. The decoration along the top of the straight tlat handle
and around the uj^per part of the outside of t!ie bowl consists of
nucleated circles. These Avere originally colored with red ocher, but
are filled with dirt, while those upon the handle are, to a great extent,
almost effaced by wear.

TWISTER POH WORKINO SINEW BAC'Kl.VG Olf BOW.

Upon fig. 44, representing a knife with a handle made of reindeei
antler, occur a number of lines of nucleated cin^Ies «ionnected by short
lines. The ornamentation extends horizontally along the top and sides,
the incisions havitig originally been colored witli red ocher, but at
present contain more dirt than o(!her.^

'Ninth Annual Report Rnreau ofEtlinolnf^y, 1^187-88.
^Idcm, i>, 173, fiKH. U:? and 114.

1892. p. 292, Ar. 2fi6.

'^^^^^iik

indicated by

tlie neck, to

)n the throat

between the

ni ted degree,
1 fact in 1)16
herringbone

I 11

lew backing

s nucleated

ong. It is

»er made of
Hat handle
consists of
ocher, but
eat extent,

■^

' tjVB El

«' tl

reindeer

by short

^nd sides,

r. but at

kr, 28B.

i'[5|!^

3. ..1

1': ■■

1 1

Report of U. S National Museum, 1 895 —Hoffman.

Plate 53.

Decorated Hunting Hat. Katmai Island, Alaska.

GRAPHIC ART OK THE ESKIMOS.

835

Another iiiterestinjf specimen of workmanship, bearing ornainiMita-
tion of the same character as the preceding, is shown in i\g. 45, and
consists of a cliisel. The small blade has an oblique tip, not beveled
to an edge, and is haft('<l in walrus ivory, yellow from age. The
nucleated rings aie coh)red witli red ocher, and the two halves of the
handle are fastened together by a stout wooden treenail and a stitch of
whalebone.'

Fi};.4;i.

DIPI'EIl (IF FOWSIL, IVOKY.2

The accompanying illustration of the foreshaft of a seal dart, fig. 46,
is given, reproduced from the report on. the natives of Point Barrow.'
The ornamentation is contined almost wholly to the nucleated circles,
the oidy animate object portrayed being a deer. It is said that some
of these shafts are highly ornamented, the firjures being all incised
and colored, some with ocher and some with soot.

The specimen shown on plate .'i.'i represents a decorated hunting hat
from Katmai Island, Cooks Inlet, Alaska, and was collected by Mr.
W. J. Fisher.

/b.

l''i{r.44.

1.AR'1K KMKB Willi OUNAMKN IKll IIANDI.i;.

This vari«'ty of head covering is (Mumiion to tlie Uiitives of the islands
of Kadiak and those occupied l»y tlic Aleuts. 'Iliis si)e(;ini«'n is made
of wood shaved down until tlic average tliickness is only about one-
Icmrth of an inch, wliile tlie Insight along the front, from the toj) lo the
I'ottom of the viscu-, is !>!,'. inches. The color in chief is of white; the
iiorizontal band about the bottom, llcsh color; the remaining vertical
stripes in front smd about the top, and downward through the crescent-

Niiilli Aiimiul liiijiort Miireini of Ktliii<)lo<;y, 18S7-HS. ls<t2. p. !";{, ligs. li;{ and lit.
Idem. tijr. IL'. ].. 103.
Idem, p. 217, lig. L'04.

If.,

836

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Ill

KiC. 45.

OIIISEI,, WITH DKCO-
KATICI) IIANDLK.

i\l'i

like figure, blatik. Tlie interior spaces between the black lines just
nanic'l are filled in with dark or dirty vermilion.

Beads of dark blue, bhuk, and white constitute portions of the
decorations, while the projec^ting lines denote the application of sea-
lion bristles, over several of which beads have been sliiiped.

Tlie chief purjjose of here representing the specimen is to show the
place of attaching the decorated bone <unaments illus-
trated on plate 52. The strips of bone are but one-eighth
of an inch in thickness, yet there are a number of per-
forations along the top curve and outer edge, in which
were inserted bristles secured by small wooden pegs.

The ornamental ;.lab of bone attached to the right
side of the hat is decorated with oblique grooves, about
one-half an inch apart, between which are
rows of dots 01- coini)lete perforations.

Upon the left side of the hat the bone
slab was split from near the top to the bot-
tom, while the diagonal grooves were util-
ized to carry threads beneath the level
of the outer surface to hold together the
pieces from comidetely separating.

Upon the upper part of the back of the
hat are twr arrowheaded ornaments, each
I'l inches in length and projecting at right
angle"? from the wooden base, each being decorated with
nucleated rings, those on the central rows of four each
measuring three-sixteenths inch in diameter, while the
outer rows of three rings each are but one-eighth of an
inch each.

The two en«ls of the piece of which the hat is made are
held together by means of a piece of wood 5^ inches long
and less than an inch in width, placed horizontally at
the back and bearing perforations along the central line,
through which a sea lion's whisker has been jtassed in
imitation of stitching, thus securing the ends with a ]>er-
fectness to almost resemble a continuous pi«^ce of wood.

The decorations vary according to the owner's skill and
taste, and are used in canoe trips to protect the eyes froni
the glare of light and to permit more intent gazing for
the marine animals sought.

In plate 54 are three exami)le8 of Eskimo bone carv-
ing, the outer ones being charms and ornaments for attachment to the
hunting hats, an illustration of which, together with the method of
attachment, is shown in plate 53.

The si)ecimen at the left of the plate, as viewed by the reader, was
collected by Mr. E. W. Nelson at Hhaktolik. It is of bone, and is deco-

Fig. iO.

SKAI, KAKT.

lines just

MIS of the
ion of sea-

► show the
lents illus-
ono-eighth
ber of per-
3, ill which
leii pegs.
) the light
)\e»j about

i\\. MAHT.

lilt to the
let hod of

|(l(>r, was
is deco-

^ H

;| H

• M

lii. 1

l\ i'

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 54.

l-iii. 1. Hat Ouxamknt.

((\it.Xo. -JlTii:!, r.S. N. M. St. Mirhai-N. Collei'lnl liy I. MTmrnT*

Fiji. 1'. Hap ()i:na.mi-.m.

((,'at. N'li. .")(lll4, r. S. N. M, I'ri-innrskii, ViiUmi Itivcr. ( ulliTtid li\ TIioiikim l)i'iini-<iiii.)

lijf. ;>. Hat Ouvamkni.

((.^iit. No. 4;w(i8, r.s. N. .M, sii.iktoiiu. Cuiiri ini ii\ )■;. w. Nii>..ii.,

Report o' U S. National Museum. 1895- Hoffnnan.

Plate 54.

II-- '$ ^^

li^^^

If '•'

"'■;

-^v.1

^n i

lit

Hat Ornaments of Bone.

:ti '1

GRAPH FC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

837

ruled with tlireo round ]>ie(!e8 connected above and below by i)erniit-
ting the original bone to remain intact while the intervening portions
were removed. The disks are each ornamented with live niu'leated
circles, tlie central spots being perforations of uniform diameter.
Among these rings are three incised lines, darkened by dirt.

The specimen at the right side of the plate is from St. Micliaels,
N(>rton Sound, and was collected by Mr. L. M. Turner. The specimen
is also of bone, an«l the decorations are alike on either side. This also
is a charm for use on hunting hats.

The specimen in the center of the i)late is of thin strip of bone, to
be used for a similar purpose as the two i)receding in ornamenting
hunting hats. The specimen is marked ''Natiomil Museum, No. 5(J04,
Premorska, Yukon Hiver," and was collected by Thomas Dennison.
The nucleated circks U[»on the specimen have running upward straight
lines, bifurcated at the top in imitation of one variety of the tree sym-
bol, while midway b«'tween the top and bottom are like i>roJecting lines
as at the top. At the lower extremity of the specimen is a simple form
of decortation, consisting of a horizontal line from which short lines are
projecting.

Plato 7 represents three forms of ivory arrow and spear straighten-
ers from three different localities and bearing dift'erent forms of decora-
tion. The specimen at the left side of the plate was collected by Mr.
E. W. Nelson at Diomede Islands, a locality occupying a position mid-
way between the American and Asiatic continents. It measures 8J
inches in extreme length, 1^ inches across the widest part, and has an
average thickness of five-eighths of an inch. The perforation with
which the weapons to be straightened are held is at an angle of almost
45 degrees, as compared with the plane of length of the piece.

The rear or convex part is plain, but upon the slightly concave front
is an engraving of a reindeer. Tiie lines seem to be partly filled in
with dirt, tJie result of use, and not with black coloring matter placed
there with ii tention to intensify the sketch.

The slight depression which api)ears lower down uiion the handle is
intended to be used in drilling, the top of the drill being held vertical
by being inserted in the cavity, while the opposite end maybe intended
for drilling holes, or for fire making.

Another specimen is that at the right, also collectt'd by INIr. Nelson,
tho"'- J at Cape Darby. This si)eciinen, intended for similar service as
..receding, is shaped like the body of a deer with the doe's head at
one end, while the eyes are two blue beads neatly inserted in holes.
Like the prece«ling, some traces of hunting records are retained, tlie
incisions in several places being almost obliterated by long continued
use. At one place a native is represented as directing a gun toward a
reindeer, while in front of the latter are several lines indicating that
another specimen of the same si)ecies was to be engraved, but not
<M)mpleted. Almost beneath tlie hunter is a rectangular figure, to one

liii

838

REPORT OF NATIONAL MU8KIJM, 189r..

': •-

end of wLicli is attiirluMl ti inaninial, which, thoiif^h rehitively Rinall,
appears to rcpii'sciit a boar.

U])on the <»p])osite side of tlie HtHM'iiiien, wliich is browninh yellow
from age, are a iinniber of deliciite lines, some of which clearly por-
tray habiti«tioiis, a tiee, two men, and a slcil^'e with two dofjs.

Alonjf the back of tlic specimen, representinjjf the spine of the ani-
mal iuutated, are two ])arallel lines extending backward toward thv
h)zenge-shaped jterforation ummI for straightening weapons. The per
foration, as in the preceding example, is also cat through at an angle,
though only about lU or 1") degrees variance from tiie line of the longest
diameter. The entire lengtli is 4^^ incrhes.

The middle si)ecimen is from Nnbriuklichugnlnk, ami Wiis secured
by ]\Ir. Nelson. The form is greatly liketl'atol' a common steel car-
riage wrench. It is made of bone, and the four sides of tin; handle

III

Fig. 47.

TOOI, llAil I If' WOI.VEniMO SKIM.

bear longitudinal lines with lateial (tuts, so placed as to resemble
arrowheaded or >-shaped iignres. The typo of deeorjition being one of
the oldest and simplest, will be fcmnd more lully treated sind illustrated
in connection with the subject of decoration and conventionalizing.

The specimen is apparently a very old one, arclneologicjilly, and
shows traces of long continued or rough usage.

Plate 40, fig. 0, shows an ornament for attachment to the cap used
by Aleut hunters, as is shown in plate 53. This specimen was obtained
at Kushunuk. The ornamentation consists of very strongly incised
concentric rings, to the outer one of which are attached two parallel
lines extending diagonally toward the base line, possibly Avith the
intention of tilling the blank triangular space, which would otherwise
remain without markings.

Many of the so-called drill bows in tlie collection of the National

GRAPHIC ART OF THK KHKIM08.

830

ve]y small,

isli yellow
Itijirly por-

r>f tlM! ani-

owaid t\ni

The per

ail angle,

lie longest

18 Heciiied
sfeel ear-
lie handle

fesenible
[ig one of
lustrated

zing,
jlly, and

ip used

Obtained

incised

Iparallel

lith the

lierwise

[ational

Museum are, in reality, handles tor (tarrying toot and other bags. The
I'oint Harrow collection contains four such bags, and as iMr. Murdoch's
description is short and to the point, I can not do better than to <piote
him. He says:

Theau ba^^H aru iihva.vH iiiiido of Hkiii with the liair out, and tlitt Hkins of wolver*
iiK'H' luiadH are tho most doHirtMl Cor tliiH ]mii|»oh(;,' [I'ig. 17. |

rii» bottom of tli*0)a;; is a pioco of siiort-liaired brown duorHkin, with tlio huir
out, piurced acroHH tlio luitidlc. 'lim HJdos and unds ar«^ iniitio of thu HkinH of four
wolverine heudH, witliout tlio lower .jaw, cut off at tiie nape and Hpread out and
sewed to^cllier Hide by Hid() with tlie hair outside and nosi's up. One head conioH to
eaeh end of the hn'^ and each Hide, aud tlie H|)a<;es between tliu uohch are filled «Mit
with K'i**NetH of dcerHkiu and w(dvcrini^ skin. A narrow ntrip of the latter i» Hewed
rouiul the mouth of the ba;;. I'he handle Ih of walrus ivory, 11^ inchen h>n^ and
about one-half inch H(]uare. There is a vertical lude tlirou^h it ouc>half inch from
each end, and at one «uid also a Iraiisvcrst^ hole between this and the tip. One end
of the thoni; which laHteiiH the handle to the ba;; is drawn through this hole ami eut
otVeloHo to the Hiirface. The otiior end is lirou<;litovcr the handle anil <lown through
the vertical hob; and nuidt^ last with two half Htitclies into a hole through the
HO|>tum of the uuHe of the head at one cud of the ba^. The other end of the handle in
fantened to the opposite nose in the same way, but the thon;c ^>* seeured in the hole
by a simple knot in the end above. On one side of the handle Ih an unfinished
incised pattern.

Many of these bag handles are decorated on two, tiiree, or even all four
sides, when they are so fasliioned. altliougli some are convex tibove, as
well as below, leaving but two sides upon which to engrave anything.

Another variety of decorated handles are those used in small bags,
meaning but oiie-(iuarter the si/e of the one above described.

In addition to the incised ornamentation, both decorative and his-
torical or niythologic, many of the small bag handles are carved with
whale Hukcs, bear heads, seal heads, and other objects, as will be
found upon examining various illustrations in the present jiaper.

DKCOKATlUN OK AN'IMAl- CAIiVINtJS.

As in the preceding methods of decorating ornaments, various animal
carvings, ettigies, toys, etc., are also <uiiaiiient«!d, the artistic ell'orts
being directed, in many instances, to heighten the resemblance to the
prototype selected. Thus are atteni[>ted the indication of spots, stripes,
and scales upon animals and tish, tlut results being olten very clever.

IMate 5.'J, tig. 1, shows a specimen which was obtained at Sledge
Island. It is a very ornanientiil handle for packages or bags, to either
end of which is attached a short (iliain. < )iie of these chains terminates
in a seal head. The links were cut from the same piece as the handle!
itself. The separate attachments to which the package is fastened
consist of two small swivels, or jtiiis, perforated below ajid terminating
on toj) in carved seal heads, the ears, eyes, nostrils, an<l mouth of which
are clearly indicated. The ornanieiitation upon the top of the handle
consists of four small characters of the primary form of dectoration

' Ninth Annual Report hureau of Ethnology, 1887-88. 1892, pp. 187, 188, tig. 166.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

■3.2

140

25
22

2.0

1.8

1111.25 1.4 ill 1.6
= — 11111=—

►

emt, *. ■'>

Photograpliic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO

(716) 872-4503

840

■^'

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

previously referred to, tind illustrated in plat« 48, figs. 1 and 2, and plate
31, fig. 2.

Plate 55, lig. 2, is another kantag handle, and was obtained at Norton
Sound. It is very old, measures 6.^ inches in length, and is ornamented
upon the upper surface with two rows of seal heads in relief, each row
consisting of fifteen heads, upon which are indicated the eyes. At
either end are the relief figures of two whales flanking the perforations
through which the cords are passed.

Plate 32, fig. 3, represents two ear pendants. Very quaint ftices are
inclosed by circles from which ])rqiect four small circles or knobs with
central indentations. The eyes, nose, and mouth very much resemble
the face of a seal, the forehead being ornamented by small punctures.
This closely resembles the carved ivory seal faces in fig. 0, in which the
punctures are placed upon the cheeks to indicate the root of the whis-
kers. Above the eyes are markings to denote the eyebrows. In other
respects the faces are very human. These faces resemble to some
extent that shown in fig. 7, although it will be observed that in the
latter the nostrils are very definitely outlined, while beneath the mouth
are two pairs of descending lines to indicate tattoo nmrks.

Plate 56, fig. 2, represents an effigy of a seal. The concentric circles
are ornamented on the outer side with three short radiating lines and a
longer base line in exact imitation of the common flower symbol which
it is undoubtedly intended to represent. The central perforations made
by the central pin of the tool used in making the symbols are closed
with wooden blocks which secure small bunches of bristles. Altogether
the 8i)ecimen is very artistically made.

Plate 56, fig. 3, shows a belt clasp. This represents a seal. Upon
the side cf the body is a large figure of concentric rings, to either side
of which are three small sets. The central one is furthermore orna-
mented with four short radiating lines attached *o the outer ring, while
the small circles are decorated with short radiating lines, the upper one
being represented by pairs, while the bottom line is represented by two
lines; yet the figures appear to be the same as the conventional flower
symbol, which may have been utilized in this instance to ornament the
body of the animal, as in the preceding case.

Plate 26, fig. 3, represents a seal drag from St. Michaels. The thong
is made of rawhide, and the instrument is used for dragging dead seals.
It is made of walrus ivory, and represents two seal heads, the eyes and
nostrils being clearly indicated, not only by perforations, but in one
case the perforations are filled with wooden pegs, and the other the
eyes are filled with beads. Upon the throat of each seal is the ettigy of
a whale, very neatly carved, and partly detached to add to its relief.
The perforation extends through the mouth of the seal at the right
hand, for the admission of a noose or cord. U))on the upper surface of
the drag concentric rings are seen.

Plate 56, fig. 4, represents the ettigy of a seal, and was made to be

and plate

at Norton
nainented
each row
eyes. At
rforations

fiices are
lobs with
resemble
unctures.
i^hich the
the whis.
In other
to some
it in the
le mouth

ic circles
es and a
ol which
nsmade
e closed
iogetlier

Upon
her side
re orna-
gj while
per one
by two
I flower
ent the

i thong
1 seals.
es and
in one
er the
Ifigyof
relief,
right
face of

• to be

. 1

li I

Ifli

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 55.

I'i^. 1. ]\m, lIwni.K WITH Chain 1;m>s.

iClll. N(i.4lti!Pl. r.S. N. M. Slr.l;;.. l^lilliil. (•(.llcilnl l.y K. \V. Nrlsi.ll.)

lifj. •_'. Kantai; IIaxihj:.

(f'iit. Xi>. 'JU:!!, f. S. N. M. Noil DM Si.mi.l. ( •nlliclc d liv L. M.Tiinn-r.)
l'i>:. 15. KAXTA(i IIandik.

(('al.Xi>.44«9i), r. S. N. M. Sl.-.l;;.- IsliiiKl. Ccillci ti-.l l.v K. W". Nrlsoii.)

Report of U S National Museum. 1895. Hoffman

Plate 55.

-I

z
<

'J
<
oa

t-
z
u

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 56.

2
I

1 :> :\

I'ij;. 1. Kl'KKiV OK OlTKIl.

(Ciit.No. :tti4T:. r.S. N. M. KusliKmnik. ( 'nllnl.il liy K.W. Nelson.)

Fig. 2. Kkki<;y ok Skai.,

(Ciil.Nii. r..V.Ki'.>. r.S. X. M. r.ri.slnn \'.»\. (•ollccica l>.v K. 1,. McKiiv.t
Fiji. !'. Fl'KKiY OK OTTKIt.

(Cat. No. MiUii, r..S. N. M. Miiiiviik Ishiiiil. Collt l.d l.y \V. II. Kail.)
Fio. I. IlKKKiY OK SKAI..

((^iit.No, 48ilr.', r.S. N. M. KolzchiM' Soiiml.)
Fiji. •"> KKKKiY OK WAi.itrs.

(Cat. No. T-2!t()4. V. S. X. M. Nasliafjak. Colle.(««l l>.\ K. I-. M.Ka.v.)

R«porl nf U S Nitional MuiPum. 1895. Hoffman

Plate 56.

Ornamented Animal Effigies.

h'l

1 ■ i

<'.]i

w-;'

," ,1

V, J • 1' . r*',.!/:

. ■' JL ' i^ ' - 'Tl . i^ ; ! . ■ >'.> ' ! i ^ {U>!'f-l\mUkii^mjiJlt^ VJ ^^ )V Si SVfll

Report of U S Nttmntl MuMum, liOS.- HoffmaM.

PtATt 67.

57.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 57.

1 :' ;{

iy. 1. I.KriliV Ol' I'l «)l NliKI!.

(•'i,|. Nil. ClT'^li, I'.S, \, M, riiiil.iKlc. I, Cclli'i Inl li.v I'".. \V. N'cImi.ii.j

'in.!'. ('.\iivi:r I'niriM'.s <>i Si.ais,

(CmI. No. :i,"ilMlii. r.S N. M. Aliiiiiiiii IsliiiiiN. CnlliTi.il liy 1 .. \I liinii r

'"iK. H. KriitiY OK Skai..

(('ill. Nci. :;7ril(i 1. S. N. M. I'niili.Ulr.i. (■..Il.ri.a l.v i:. W. N. l>..ii,i

'!>:. I. l>iiA<i IIaxi'I.k is Imiiation uk m.ai..

(('ill. No. ;i:iL'!ij. r.s. \. M. Nurioii SomikI, Cillrci.
'jii.'t. Iti'.r.ciiA.

(Cil. No. ;i:i:i7;i, I. S. N M. Nnrion Smnrd. ('..llrcii

■iii

ti. lli;AVi:ii

(C.ii. No. :i:;:i.')f,. r.s N. M, Nmiimh > 1. (i.ll.cic

in. 7. (iHAVI.INt.

(('ill. No. :n.'i;i.' I' S N. M Nnilon Soiiml, C.illiMl.

"ill. M. I'lsii.

(('ill. No :i:;.').;"i. C, S. N. .M. I'oiiil r.;iiiuu. roll.rir

l.\ i:. \V. N. ■Noll. I

liv !•: W. N..Nnii.i

li\ K. W. N, 1,011 )

li\ !•:. W. N.Isoii

i.\ I. Mill. r. II. \ui\ \.s. A.I

pm^

1*!"

■ !

J 'i

It. ii

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

841

Ki«. 4S.

KIIIIINCJ OK
ITDKNDIM.

used for attachiui:^ cord and for drajjf;"!}? seals. The ornainent.ation
consists of sharply marked nucleate<l cin-les. The specimen is from
Kot/ebue Sound, and is considerably ruder aixl less artistic than the
other specimens in this series.

In plate 50, fig. 5, is reproduced the ettigy of a walrus. The speci-
men was obtained at Nashagak by Mr. E. L. ^bKay. As iit tigs.^and
.'i, the body is ornamented with concentric rin;;s, to the outer of each
of which are radiating lines, almost like the conventional flower symbol,
and possibly intended for the same. Kxtending hori/.<Mitally between
these "circle nuirkings" are rows of small perforations, <u<lrilled Ixdes,
simply to serve as ornaments. The peculiar marking upon the top of
the head, which no doubt is intended to represent the wrinkles orf(»lds
of the skin, is also the rude symbol of the fennile genitals as drawn by
the Eskimo, and of whi<'h one single instance is found in the collec-
tions of the National Museum, ami is reproduced in fig. 4S.

Plate 41, fig. 1, is an ivory we«lge used for splitting wal-
rus hide. The tool is made in imitation of an otter, the
back and eyes having incased nucleated rings, with radii,
which are connected by lines. The back bears, within the
parallel space, some herringbone patterns similar to those
on the figures shown on the same plate (41), figs. .{ and 4.

Plate r)4, fig. 1, represents a carving of an otter. The arti-
cle served as an (unament, but for what special i)urpose is
not known. As will be noted by reference to the illustration, the back
from the neck to the base of the tail bears a deep iiu-ision, through
which were made several perforations for attaching it by nu'ans of
cords to some other object. Within the concentric circles are blue
glass beads which have been in.serted in the perforations left by the
tool used in making the rings. The eyes are also provided with srnall
glass beads. All the lines and markings have been filled in with some
black coloring matter.

Plate 57, fig. 0, rei)resents a beaver, upon whose back is the outline
of a snuiller beaver. Over the whole are ornamental lines crossing one
another at right angles.

Comi)arison nuiy be made with an efiigy of a seal, upon whose back,
transversely and in relief, is a young one; both parent and young being
deccHated, the former with concentric rings.

Plate 2(), fig. 2, represents a bag hancUc from tiie Lower Yukon.
The specimen is almost semicircular, and nieasures 1> inches across from
point to point, and 4 inches in height. The upper or convex side lias
high relief carvings representing bears' heads, niiu^ in number, the
eyes and nostrils being pronounced perforations, while upon the fore-
lu>ad of each is a sharply defined cross. Along the upper edge, corre-
sponding to the necks of the bears, are the deeply cut figures of six
bears, and continued around to tlie inside of the handle, and con-
nected witli the necks of three of the bears, are the figures of trees.

842

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

^'.\'><

Immediately below tbe bears' beads are tbe figures of seventeen seals,
to tbe back of eacb of wbicb is a diagonal line to represent a harpoon,
while transversely to the latter is shown the cord. These resemble a
general attempt at ornamentation, tbe uniformity of drawing appear-
ing to substantiate this belief.

Plate 57 represents a number of figures of animals and fish, all of
them toys, with the exception of fig. 4, whicb is a drag handle. Fig. 1
represents a fiounder, and is ornamented with delicate incisions and
radiating lines for fins. Fig. 2 shows an ivory carving representing
seals and ornamented with delicate jtunctures and incised lines. Fig. 3
is an effigy of a seal with the head portion plain while the back is
ornamented with triangular murks as if made with single incisions of
a three-cornered graver. Fig. 4, already referred to, represents a seal,
the orniimentation consisting of curved parallel lines within which are
short diagonal lines extending from each parallel lino toward the other.

Plate 57, fig. 5, represents the beluga, with very rude markings upon
the back.

The Kantag or bag handle shown in plate 58, fig. 3, is in imitation of a
beluga whale, while the back of the neck also bears a rude outline of
such a mammal. The shoulder bears a transverse bar within whicb is
a meandering line extending from side to side of the animal ; behind
this are the figures of four "killer" whales, while near the rear end of
the figure itself is the upper part of a bowhead whale shown with
water spouting.

Plate 55, fig. 3, represents a kantag handle from Sledge Island. The
decoration consists of figures of four right whales carved transversely,
two at either end. From the ends of the handle are suspended, in the
shape of links, other whales, while upon the middle of the handle are
engraved delicate outlines of two whales facing eacb other.

Plate 41, fig. 6, represents a bodkin, the point consisting of part of
a three-cornered file while the other end terminates in a short chain.
The last link represents a fish tail and is ornamented with nucleated
circles, while the handle of the instrument bears a series of nucleated
rings with short radiating lines, representing the fiower symbol, as in
plate 15, fig. 4, thouf;h larger.

Plate 57, fig. 7, represents a grayling, though in reality the shape
and pronounced decoration of the upper half of the body represents
more nearly the salmon. It will be noticed that the median line is
ornamented with other lateral incisions in imitation of the "fish trap"
pattern, while the fins are very pronounced and consist of shar])ly
mtfrl.cd serrations, resembling one half of the preceding pattern.

Plate 57, fig. 8, represents a fish, the dorsal markings consisting of
hatched lines. This probably represents a salmon.

:eeii seals,
k IiarpooD,
esemble a
? appear-

ish, all of
3. Fig. 1
10118 and
[•eseiiting:
8. Fig. 3
back is
•isions of
ts a seal,
iiieh are
lie other.
igs upon

tion of a
Jtline of
ivliich is
behind
I' end of
m with

1. The
tersely,
, in the
die are

part of

chain.

Jleated

ileated

I, as in

shape
esents
line is
trap"
iarj)Iy

ng of

I i 1
1 1

•p

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 58.

1
2

3
4
5

Vig. 1. HtNTixc Kkcorp.

((Jat. No. 8!)4(<7, r. S. X. M. I'oiiit Karrow . C<»ll«'(tra li.v Kitiil. V. 11. Kay, V. S. A.)
Fig, 2. Kanta«i Haxih.e.

(Cul.Xo. 4;Ji>:ifi, U. S.X.M. '■Niilmiiiklu-lmpiluk." (Jollt'ctcd l.y K. W. Nelson.)

V'lff. 3. Kaniaij Handle.

((.'at. No. jyg'.'O. r. S. N. M. rnalaklcet. CoiU'ctfa liy E. W. Nilson.)
Fig. 4. Kantag Handle.

(Cat. No.244'.'9. r.S. \. M. St. Micliael.s. Coll.ctcfn.y I.. M. Tuniir.)
Fig. 5, IJoNE IJ(>.\.

(Cat. No. 129221, r. S. N. M . St. MUliael.s. (JolU'cttKl liy L. M. Tiiriiei.)

1 ,

■' 1

1, J

imMm

Report of U S Nations Museum, 1895 Hoffman.

Plate 58.

hi , i

Decorated Utensils.

ni !

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

PICTOGRAPHS OF DOMESTIC AVOCATIONS.

843

Fin- 49.

The greater number of the records appear to come under this general
caption, tojjether with whi«rh some hunting scenes are inchided. The
various forms of habitations used by the I'^skimo are also here referre<l
to, rather than in the i>revious chapters in connection with the j^eo-
grajdiic h>cation and environment of the several subtribes or settle-
ments, because comparisons nniy here be made between the forms or
outlin«'S of houses, sled;ies, and ])ossibly also canoes, to show the
degree of fidelity of reproduction of specific ]>e<'uliarities of either of
the last named.

HAlllTATIONS AND CONVKVANilK.

In his referenc*' to the dwellings of the Eskimo generally, Mr.
Petrotf ' speaks of the winter an«l summer habitations as being (piite
distinct from one another. The former being underground to a cer-
tain extent, having a mound-shaped appear-
ance with a ridge projecting for some distance,
beneath which is the entrance, is closely imi-
tated in the pictographs by the natives. The
smoke holes are in the top of the dome, or near
the center, for the escape of the smoke. The
common houses, on the other hand, are inclosed
above ground, and jtartake of the nature of ;i
log structure coven'd with skins, find s<mie
times of an ordinary tent-shaped shelter. The fire is built not within
the tent, but before the entrance. Tliis feature is also carefully observed
in the etchings made by the native artist, and numerous exaniples are
given in illustration thereof.

A larger building, known as the kashqa, is found in almost every
village, built after the pattern of the winter habitation. A raised
platfornx runs all around the interior for seating the visitors, and on
some of the larger kashqas several such tiers have been observed.
These structures are generally used for <eremonial observances. An
illustration of the ground pl.ai of such an inch)8ure, made by a native,
is reproduced in lig. 49.

In tig. 49 is the outline of a dwelling leproduced from plate 81,
which constitutes a Chuckche '• year record." Tiie original was obtained
by Baron Nordenskiold in Siberia, and is now in the possession of a
gentleman in England. The pictographs were drawn upon a piece of
walrus hide.

In the interior, at the left, is shown the ridge intended for seats or
sleeping places. The o(!cupant seated upon it api)ears to be gesticu-
lating and in conversation with his companions.

A similar drawing in fig. 50 shows this seat also. This sketch is

KWBI.l

NU KliOM ClinKfllK. YEAR
HE<<>11I).

' Teuth Census of tli« Inited States, VIII, p.l28.

844

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

UTO

1' . i_ _

' ' ' '■ i/

!;■■;( ; ■"■

1 '

'' '■ ■'■',

Vi!{. 60.

WINlKIl IIAII1TATU)N, WlIU WOOD CIIOITKIt AT WOltK.

from u piiiu fruin Norton Suiiiid. A druiiiiner occupies the Heat, while
his roiiipsinions are diinciiig.

On th(^ ontHJde is hIiowii one niua at work clioppintr wood, wliile two
of Ilia <*oinpaiiionH are indicated hh brin^^ing in a itiece of timber tor

Hplitting.
This structure is al
^ most a connterjiart of

r ~^ ^ the specimen on the

^^~~' ^ ^ (Jliuckche chart from

Siberia.

In 11};. />l are repre-
sented two forms, almost identical, of structures made for white men,
to serve as trading establishments as well as sleeping (juarters. The
outline in some i)ictographs of traders jmssesses one more nearly like a
one-story log house.

On one of the ivory bodkins shown in ])late 2-4, tig. .">, the triangular
figures with diagonal projecting lines on either side near the top are
outlines of summer habitations, the utilization of which for apparently
purely decorsitive i)ur])()ses being ]>robably i)romi»ted by the regular and
angular forms, straight lines being preferable and more desirable for
such ornamental engraving, as curved lines are foreign to the i>rinutive
straight-line system, largely attributable to the kind of instruments
available and the generally ditli(!ult nature of the substance to be
worked or engraved.

In plate 59, lig. 4, is another and ruder form of indicating the same
style of summer habitation, the variants in plate 50, tig. li, being also
more explanatory in detail, and of interest as indicating a departure
in engraving from the original type of a tent shelter, the light lines
diverging from near the top denoting the poles, over which some skins
or importe*! fabrics have been thrown.

In plate <»() aic a number of illustrations of native pursuits. In the
fifth line, or No. 5, are shown son>e delicately engraved figures.

Nos. 1, .*{, 5, 7, 1), lb, and 12 represent habitations of several kinds, of
each of which the village is composed. The occupant at the entrance
to No. 1 is employed in susi)eiMling from a ]K)le — to the left of the house
No. .{ — some meat, probably fish. Festoons of the same kind of food,
for the purpose of drying, are sus-
pended from the food racks shown in
Nos. 1, r>, an<l S antl on the horizontal
pole resting on the roofs of the two
houses at Nos. and 10. A granary
is also in<licated in No. S, the stair-
way beneath being plainly shown. The occupants of the houses Nos.
and 10 are also occupied with domestic duties. Fig. U represents
the boat, idaccd upon a rack so as to dry the skin covering.

The summer habitation (No. 12) has an open door at one side, and to

id.

Fig. SI.

WHITE MEN'S DWELUNHS.

t, while

liilc two
iIht for

'o is ul
•puit <>f
on th(;
t from

I repre-
to men,
?. The
{ like a

ngnlar
o]) are
irently
lar and
ble for
mitive
iments
to be

: same
g also
iirtiire
!; lines
skins

tn the

ids, of
ranee
honse
food,

Noa,
sents

id to

11 '

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 59.

.,■■:'

i ^ ' \

1 . i ■'

lii

Iv'^

Fiii. \. iM.'M.i, How.

il'iil. Nil. i;i'.i:il». r.S. N. M. Niilniiikli. < (ill. ■(•till l.y !•:. \V. N.lsi.ii.)

I'i-i. 1'. I»i!ii.i, Hiiw.

(Cat. Nil. i;i;ifi(l. r. S. N. M. rain- I'litur nl' Walf.-. Cnilritiil \<\ K. \V . \il.-inii )

rijj. :•. lUMi.i, How.

(Cat. No.:!:tl8r., C.S.N.M Norton Soiiml. Ciilltctiil liy F..W. NiNmi.)
1 lU'. I. iMill.l. Mow.

(Cat.No. ;!;il87, r.S. N. M. Niiitoii Soniiil. Cullfilril liy K. W. Nelson.)

Rtpoft of U. S NatiM' .) MusHum, IBiS M..Hm.in

Plate 59.

O
CO

a:
Q

z
o

o
o

Report of U. S. Nktional Muieum, 1895.— Hoffman.

ffl^^^/zi < III ^ Ml t a ^ I ^ I

Kij

..^^a^»\ A[Hlj^Mi^7Hr^'S]^^#°H^ Ai^

1 S34567 8 9

10 11 13 la

anter:;^^,

.,^mii ^^_f::C ^ /g':^^'^^^^^"

';f!^-^a^>^

A ^-L^

*nn^.m^ft.^i^rtc:^ip^w.,.A:j&'U

1 S 3 4 5 7 8

Records of Domestic Avoc

Plate 60.

J I.

♦ I * » i^ M ♦ i I rr^

kdAdikilA^

^^ffgfLA^ii-Hikll -iiiiH-'ii'i'ftmm-nrTi

10 11 12 18 14 16 16 17 18 19 SO 21 2S 23 24 >»

^f^fe'r!!!^A.»w<^^ ..^.^i^^^ M^^^^4^

10 11 13

14 15

';^^vwJ^^4>Mh1-^^w^ IfftiAlfMH h

ift n

12 13

f^W-^:v

ji>-

11 t»

)RDS OF Domestic Avocations.

14 15 16

i.,.;

'^'i

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

845

the right is se<ate(l one of the Iiousehohl (No. 13) eiii|ih>yed in Mtirring
some food in a ketth*. The smoke (No. 11) is rising; to u consideruble
height, and another pot or kettle is seen to the right. The native
shown in No. 1~» is greatly excited, having both hands, with ext«'iid('d
fingers, thrown ui)ward, the cause being seen in an old man drag-
ging ashore a walrus, which is being harpiNUied by No. 17. The (d«l
age of the native (No. 1<») is indicated by his walking with a staff, this
method of portraying an old ])ersou being common in many portions
of the world, the Kgyi>tian hieroglyphs abounding in chariicters
almost identical to the one here shown. Tin* walrus (No. lU) is also
shown as having been captured, the native in No- L*l having con
siderable dilVu'ulty in dragging it ashore, as he is d<iwn on one knee
tugging at the harpoon line, while a companion is obscrv»'<l near him
(No. 22), aiding him.

Fig. 20 is the outline of a doe, which was als«> secured. No. L'.'i denotes
a dog, while Nos. 21 aiul 25 indicate two other Uiitives.

An excellent illustration of the different methods of portraying canoes
and houses is given in platen <50, seventh line, the whole scene denoting
a native village situated n«'ar the water. Upon the canoe (No. 21) is a
^^shanuin stick," or votive offering, erected to the menmry of the one
who «)wned the scaffold, and perhaps canoe as well. Another offering
of similai- purport is erected upon the roof of the Ikuisc No. H». Om*
showing the same fan-like top will be found in conne(;tion with mortuary
customs.

At No. 4: the native is putting away sonu'thing resend)ling a pole,
while at No. C the two men seem to be engaged in <*onversation con
cerning the canoe, the one nearest to it having his right hand pointing
towanl or touching it.

The winter habitations, with their entrances, are jjortrayed in a
manner different from the usual (uistoin. The entrance is very pro-
jecting, and apparently overhanging.

Smoke is seen issuing from the ai)ex, chimney, or funnel c«»ntaining
asmoke hole,on the house No. 12. A food scaffold, known bythe vertical
poles projecting considerably above the transverse ]>ody, is shown in
No. 13, while beyond is what appears to be anotlier seaHWId. The
erosion to which thQ ivory has been subjected has obliterated all other
parts of the figure.

A very comnnm figure is that resembling an oblong box jilaeed upon
upright poles, in reality a scaffold, upon which is built a storehouse for
the protection against noxious animals. These figures are usually
placed near the reju'esentatiou of the dome shaped winter habitation,
as each family has such a storehouse.

Other scaffold-like structures also occur, and IVeciuently the kaiak or
umiak, placed upon the scaffold for drying, may be mistaken tor one of
these, which, in reality, are the resting ]>lace of some human body.
This practice is not common everywhere, however.

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846

REPORT OV NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Ill some ethnogi'iiphic " Meinornnda ('oncerning the anrtic Eskimos in
Alaska and Siberia," by Mr. rlolin W. Kelly,' an interpreter, says:

The EMkimo ooiiieakH (open boats) have a frainowork of spruce covered with split
walrii8 hides, sea-lion skiiiH, or white ;j;raiiii)iis skins. Tlie latter is not used if sea-
lion or walrus skins are obtainable, as it is rather thin. The Bering Strait and north-
coast boats are generally 21 feet long with 5 feet beam, and have a carrying capacity
of 15 persons and 500 pounds of freight.

Those of the Kotzebne Souu«l average about ;{"• feet in length and (i feet in width.
They have a carrying capacity of 20 ]>crsons and 1,000 pounds of freigiit, or 3,000
pounds of merchandise and a < lew of (J men. There are exceptional boats built on
the sound that are as niuch as 42 feet over all. In crossing Kot/ebue Sound or
Bering Strait the natives sew on bulwarks of sea-lion skins a foot high to keep the
water from dashing in.

Mr. Ivan Petrott','^ who spent a number of years in various portions
of Alaska, in an oilicial capacity, says of the vessels of the Eskimo:

All the Eskimo tribes, without exception, manufacture an«l use the skin canoe
known as the kaiak, identical with that of the eastern or (ireeuland Eskimo; and
this feature is so distinctive and exclusive that a tribal name might justly be based
upon it should the necessity arise for another. At i)re8ent I know of only one
instance where an intermixture of the inuuit witli arothcr tribe has taken place

■«se^2£i-:5a

Fiji. 52.

MODEL KAIAK AXI» DOITIII.B I'ADDI,!'., I'DINT KAHROW.

nnder such circumstances that the foreign element has gained the npi)er hand, and
there they have already abandoned the manufacture of the kaiak and apparently
forgotten the art of its constriution. I refer to the Oughalakhmute, who have
mixed with the Thlinket. The open skin boat, the owwudA, or woman's boat, also
known aa hidar, is used by certain tribes on the north coast of Asia; but the kaiak
jiroper is only foTind among the Eskimo.

When the Russians lirst oltscrved this cratt, they applied to it the name of bidarkii,
a diminutive of bidar, a Kamchatkan term for an open skin boat. This term is now
used throughout Alaska wherever Russian intluenee once predominated, aiul the
same word has been incorporated into several Eskimo dialects in the form of hidaH,
which is, however, applied only to two and three ii.iteh kaiaks — a variety formerly
known only on the Aleutian Islands, and ado)>tcil by the Russians for greater con-
venience in hunting and traveling. From Bristol Bay westward and northward the
kaiak and ooniiak only are used.

The accompanying illustration serves to show the general form of the
kaiak, so often figured by the natives in their hunting record. '

Although flg. 52 is from the most northern portion of Alaska, the
generic tyi)e of construction is practically the same among all the

' Bureau of Education, Circular of Information No. 2, 18JH), Washington, 18JM), p. 27.
-Tenth Census of the United States, VIII, 1884 (Alaska, etc.), pji. 124, 12.').
'Ninth Annual Report Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-88. 1892, tig. 341, p. 224.

.. 27.

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

847

Eskimo. The double psuldle is so often used in i)ortraying signals on
ivory that its representation liere will be of interest in showing how
a(;curately the native artist portrays even the taj>ering form of the
blades.

Fig. 5:t.

KAIAK.

Kig. 54.

KAIAK.'*.

On plate 27 i.s shown an illustration of a native kaiak model.

Several forms of the native i)<)rtriiyal of kiiiaks are shown in flgs. 53
and r>4. Tho first is a simi)le outline and ineonii)lete, and an occupant
was evidently intended to be ])ortrayed, as all the remaining portion of
the record from which it was selected was comjdetc in every detail. The
two illustrations in iig. .■)4 are less accurate in outline, the latter being
a simple group of scratches.

The s])ccimcn shown in tig. 55 is very accurately drawn, the harpoon
and seal float being shown upon the kaiak immediately behind the
hunters.

The representation of large boats tised for traveling, hunting, and
fishing, for the propulsion of which boat oars and sails may be used, is of
such frequent occurrence in the records of the Eskimo,
that a reference to the vessel and its actual appearance
is deemed ajjpropriate.

This large skin-covered open boat is in general use
by the natives of Crrecnland and Alaska, as well as by
the Aleuts and some Siberian tribes. The vessel is designated as the
umiak, by the Point Barrow natives, and some of the Aigaluxaraiut, of
the southern coast, have used this name as well as the term baidarka.

Fig. 5(5 represents a model of an umiak from Utkiavwin, U. S. N. M.,
No. 565(53,' and seems to illustrate the general form so closely followed
in the engravings by native artists. The natives sit with the face
toward the bow, using the paddle and not an oar. The women are

j^S^sss^

Fig. 55.

KAIAK.

Fig. .^0.

MUDKI. or C.MIAK.

said by Egede, in his "(Treenland" (p. Ill), to sit with the face toward
the stern, "rowing with long oars." Mr. Murdoch^ remarks with refer-
ence to this that "though the women do a great share of the work of

' From the Ninth Annual Report Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-88, 1892, Iig. 34.')', p. 340.
' Idem, p. 335.

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848

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

FiK. 57.

UMIAK.

navigating the boat when a Hiiigle family or a srna]! party is making a
journey, it is by no means considered a woman's boat, as appears to be
the case among the Greeidanders and tlie eastern Eskimo generally.
On the contrary, women are not admitted into the regularly organized
whaling crews, unless tln^ umialik can not procure men enough, and in
the 'scratch' crews assembled for walrus hunting or sealing there are

usually at least as many men
as women, and the men work as
hard as the women."

This is mentioned to e.xplain
the reason why the female fig-
ure is absentin records of hunt-
ing and fishing trips, although present in other scenes, such as domestic
and i)robably ceremonial rej'ords.

Plate 28 represents an illustration of a native model from Alaska.

A native drawing of the umiak with four hunters is shown in tig. 57.
The lines are heavily incised, and blackened. The men are without
paddles, which may have been an oversight on the part of the artist.
The spear or harpoon rest is also shown, as well
as the weapon itself.

A lesscarefully drawn illustration of an umiak ^^^
is shown in lig. 58. The three occupants are
without paddles. Still ruder form is shown in
fig. 51), where an attempt at throwing a harpoon at a whale is also shown.

In tig. iH) is rei>roduced a still ruder drawing of an umiak, no hunter
being shown, yet the record in which this vessel occurs is of a class,
or in that condition of completeness, that vshould also have present the
occupant.

A better illustration of an umiak, containing tive people, is shown in
fig. (II. The lines are lightly incised.

A neatly executed sketch of an umiak is illustrated in tig. Oli. The
bow is longer than usual, and also projects from the water.

■AIL

Fiji. 5H.

UMIAK.

"g^m^

}-^iiLV5^^<^VK

Fig. 69.
UMIAK^PrilsUINci WIIAI.K.

Two varieties
of sledges are
portrayed in pic-
togra])hs made
by the Eskimo,
oneof them being
the railed sledge

(fig. 0;5), used for carrying loads of articles belonging to camp equipage,
etc., while the othei- pertains to a low Hat sledge, without rails (fig. 64),'
and used for (sarryiug bulky objects, such as game, frozen seals, and, as
Mr. Murdoch infornis us, for transporting the umiak across the land or
solid ice. lioth are made without nails, the ditfereutparts being mortised
together and lashed securely with stitches of thong and whalebone.

'Niuth Auuuiil lioport of Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-88, 1892, p. 353.

im:~

>\vn in

The

trietie.s
(8 are
ill pic-
made
skiino,

beiiiK

Isledjie

]ipage,

J. 64),'

Lnd, as

liiul or

kitised

[ue.

GRAPHIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

S49

Fin. 60.

IVMIAK.

The runners are made to slide easily by fitting to them .shoes of clear
ice as long as the runners themselves, " fully 1 foot high by (» inches
thick. The sledge, with these ice runners, is estinnited to weigh, even
wlien unloaded, upward of 200 or 30(» p:)unds; but it appears that the
smoothness of running more than counterbalances the extra w«'ight.'"

The Hat sledgi' is used also for ordinary travel as well as freight, and
an illustration of one with ivory runners
is shown in tig. 05.

The ditterence between these varieties
are ofteu very neatly portrayed, as well
as other accessories pertaining tliereto.

Dot'tor Dall furnishes several illustra-
tions of sledges,'' one from Norton Hound being like the railed sledge oi
Point Barrow. Some ditterence, however, is sipparent, and this may
naturally influence the portrayal of the vehicle in engravings on ivory.
The same author also furnishes the illustration of a Hudson Bay sledge
in which the runners are absent, the entire base consisting of birch
boards, three of which are laid side by side and secured, and about 12
feet long. These are cut thin at one end and turned over like a tobog-
gan, held down with rawhide, and inside
the curve, says J)octor Dall, the voyageur
— carries his kettle.

The railed sledge of the Yukon is scnne-
what dift'erent from the two forms already
mentioned, the upper rail rising from the front toward the back, and
resembling very much a native sketch of a dog sledge, as shown in fig. 00.
The hunter seems to be seated upon the 8le<lge, seeming to iiidiciite that
he has no other loads and that the rear projection on the sledge is the
high framework shown in the Yukon type.

In fig. 07 is a native reproduction of a dog sledge made somewhat
after the type of the Point Barrow type,
though no such drawings have been found
in Point Barrow records. The men are both
energetically working to aid the dog in mov-
ing the sledge, which seems loaded. The
dog is well portrayed, the ragged outline no doubt being intended to
denote the shaggy coat of hair.

In his reference to the Eskimo of Melville Peninsula, Captain Parry
says :•'

The distance to which these people extend their inland inunigr.ation8 and the
extent of coast of which they possess a personal knowledge are really very remark-
able. Of these we could at the time of our first intercourse form no correct judgment,
from our uncertainty as to the length of what they call a seenik (sleep), or one day's

^^ i ^^ -

Fig. 01.

UMIAK.

Fig. 02.

UMIAK.

•Ninth Annual Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-88, 1892, p. 354.
^Alaska and its Resources, Boston. 1870, p. 421.
3 Journal of a Voyage, etc., etc., London: 1821, p. 165.
NAT MUS 95 54

850

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

journey, by which alone they couM descriho to us, with th»! help of their imperfect
aritlimetic, the UiHtance from one ])ht('u to aiiotlier. lint our Hnlmfi|uciit knowledge
of thu coast haH dearod up ninth of tills dinicuHy, alfordini; th*^ invuns of applying
to their hytlrograpliic-al sketches u tolerably accuiatu seulo for thost; parts which we
have not hitherto visited.

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Fig. fin.

IIAII.KIl SI.KIIlil;. r'CiINT IIAlillOW.

In the following,' (lescription tents, liiilutntions, iiiul boats are illus-
trated, as also some doniestie avocations, as might be expecte*! in the
representation of village life.

Quite an interesting result is produced in plate 00, fig. <», or sixth line,
the drawing repiesenting the outlines of the houses so that tlie inte-
rior, with the occupants variously engaged, is exposed to view.

Fig. 64.

FI,AT SLEIKli:. I'OINI' IJAHnOW.

The end of the record at No. 1 denotes a partial turn, indicating the
intention of the owner of the record to at sonu^ future time continue
the pictographs in that direction to the next face of the drill bow. No.
1 is on or at his enjpty storehouse, the framework only being drawn.

Fig. 65,

SMAT.I. 8I.KD0E WITH IVOIiY UrNNEHS. POINT BAHKOW.

No. 2 is a rack, with food or goods on toj), while at No. 3 is the first
house of the village — the latter being indicated by the several habita-
tions. One of the oc(rupants is seated npon an elevated ledge or seat,
while another is seated on the floor before it; the other inmates are

GRAPHIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

851

'IJ

first
tbita-
se.at,
8 are

Fiii- M.

KI.KIMtK.

either seated or inoviiij; about as indicafed. (Tpon the roof is a votive
ottering;, a bird shaped "shaiiiaii stick," the import of which is else-
where described in detail. Still iii(»re of the family are seen at the
entrance to the house, one person within, while two are upon the roof.
In the storehouse, or rather beneath the ^oods, No. .">, is visible a doj;
tij^ht, the anintals bein^ drawn in the attitude of springing at one
another; at the rijjht is the owner occupied
in renjoviufjf some article from the scattbhl.

In the habitation No. 6, with its entrance
No. 7. are a number of persona in various atti-
tudes. One is reclining upon the elevated
shelf used for both seat and bed; while upon t\w tloor are three seated
at a tabk», those behind it beinj; represented or partly hidden, the upi>er
parts of their bodies only rising above the boanl. A nr.inber of other
individuals are shown o(!cupied in other ways. The scaffold at No. 8
supporting the gootls, as usually represente<l, has also a horizontal pole
for drying meat, several ]>ie<!es thereof being designated, while two
persons beneiith seem to be touching hands or liiinding some article.

The habitation No. i), and its entrance No. 10, also indicates a num
ber of the inmates. One in particular is making gestures to another;
between the two there is an object resembling a person as if wrapped
in a blanket. Smoke is seen issuing from the sm(»ke hole, while above
it is what may be here intended the evil spirit of a dead person return-
ing to take possession of a sick one.

The l^skimo generally believe in the return of the soul of the d«'ad,
and espe<!ially does the disembodied spirit hover around the house ot
the dead for three days, in the endeav<u' to return and to jmssess itself
of a living body. In the purpose of guanling against tliis evil, the
inmates make certain shamanistic preparaticms, pi'ompted by the local
shaman. The smoke issuing from the mouth of the smoke hole leaves
open the way for the return of the evil spirit and his companion spirit,
seen api)r(Kiching from above the house.

No. 11 represents a scallbld for the storage of food, and a man is
seen in the act of reaching toward the black spot denoting reindeer or

venison liouse, as the sliape indicates.

> , _ % ^^^iSriliP^m ^^' ^'-^ '** another interesting in-

iL ^Wy** ^>^^ s^n terior, one native being seated upon
„. „ the ledge while a vessel is seen near

Fiji. 07. "

j^,g„„g his feet. Another man is reaching

toward something near the ceiling,
while the rest of the occupants of the room are seated, one of them
reaching up toward the standing tigure as in the act of asking for, or
supplication. Smoke is issuing from the smoke hole, while some one is
occupied near the fire beneath it. A ladder is placed against the out
side of the entrance to the house, and a man is seen part way up near
another person who seems to be occupied in gesture and conversation.

852

UKl'OUT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

FiR. 68.

MKNI>IN<I NKT.

Aiiotlior man is Hecii carrying a Hnowshoe-like object, probably of rein-
deer or deer, to the siinnnit of the house roof to dry. The pole, with
(irosHplece, situated near the head of the ladder, is a votive ofiering
erected there by one of the inmates.

No. \'.\ is a sledj^e, upon which is seated the driver usin^; his whip.
Thedo};- is iir^ed forward, and another native, one of the three. No. 14,
who had been off trading for skins, is hailing a boat seen coming to

tiie shorts with the gunwale ]iarallel therewith, pre
1^^ ^ f senting another good in.stance of foreshortening of

^liMiUiHtfanMiB the object. The nnin behind the sledge is walking

along with his stati' elevated. The inverted Hgure
above seems to belong to a series attempted on
that side of the panel of the bow drill, as another tigure, having no
apparent connection with the completed record, occurs :ilso at a point
over the three wading boatmen following the baidarka, No. HI, which
is being pushed ashore. No. 17 is also in shallow water and appears to
start away as the oarsmen are seated within with their ari.us extended
grasping the ])addle.

An interesting and cleverly drawn native sket<;h of a man mending
a sein(5 net is shown in tig. <kS. The attitude is lifelike, while in one
hand is jmrtrayed a short liite denoting the shuttle.

A man splitting wood is shown in the accompanying illustration,
lig. (»!>. lie has a heavy mallet or some other like utensil raised above
his head, and in the act of driving wedges to split a piece of wood.

Plate .')!>, lig. t, represents an old stained specimen of ivory from
Ncuton Sound. The engravings upon this are rather deep, and are
tilled with deep brown coloring matter. The semiitircular objects to
the right of the middle, some being shown in rather an angular form
towaid the left of the middle, represent habitations. These characters
appear in a more conventionalized form and for decorative purposes in
plate L'4, tig. it.

The chief inteiest attached to this record is in the variety of forms
of habitations, thus enabling one to perceive the ditt'erences in the
variants placed in consc^cutive order. The two
extremes are very uidike, and would scaniely be
recognized as portraying a similar idea, but for the
intervening examples showing the evolution in the
execution of form.

The two elongated tigures to the right of the habi-
tations denote inverted kaiaks upon racks for drying. The human fig-
ures, one of whom is shown seated, represent natives supplicating a
shaman for aid. The figure; has both arms extended, as in making the
gesture for sui)plication, while the shaman, standing at the left. Las his
arms and hands uplifted, as in the gesture illustrated in several figures
relating to shamauistic ceremonials, termed by the natives as " agitating

Fig. 69.

SI'LITTINO WOOD.

GRAPHIC AKT OF TlIK KSKIM08.

«r)3

tlie air" in order to call to liini liis tutelary );imnliaii, who Ih to aiil tlio
Hliainan in hiiccohk, in order to comply with the r(M|u«>st uuuh^ of liiin.

Within the (lomeshapeil habitation neatest the shaman is an acMrom-
paniment of tambonrine drunimin^s while two asMistantM are also
enp;a^e<l in invo(;ation.

To the ri^ht of tlie snppliirant is a repetition of his own form, indi-
eatin}; his har)>ooiiin^ a seal or other animal, while still further toward
the end of the rod is iin unfinished li^ureof a man in a kaiak — pntbably
the su|)plicant in another exploit nnide possible through the shunuin's
asHistance.

Turninjf the bow around so as to luiufj^ the j-onvexity l»en<nith, therei
a])pearH at the left a linear outline of some undetermined animal, near
to whieli is an umiak containinjjc three nien. They are approachin;^ a
settlement indi(;ated by tw(» forms of habitations, a dome slui]u-d or
permanent one and a triaii;;ular or temporary shelter, the two d<Miot
ing both kinds eonstitnting the villa<;e.

Two racks are visible, a sinj-le tme from which are sns])ended numer-
ous stands of meat or tisii, and a double one, similarly tilled with food.
Tlie rude outliiu^ of a native at the rijjlit is nearest to a boat lyinj; upon
its side, beyond which are the outlines of four waterfowl.

Home whales are next portrayed. The one w ith the tlukes above the
water, and the spray thrown or foiced from the spout boles, appears to
have thrown from the water the vessel containiu}; foui' natives. Their
vessel is curved, making a slight arch, and the exposed end seems
broken open.

The whale beyond this is harpooned by a native in a kaiak; the
intlated float is still u])on the kaiak behind liim, indicating that not
much line has run out, as the whale, also, is beaded toward the hunter.

The whale to the right of the preceding <'hara<tei' has the tail up in
the air, while some water is indicated as issuing from the spout hole.
In front of this is an umiak with four hunters making for a herd of wal-
ruses on and about a ledge of rocks.

The rocks are iiulicated by the short nuukings between the two ])ar-
allel lines denoting them, tiie markings consisting of the pattern
frequently mentioned herein as tish trap, and of which numerous illus
trations are given, as on plate .'U, tig. 2, and i)late 'Mi, fig. li, and on the
accomi)anying plate oO, fig. ,'{. This indication of rock is of interest in
its differentiation from ice, as a solid mass, the latter being drawn only to
show its outline as a ffoe, the interior i>art of the space being left biaidv
to denote its colorless or transparent condition. On the same ])late,
jdate M, in fig. 2, is shown a floe upon which seals are taking refuge.

The speaker, or rather he of whom the record tresits, in plate (JO, fig.
8, is represented at No. 1. llis right hand is elevated as when used in
gesticulating, wliilehis left points down toward the foot of thescaftbld
upon which is a repository for foo<l. The two scaffolds at No. 2 no

^li

III

854

RKPOUT OF NATfONAI. MIISKTM, IH!).'..

(loiibt Im'Ioii;; to liiiii, aiid form pait of the vilhi;;*' iiulicated by the
Hcvi'ral liabitatioiiM aii<l stotclioiiscs.

No. 3 is a <loiiu> sliapcd wiiitci- liabitatioii, about which two people aiu
occupied. N<>. I is aiiotlici' yraiiaiy or I'ood repository, while No. 5
represents a se»;oml iiouse upon wliicli two jtcophi are talliiuf; very
animatedly. Tiu^ one at tlie ri^^ht s(>eniH to Uv. reipiestin^, or HU|)pli-
eatiu};, both hands ))ein;4(lirected upward toward tlu'one spoken to.

No. (► is the st<»ray«' phice lor food and olliei' ariit-h's, wiiih' in No. 7
we tind another (hunesliaped winter iiouse witli Die innuites in view.
A tidrd jterson is standiii;; before tiie ihtor, wiiile under tiio a<'eunipany-
in^ seatVold a fourth individual is visible.

No. !> represents a wintei- house, and snudie is lisin;;' frcnn the place
where tlie smoke hole is usually found. The smoke looks straight and
ri^id, iesend)Iin}i' a tr«'e. The two people seem to l>e occupi«'<l in carry-
in^^ soinethin;;. The illustriition at No. 10 is a scan«)ld for the saft; loca-
tion of food, and Nos. 11, l.*{, an<l II are similar sfru<'tuies, whereas No.
lli is a warehouse, pr(d)ably of a white trader. No. !."» is a winter house,
thou^fh ajjpait'utly deserted.

The specimen representi'd in plate (»l is a pi])e bearin,i; delicate and
elaborate eti'hings of a variety of sul»ie<'ts. The obji-ct is nnule of wal-
rus ivory, measurinji l.>; incdies in lenf^th, !•; inches in height near the
inserth)n of the bowl, and slij^htly less than 1 inch in transverse diame-
ter at the same jioint. The perlbration at tin* mouthpiece is one eighth
of an inch in diameter.

The bowl is of block tin, while the top of the bowl is lined with a thin
sheet of perforated, ornamentcil brass. The calil)erof the bowl is oidy
one-tburth of an in(;h in diameter, and seems to have been made in
inntation of a Chinese i>ipe Itowl and possibly for the same style of
smoking.

The pipes, like others of like form from the same locality, at St.
Michaers| ?|, have been said to have been made tor sahi to tra<ler8.
That may be, and does not in the least impair the interest and value
of the pictographic records ])ortrayed upon the sevei'al sides. Though
the pii)es may be shaped, to a lindted extent, in imitiition of tbreign
shapes, yet the jnctography renniins Ivskimo, made by an Ivskimo, and
to portray Ivskimo scenes and avocations.

The upper ligure of the pij>e prt^sents the characters on the left side,
and beginning at the extreme left is observed a vertical ornamental
bar or border, similar to those drawn along the lower half of the i>ipe .
stenj, though in the latter space they are arranged diagonally, and
made to separate ornaments consisting of (toncentric rings, ornaments
to which special reference is nuide elsewhere.

The first group consists of two persons engaged in twisting a cord,
though the suggestion has b«'en made that they api)ear to be engaged
in a pastime which couvsists in nmking string tigures, similar to the
American boy's "cat's cradle," etc. The tigure next to the right repre-
seuts the end view of a building having tw() rooms, in the larger of

I by the

Wv No. 5
AWii v«ry
or mippli-
eii t(».
V in No. T
>s in view,
icomimny-

I the i»h»ce
•aij-lit ami
il in t'any-
L' safe, loca-
luMcas No.
liter liouse,

I'licate and
a«le of wai-
lit near the
erse diiune-
\ oneei^lith

with a tliin
j(»\vl is only
»en made in
inie style of

\lity, at St.
to traders,
t and value
les. Though
M of foreign
Ivskinio, and

the left side,
ornamental

f of the pipe .
:onally, and

8, ornaments

sting a eord,
o be engaged
iimilar to the
e right repre-
the larger of

Niporto) U. S Niticinal Muxum. IB9S. Hoffman

Plate 61.

O
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o
o

M ^i

If'li

h I

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

855

which appear two persons seated ]»laying on the tainbonrinc dium,
while a third person is depicted in tlie graceful attitude of dancing
"a la Americaine." The fourth figure is crouching or kneeling before
the hearth, probably to light a fire, as none appears to be there, as
indicated by the absence (»f smoke. The presence of fire is generally
indicated by the i>ortrayal of short lines sidhering to a vertical one, to
denote smoke.

Upon the outside of the large room is alow structure containing the
second room. The face of the sun is ])ainted upon the wall, in reference
to the return of the sun and warm weather — to spring; and the droi)s
of water, (;aused by the melting sun or ice upon the roof, are shown
dropping from a short wooden <'arved spout. The carving seems to
have been made in imitation of similar ones found among the T'hlinkit
and Ilaida Indians. The above dance and portrayal of the sun refers
to highly imp(utant and complicated ceremonials observed at the return
of the sun from the south.

The illustration reaching almost across the ivory space, that resem-
bling light lines in imitation of a ladder, is a fish weir, placed in
streams for catching salmon, and one of these fish is actually shown
approa<'hing the opening leading to the inclosure in which the game is
secured. An otter is also drawn approaching the tish trap, denoting
the destructive habits of the mammal in robbing the trap of iisli thus
secured and unable to escape.

The rectangular iigi f immediately behind the otter api)ears to be a
view of the top of a I jat landing, facing the water, and upon which
are tv.o persons, one seated near a handled \essel — probably a bucket
or basket — while the other is drawn in the attitude of spearing fish,
the entire sketch seeming to have reference to another method of secur-
ing fish for food.

Immediately across the ivory space, and along the opposite base line,
are observable four persons, each drumming upon his medicine drum
and approaching a dome-shaped habitation, within which are ])ort^ayed
two persons, crawling forward on hands and knees to receive from a
seated figure some mysterious or magic substaiu'e. This is a shaman-
istic ceremony, in which some charmed medicines are secured, and by
means of which some si)e('ial success is expected in the chase.

The character in the middl*' of the iviuy rod, nearest to the dome-
shaped house, is a spout of water, at the narrow eiul of which is a trans-
verse line, with a shorter one within the inclosure. These two lines
denote the logs of wood employed by the beaver in building a dam.
The beaver is shown swimming toward a dark spot, which seems to
consist of a series of short scratches, and which denotes the deposit of
twigs for food, while the rounded dark <Msk upon the shore line repre-
sents the beaver's house. The animal is accurately portrayed, the tail
being especially conspicuous to give specific in<lication as to the species
of animal intended to be shown.

In the next figure is represented one method of securing deer. The

!;f;i. M

;!)!

I i

856

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

iiicloaure, within which three deer are shown, ia a pen made for securing
such game, the fourth animal to enter liaving been driven forward from
the open country and guided toward the entrance by the erection of
low brush fences, as will be observed, extending diagonally toward it
from the base lines at either margin of the ivory. The two hunters,
armed with bow and arrow, are seen running toward the inclosure to
shoot the deer.

Beyond the rear fence or inclosure of the deep pen are two pine trees.
Upon one is perched a bird, while half-w«ay up the other is a small mam-
mal. The latter ia not drawn in imitation of the porcupine — as else-
where portrayed — and it may be intended to represent the marten.
The next figure is a bhick bear, erect upon his hind feet and being
attacked by a hunter armed with a spear.

The next scene is a snare trap, which has caught aiul suspended in
the air a small animal. The trap is surrounded by vertical sticks so
arranged about Hie baited ])art that, to cause it to be sprung, the ani-
mal can rea(*h the bait only at one open space. The noose is arranged
so as to catch the aninuil about the neck, in imitation of the American
boy's rabbit snare.

The next trap shown consists of a log, or sapling, resting upon a
short upright piece, so that when the bait is ttmched the log will fall
and secure, by crushing, the animal so unfortunate as to enter. The
top is weighted by extra pieces of timber and sometimes stones, secured
so as not to fall off. A small animal is seen approaching the trap from
one side, while from the other is seen approaching a bear; the idea
being that this arrangement or ki-nd of trai) is employed in securing
both kinds of animals. The small deer and men shown along the oppo-
site base line represent two hunters disguised in wolf skins so as to
more readily approach within sluM)ting distance of the reindeer, while
the third has goiui forward and shot an arrow, which is seen in its Hight
approaching an animal.

The last iigiire of the group is a fallen reindeer upon which one bird
of prey has alightc«l and another is seen descending. The feathers in
the outstretched wings are t'learly indicated and the attitude is very
lifelike.

The upper ridge of the right side of the pipestem also bears some
interesting scenes. That on the section nearest the bowl contains two
human ligures, one representing a native in the attitude of kicking a
ball, his leg being still in the air, while the other person is portrayed
as reaching out his hands as if to catch the ball as it descends. The
illustration next toward the left represents a habitation with two rooms,
in the larger of which is a horizontal line, midway between the floor
and ceiling, denoting the shelf used as seats aiul for sleeping. Upon
this shelf are seven persons, live of whom are represented as drum-
ming, using the ordina»y tambourine for the purpose.

Beneath are live characters, four being shamans, while the fifth, a

TI^VXCMnVM

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

857

smaller one, shown as horizontal in the air, is the <lenion which has been
expelled from a sick man. The smaller apiirtment shows one person
with a dish, or pan, probably preparing food for the participants in the
ceremonials condncted within the adjoining room.

Outside of the house is a man portrayed in the act of splitting wood,
the log beneath his feet having two wedges projecting which aio being
driven in to split the timber. A second individual is i)ushing at his
dog sledge, he having returned with a load, as may be observed, the
logs still in position at the front of the sledge.

The figure next to the preceding is seated upon the ground and
apparently mending his net. The characters .above the wood chopper
and the returning traveler are drawn upon the opi)08ing base line.
The figure in the attitude of running is going to the assistance of one
who has caught a seal, the latter resisting capture by the use of his
flippers, which are drawn extended from the body to denote their use
in the present instance. The ring indicates a hole in the ice, while the
bar held in the hands is the piece of wood to which the line is secured.

The illustration of tishing through the ice is shown in several records,
but in none more graphically than in the figure nearest to the seal
hunter above referred to. The native is here shown seate<l,and before
him is a fish lying attached to a short line by which it is secured, while
with the other hand tlie fisherman is holding his rod, the line passing
through a hole, and beneath are shown the sinker and hook, while a
fish is seen approaching to take hold. The representation of the trans-
parency of the ice was no doubt beyond the ability of the artist, and he
therefore very wisely made no attempt at any indication of a surface
line.

By turning over the pipestem the record may be renewed at the fig-
ure of the umiak, containing five hunters, four of whom are using the
paddles, whilst the fifth is throwing a harpoon toward a large ws 'jus.
This creature has already been harpooned by a hunter in a kaiak, who
is holding up one hand with his fingers spread, while in the other hand
he holds his paddle. Upon the stern of the kaiak is the fioat, used in
connection with the harpoon line. A second walrus is observed iinme
diately behind the harpooned animal.

At the extreme left of the stem is a crouching or kneeling hunter
preparing to throw a harpoon at a seal or fenuile walrus, from whose
mouth drops of water or ])erhaps blood are seen to tri<!kle.

Upon the opposing base line of the pipestem is a single whaU' hunter
in his boat, a small whale having been harpooned, wliile to the line a
large skin fioat is attached to impede the animaPs motion. The other
whale is escaping, and the water is shown spouting from the nostrils
of both animals.

The ornamentation upon the two lower sides, as well as the treelike
figures near the mouthpiece, will be discussed in connection with the
evolution of ornamentation.

858

REPORT OK NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

■ *;:
.; , . ii

i h

I! ''

;] 1^

Wh 1

1 .
1 t

The specimen represented in the upper liyiire in plate (i'2 measures
12 iuclies in lenjftli aloii}; the eential line and !•• inches in heijjht at
the back of the bowl. The lattei' measures 2}^ inches across the top
and is Ih inches in heijiht. The pipestem is made of a line compact
piece of walrus ivory, which retains some of its lateral curvature as
well as that visible from the front view. The bowl is symmetrical and
was undoubtedly turned on a lathe.

The characters portrayed along the middle base line, beginning
nearest the mouthpiece, represent, first, a seal, then two Mater fowl. A
walrus tiien api)ears above the surface and is looking after the umiak,
which has passed in pursuit of a whale, and which creature has been
attacked by one of the hunt»"s. Tiic second hunter is holding aloft
his oar, a signal to indicate to others near by that assistaucc is wanted.
The other men in the umiak are using the paddle so as to keep pace
with the whale, which is shown spouting.

The elevated scaffold which is next ]»ortrayed was a notched piece
of timber set in jdace to serve as a ladder, and one ])er8on is shown
ascending, a bundle being .attached to his back — probably food — as the
other i»erson on the scattbM i8occu])ied in preparing food of sonu' kind,
which is then sus])ended from the horizontal i>oles, as shown in the
etching. The next illustraticui. to the right, represents a fisherman
hauling up his net to dry, while another man is occupied in sjditting
wood, the Wi'dges used for the juirpose being shown in the log at the
end resting ujion another ]>icce of wood or a stone.

The hous«', which conu^s next in order, has two rooms, uj)on the roof
of the smaller one being shown an individual carrying into the house
some i»ieces of wood, which have been sjdit by the wood chopper. The
horizontal line at the toj) of the large room has susi)ende<l from it snuill
round objects which denote some kind of food : and at the middle line,
the shelf, used as a bed or for seat, shows tlir4>e i)ersons; the first one,
with one leg hanging down, is pointing, or reaching, toward a dish
containing food, as the second has already placed some into his mouth.
The third person is lying down, with legs curved and his head resting
ui)on a i)illow or bale of soiiu' material found <'onve'.iient for the pur-
pose. The person seated upon tlie floor does not seem specially occu-
l)ied, and directly behind is a vertical line, upon which is a lamp, the
usual method of constructing these being that of placing two soapstone
lanips ni)on a crosspiece, so as to balance, the center of the latter being
seemed to a vertical stick.

The last illustration denotes a dome-shaped structure with a smoke
hole in the roof, one person being api)arently busied with his i>ipe,
while the other has before him a kettle, in which he is stirring with a
stick or ladle, netwccn the two persons is tiie fire, from which the
smoke is seen to rise and to escape through the opening at the top.

Within the snudl room of the house above mentioned is a short
vertical line, to which are attached some small globular figures. The

Report of U S National Museum, 1895. — HoMman

Plate 62.

>•
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u
Q

■:¥l

'l.l

I n'

V^. f

\ f

I 11

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Report n» U, S National Museum, 189S Holfn

Plate 63.

^.■■| 'i'

]■■'.

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O
O

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GRAPHIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

850

Ui
0)

u
h-
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a:
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o
lij
O

line represents tlio spout iiiid is on Uut oiitsi<Ic of tlie house, wliile tlio
globules denote drops of water — similar to those ptntrayed on the pipe
with the metal bowl, plate (M — and refers to the melting of the snow
upon the roof, as the approaeh of spring is referretl to espeeially. On
the opposite side of the specimen, the first eharaeter is a man, with a
bundle on his back, running in the direction of an inclosnre iind deer
drive. Two reindeer are already in the pen, while three animals are
running toward it, closely pursued by the drivers, one of whi(!h is
armed with bow and iimloubtedly also arrows.

The third person, walking along the upper base liiu', is in attendance
at a tisli trap, into which four (ish are seen to swim. l>eyon<l this is a tall
pine, upon the sununit being a bird, and half-way up, a snnill mamnnil.

The scatfold beyond this has upon the roof a man engaged in hang-
ing up deer, whic^h have been capture«l and brought home by the two
men at the dog sledge, upon which is another deer. Immediately above
these tigures is a man leading a dog hitched to a sled and thus dragging
home two seals — the latter represented upon their backs, just as these
aninnils are gotten along easily on account of the abundance of hair. A
large bear is shown upon his Inuinches, one luitive attacking him with a
spear, while the second person has started to run away after shooting
an arrow into the bear's back. The remaining two tigures deuttte two
kinds of traps nsed in catching small animals, one being caught by a
noose, while the second is a deadfall.

Upon the upper base line, beginning nearest to the tall i>ine tree
already des(!ribe(l, one man is shown attempting to take a somersault,
possibly as a pictorial portrayal of the sense of joy at the return of
sunnner; the second person has a rod which he is dragging home.
The two dogs are very cleverly portrayed, while the man next to the
left is s))earing an otter. The animal upon the ground seems to be
intende<l for a marten.

A clever sketxrh is presented in the next illustration, in which a native,
with a pack on his back and a small bucket in his hand, is gathering
berries.

The recor<l ends with a deer, which has been secured by means of
suspending a strong noose over a path or trail freipiented by the
animal. The hunter has «'onie u|) to kill the captive with a spear.

The decorative designs are treated of elsewhere.

The sj)ecimen shown in plate (J.') measures lO-j inches in length, IJ
inches in height at the highest part near the bowl space, and seven-
eighths of an inch in diameter.

This differs from the other pipes in the nuinner of i>lacing the engrav-
ings, these occupying the lower spaces, while the upper bear the con-
centric rings and diagomU lines. The left-hand figure in the upper
illustration in the plate denotes a habitation with its entrance. Seated
upon the projecting shelf seat is the drummer, holding the tambourine
drum in cue hand while with the other he grasps a drumstick. The

860

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

; J;

i^'

^r- 1!

' -i ('

other Hgiiros are tlie dancerH, in various attitudes, witli liaudH and
fingers extended. Upon tlie roof of the entrance are two men in simi-
lar attitudes, wliile witliin tlie entran<'e is one figure of a man in the
attitude of falling fiu'ward upon the ground. The daiiee does not appear
to be a shamanistie eereniony, as otherwise the indication of a demon
would be observed.

In fiont of tlu^ entrance is a group of figures in a threatening atti-
tude, (^spe«!ially one of the men, who a]>pears to be drawing his bow with
the intention of shooting his vis-avis, who has a hand up ns if guard-
ing his face. Tliere appears to have been a dis<!ussion respecting a
seal — lying upon the ground between the men— whicli resulted as
suggested.

The next figure is shown in the attitude of spearing a seal in the
water, the spear bladder being shown at the ui)i)er end of the weapon.
The next man is dragging home a seal, while the next following is
engaged with a like animal, stoo])ing down at the tail and for some
purpose not indicated.

Tlie laig(^ creature lying ujmn the base line, next to the right, is a
whale. One of the hunters has a hatchet and is cutting up the ani-
mal, while the two assistants are otherwise engaged at either end.
Next toward the right, is another hunter in the act of dragging along
upon a sledge his kaiak. The last ])er8on to follow has upon his sledge
a seal which has been captured.

Apart from the ornamentation in the upper ridge, there are two seals
visible at the left.

Upon the reverse side of the pipestem shown in the lower figure in
plate 01, the regular ornamentation o«!curs likewise along the up])er
face, only two compartments at the extreme right being reserved for
the figures of seals.

Beginning at the righthand end, and Avith the lower plane, a habi-
tation, similar to the one upon the opjxjsite side, is portrayed, the only
difference being that there are two human figures drawn within the
entrance to the home instead of one.

Another figure of a man is upon the outside, seemingly leaning
against the door, while behind him are two men in mortal combat, one
preparing to thrust his spear, while the other has a drawn bow with
arrow directed forward toward his victim. Some plants are shown
upon the ground, which may have been the cause of the quarrei which
seems to be indicated.

l^octor A. Warburg, of Florence, Italy, kindly sent me sketches
taken from a pipe similar to tlie preceding, which he founrt in the col-
lection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York
City. An interesting pipe from St. Michaels is in the collection of the
Georgetown College, Washington, District of Columbia. The story
told by the etchings is the same as in plate (52, and it appears as if a
certain person, or persons, were the author of all of these examples, the

GRAPHIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

8(11

cliararteristics of the etchings boinj;' tlie siiine, as well ns tlu^ };eiu'ral
iinpurt of the narrative. In the (Jeorj^etowu College sperinieii, how-
over, the base line above or against which are shown the llgures in
varionH ]>nr8uit8 and avocations extends t'roni the front or bowl end
spirally aronnd the stem back to the nionthpicce. This is uniqnt; so far
as known, and appears to be simply a fant^v on tlie part of the maker
td cause (piicker sale of the specimen, nearly all of this «'lass of ivory
workmanship being made for sale to visitors.

Plate 24, tig. '2, is a triangularly shaped drill bow from Sledge
Island. It is 13A inches in length. The three sides are very fully «leco-
rated, the back of the bow bearing the greatest amount of work.
The three square ligures at the lelt represent scaffolds, niton whi«'li
storehouses are located. Between these are two elonpited tigures rep-
resenting winter habitations. Upon the house at the left are four
human ligures in various attitudes of gesticulatioti. The thin vertical
line at the right (»f the entrance, having a small transverse scratch at
the top, denotes a votive olfering, imlicating that one of the oc<!upants
of the house was lately deceased. Five nu'n are seen under and about
the second storehouse. Upon the next or second habitation from the
left are four human beings, the larger being on all fours, as if in the
attitude of watching those just nuMitioned. The next figure is occu-
pied with s(mie snuiU (tbject at a lire, the smoke of which is seen rising.

Of the two suc(!eeding ligures, one is apparently lu)lding a line, widle
the other appears to be oc(!upied in some gymnastic performance.
Beyond the next storehouse is another habitation. IJeside the two
human tigures will be observed smoke issuing from the lire, and a rack
upon which are suspended sonui ol)je(^ts, possibly meat, or sonui other
uuiterials. The fourth habitation from tluj left, somewhat larger and
more rudely drawn than the pieceding, also has upon the roof live
individuals, with arms and legs in various attitudes. The two vertical
lines with a horizontal pole between them reiucvsent a meat rack, and
the other lines indicate meat or lish. The six human ligures immedi-
ately to the right of this meat rack are pla<!ed so tluit the heads ]»oint
toward the center of the recoi'<l, wliiU; tlie feet of three rest on the bot-
tom base line, and the feet of the other three on the top base line.
This is intended to represent the idea of a circle, as the iiulividuals are
engaged in a ceremonial dance. ( Mie of them, evidently the shaman,
is shown with three lines projecting from the head, possibly indicating
a mask. From this point to the right end of the drill b«)w the record
occupies both top and bottom lines of the illustration. Uimn the
dwelling to the right of tlie dancers are four human figures, one with
a spear directed toward a deer, while the individual on the top of the
roof U pointing with one hand toward the animals, and his companion
has both arms raised in exclamation. The square elevated structure,
adjoining the house, represents a storehouse. At the top of the rod,
above these human tigures, Is a man dragging home a seal which hu

862

REPORT or NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1H«»5.

>f t

\y.

I )

liuH (raptured, while* in front of liiin stands a roindnn wliirli is boin^
allot at by a native who is ai mud with bow and arrow. A little farther
to the left, upon the same line, a nuin is lyinj; tiat upon the ground
with his m\u <lirected toward J he deer. Metweon the two elevated
storehouses are ei{;ht«^'n niitives in various attitudes, ])arti(;ipatiii}; in
a dance. At the ri^^ht is a winter habitation, upon which an Indian
stands with one hand elevated, the object in his hand evidently dcnot-
inj; a tambourine drum. A votive olferinj; is shown over the entranoe
to the habitation, while* to the right is seen rising- a column of smoke.
Upon the scatf<dd beneath the sipuire part of the str eture reju'esent-
ingthe storehouse is an inverted boat suspended for drying. A partly
obliterated tigure of a human being occupies the space between the
storehouse and the end of the rod. The under sides of the bow are
tilled with tigures of habitations, racks from which an; suspeiuled
pieces of meat, and individuals occupied witli various domestic duties.
One portion of another part of the record represents an umiak going
away from land toward some small objects which aie believed to repre-
.sent seal, while on the shore are represented four men dragging at a
large animal, possibly intended to represent a seal, and in front of them
a dog is hitched to another seal, dragging it home to the camp, possibly
to the left.

riate (54, tig. 3, also represents an ivory drill bow from Diomede
Islands. The ornamentation shown at the left end of the illustration
is an attem])t at duplicating the peculiar zigzag markings, the simjde
form of whicli is shown in jwate .'{1, fig. 4. The next oblong tigure on
four i)iles represents a granary or food storehouse. Next is shown a
human being with his arms extended in the act of making some ges-
ture. To the right of this is a building resembling a white man's
habitation or trader's store. The mammal to the right of this repre-
sents a bear. Next come the figures of two walruses, and beyond the
middle to the right is the outline of a large bear in the attitude of eat-
ing some mammal which he has captured at the seashore, apparently
a seal or large tisli. To the right of this is a very crude ligure, some-
what resembling a whale, with the tail elevated and the head down,
though from the "blowholes" there appears to be some S])ray ascend-
ing. The latter seems to be represented by dots instead of the usual
short lines. To the right of this, upon the base line, is a long necked
animal denoting a seal, and beyond, at the extreme right, is a granary
or storehouse elevated u])on piles. Turning the si)ccimen so that the
upper line becomes the base line there will be observed at the left, to
the right of the grsinary Just mentioned, a figure of a seal, next two fair
outlines of trees, and a walrus. The pointed tigure, almost triangular
in shape, appears to denote a summer habitati<m. The character in the
middle of the record, apparently a scatfolding, is not clearly determin-
able, as it seems to indicate from one point of view a granary upon a
scaffold, but the projection at the left with two short vertical lines

■--*'-' '" ■' «e.. ' j^ ' a. ' . ' -i y tt. r^

OUAPIIIO ART OF THK ESKIMOH.

803

riu. 70.

PICKINii IIKItlMKH.

depending tluMolVoin 8U};^0HtH ivn attusnpt iit denoting; Home form (»f
iinimal, wliirli sut'iiis (>l>s<;ur(Ml by tlio Kqiian^ stni(;ture iittiu^lioil to the
opposite line. A littlu I'arthcr to the left is the figure of a muii with
arms outstretched, and heyoixl this tlie body of a wahus with liii^e
tusks. On tlie opposite side of the record, at the extreioe riii^ht, is
portrayed a rock projecting; friuu the sea, upon which
are restiufj four seals. A short distaiKiebi'yond tlieae
is s(>en an umiak, and toward the left a whale, from
above the head of wliich is indicated by simple litth?
triangular dots an explosion of spray, as is shown in
the tij^ure upon the opposite si<le of the drill bow. This is of peculiar
inten'st, ami indicates either inexperience in portraiture on the part of
the native artist or a iiiyh degree in conventioindizing. The renniining
fllj^urcs can be readily deterndned an<! need no further inter))retation.
Upon the narrow convex edge of the bow in the center of the entire

record is the outlint^ of another whale with the

M ^^ triangidar dots for spray being arranged a little

i^F\\^^^^^/^ nearer togetiier so as to approa(di more nearly the

_ iyBllfll"wlff*" " usual method of indicating spray or water thrown

from the blowholes. To the right of this is a wal-
rus and live seals, while to the left is a seal with
its young on its hack, and other characters readily determinable by the
reader without furtiier explanation. TIm- bottom of the bow bears a
continnous series for njorc than half of it- iitire length of conventional-
ized seal heads, indicating ornamentation rather than an attempt at a
historical record.

Fig. 70 represents a native piiiking berries. This illustration is of
peculiar interest, as the nucleated circles ujion the short leaved stems
denote the fruit. The same tigure with the blossom, in which the three
short radiating lines are addetl to denote the tlower. is shown on plate
4() in the powder nieasure. U])on this too ar«' the short lines running-
downward from the ring on the mcasuie, to which are attached three
berries, i. e., three nucleated » :i<'les.

The engraving represented in lig. 71 is selected from a series of cliarac-

KiK.71.
crrriNu rv a wai.iuk.

'tt ■;

M \i

i tl

1^ '

Fig. 72.
crrriNo ri- keindeek.

Fig. 73.
rUTTINO II' KEINDEEB.

ters on an ivory drill, locality unknown. The horizontal body represents
a walrus, lying on its back, being cut up by the two men, the one at the
left hand using a cleaver, while his companion is otherwise engaged at
the head of the animal. The artistic execution, apparent, is extraordi-
narily good ; the lines being deep single (^'cases, indiciiting the engraver
to have been thoroughly experienced in the use of the graver.

864

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Fig. 74.

CATCH IN<1
FISH.

Fig. 75.

CATCHINd 8KAI, THIlordll THE
ICE.

Two illustratious of natives cutting up reindeer are shown in figs. 72
and 73. Both are very cleverly drawn, the limbs of reindeer being
very naturally indicated, as assumed in dead animals.

. A very clever sketch of a native fishing through a hole in

''C the ice is shown in flg. 74. The hole is indicated by a small
"j^ circle while the ice itself is not shown — that being trans-
parent. One fish has already been caught, as shown above.
The absence of lines to denote ice is similarly evident in the
Kolguev illustration on plate 10.

A seal caught through the ice is shown in lig. 75, the hole
being shown back of the hunter by the single form of a loop,
as in the illustration referring to seal spearing, tig. 70, where the hole
is again in<licated by a circle on the ice line.

This scene is taken from the Ohuckche chart,
though the drawing is evidently of Eskimo type.
Tho small loop above the nose of the seal is
simply an indi(!a<^ )n that there is a hole in the
ice, made by the .Aeal for breathing.

Alikespecimen of Alaskan work !« shown in flg.
77, wlierc only the surface of the ice is shown, and
the tigureof animal is absent — beneath the surface.
Tlie artistic e.vecutiou of the several objects portrayed in tig. 78 is
rather crude. The two summer habitations or tents at the
\ left have between them a long i)ole from which are sus

^\ peiided cords for the reception of fish for curing. The

^~"A person engaged in hanging up this article of food is drawn
ii ( ^ in a crouched or seated manner, not because he or she
was so seated, but because the figure was irade too large
for tlie space within which to represent it in an upright
position. Figures in a seated pos-
ture are always placed in contact with the sur-
face upon which they are presumed to be so
located, either upon the ground, in a canoe, or
on a projecting shelf inside of the dwelling.
The circumstance of a sick person being brought
before a shaman for treatment is quite differ-
ent, as in such instances the humaii figure is
drawn as if lying down and may not be in contact with the ground.
The tree-like figure at tlie right of the tent is smoke arising from

the fire. The two roofed buildings are
built in imitation of the habitations of
white traders, one of them having a door
at the side, and a covered portico, or
platform, at the side.
The scene on the fiat piece of bone shown in flg. 70 represents sev-
eral subjects. In the upper half, at the right, is a summer shelter,
within which are two flgures. One is seated upon the floor, while the

Fij;.76.

SI'EAUlNd SKAI,.

Fig. 77.

SPEAKING 8EAL.

Fig. 78.
CUHINO FISH.

iu flgs. 72
jer being

a hole in
y a small
\g trans-
n above.
;nt in t'ae

, the hole

)f a loop,

the hole

Hliordll THE

tig. 78 is
iits at the

are sus
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is drawn
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I upright

7.
tiEAL.

; ground,
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[itious of
ug a door
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ents sev-
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while the

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Plate 65.

Ornamented Cylindrical Cases.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 6 5.

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I-.S. .\.)

GRAPHIC AKT OF THE ESKIMOS.

865

other lias his liaiuls exteiuleil and eli'vatcd, as if callinj^ attention to
gonietliin^of importance, or making the gesture for surprise. Tiie tall
tree like object next to the habitation is a column of sin<»ku arising
from a heap of burning wood, visible upon the gnmntl, while to the loft,
against the lire, is a kettle, in which some one is stirring with a stick.
That the person is tired appears to be indicate<l by his resting his hand
upon his knee as he leans forward toward his work. The rack, bearing
a long horizontal pole, is next toward the left, and beneath it is a man
hanging uj) fish, which has beeii prejjared by the one at the tire. The
individual has a piece of meat raised toward the bar, while before him
is a vessel from which it was rcmove<l. The h>ng net stretched from
the left-hand scallold pole to the end of the re<ord is a gill net, a form
used to set in shallow water and generally stretched at right angles to
the shore line, in which manner more fish are intercepted tlian if it
were parallel therewith.

The small projections above and below the net arc floats and sinkers.

Plate G<i, tig. 2, shows a powderhorn made of antler. It was obtained
at St. Michaels. The specimen is decorated by incisions cut length-
wise, to both sides of
which are attached
vai'ious tigures of ani-
m a 1 s , birds, and
human habitations.
The princii)al tigure
shown in the illustra-
tion represents three
summer habitations,

while one of the natives is occupied in suspending meat from a drying
pole. At the left of this is a habitation beneath which is shown another
habitation, inverted, in which are portrayed four human beings. To the
left is a fox, or wolf, holding in its paws some small creature, evidently
game which it has captured. The animal seems to be pursued by a bird
of prey shown to the left, both having probably been hunting the same
quarry.

Plate 05, tig. 3, represents a so-called ivory box for snutl', though the
specimen appears to be made of horn. This was obtained at Ilotham
Inlet. The specimen is divided into four ditlerent compartments by
means of transverse lines, each line consisting of parallel incisions
decorated as in plate 28, tigs. 2 and 4. The spaces contain representa-
tions of fish, sledges, tree ornamentations, and various other charac-
ters, notably the outlines of a number of human beings, apparently
dancers with rattles.

Plate 14, fig. 2, represents a bone or reindeer-horn specimen from St.

^lichaels. Upon the lower side, at the left, is represented a boat with

four white men cariying out supplies from a trader's store, within

which and behind the counter stands another man with a hat upon his

NAT MUS 95 65

FiR. 79.

ENORAVINf) t)N HONE.

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866

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

licnd. To the right nf this in shown anotlier hitt, about which four
persons are occupied in preparing food. One is standing over a kettle
with a utensil in his hand, as if stirring, while anotlier, to the right of
the sinoke, is in the act of reaching into the vessel over which he is
occupied. At the extreme riglit is a meat rack. 13y turning the speci-
men upside down tliere will be observed approaching from the left a
native pushing a sledge, to which are attached two dogs. In front is a
native with hands lowered and extended, as if calling to urge forward
the dogs. At the right is a scaftold which i.s in connection with an
underground habitation. From the top of one of the smoke holes is
seen rising a heavy cloud of smoke. Two natives are also jwrtrayed,
the one at the right with arms extended, as if making signals. To the
left is an upright pole over the entrance of the habitation, which
represents a votive ottering.

J Mate G6, tig. 3 represents a kantag or bucket handle from Norton
Sound. It is an old time-stained piece, and bears upon the lateral
edges a few sharply incised tigures, tliat upon the right or upi)er side
denoting a procession of loaded sledges. The attitudes of the dogs
following them, as well as of the nien assisting, are very natural. Upon
the opposite side of the middle are three kaiaks, on either side of which
are a number of seals, while at the extreme left are two low mounds
representing winter habitations.

In plate 07, tig. .'i, Nos. 2, 3, and 4 indicate the summer habitations
of some natives who had gone away to catch and cure salmon. The
fish are drying upon the racks shown in Nos. 1 aiul 5; at the latter one
the natives are hanging up fish, while at the other end of the rack is
the ever present dog.

No. 6 denotes the boat with three men inside, while the fourth is
towing the vessel toward shore.

The individual at No. 7 is making the gesture for calling attention to
something which he has at his feet — probably a salmon. No. 8 is a
native taking a skin of one of the dead animals, while Nos. 9 and 10
are also going to join in carrying venison, as shown by Nos. 11 and 12.
The dog between the two last named seems to scent the meat. No. 13
is engaged in cutting iip an animal, the cut in the abdomen being shown
by two parallel horizontal lines. Nos. 14 and 15 are dead deer, over
which the native at the last named is busied. No. 10 is lying tlat on
his stomach, holding a gun, as beyond the hillock. No. 17, he sees a
herd of deer, some grazing and some lying upon the ground. The rack
at 18 is where he had a camp at a former time, showing the locality to
have been visited before.

The entire village appears to have turned out, as shown in plate 67,
fig. 3, to aid in dragging ashore a whale, No. 1. Lines extend to either
side, where groups of men are dragging at them, No. 2. The tigures on
the animal are cutting ofif pieces, one at the left or head end having
raised a long slice of blubber or skin, while at the other end one of the

R«porfof U S. Natioral Mu»«uni, 1 B>5.— Hu'fman,

Plate 66.

late 67,
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Report of U. S. Nationil Mu«aum, 189S Hoffman,

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Plate 67.

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Records of DIly Avocations.

^*.■^

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

867

men is receiving a piece from another; while still another, nearer the
tail, is tossing a piece of the meat to a companion, whose arms are
stretched out to receive it.

Still another pair of natives are occupied with a large piece lying upon
the ground. At No. 3 is a habitation, and at No. 4 the man is getting
ready his sledges to haul the meat back to the house, where the long
vertical ridge poles indicate that the meat is to be suspended from them.
Tlie natives at Nos. and 7 are also in the attitude of some occupation
in anticipation of having meat to hang up at the scaflFold at No. (J.

The inverte<l quadruped near the middle of the record, and above the
rope, pertains to a record which was to rest upon the base line, on the
upper surface of the same side, but whicli was not undertaken.

The men at No. 5 are apparently using sledge runners upon which to
drag their umiak to the shore, so as to ajiproach the whale from the
water side to assist in cutting him to pieces-
Plate 07, iig. 3, represents a number of «liflferent avocations connected
with the chase, and the artistic porirayal of the actions represented
are peculiarly distinct aiul interesting.

Tlie left end of the record is somewhat marred by wear, but the first
character to be intelligible, No. 1. denotes the horns of a slaughtered
reindeer, of which the skin, No. 2, is outstretched upon the ground.
At No. 3 are represented the horns and forelegs of the animal, which
have been dressed for transportation to the village. At No. 4 is the
skin of a female reindeer, Avhile at No. 5 is visible the hunter seated
upon the ground and smoking his ])ipe. His gun and quiver of arrows
are indicated at Nos. C and 7 respectively.

No. 8 denotes a bear which has been captured by the same hunter,
whose figure is reproduced,. and his comi)anion. No. 11 represents a
man engaged upon the section of a temporary shelter, while the indi-
vidual at No. 12 is using a drill bow to rotate the stick, held by No. 13,
in the act of making fire. Nos. 14 and 10 represent a boat's crew who
landed at the camp or shelter just named. The first of the figures is
dragging the boat along shore, tlie one in the stern aiding in poling.
No. 1.5 is the figure of a fish to indicate the purpose for which the party
is away from their own home.

At No. 17 is shown a man hanging meat upon the rack for drying,
the strii)8 of meat being visible the entire length of the horizontal pole
to 19, which is the skin of a reindeer. The duties of No. 18 are not
apparent, hut he was evidently helping in the work of suspending
pieces of meat. No. 20 is a winter habitation, before which is one of
the inmates. No. 21, engaged in preparing food, or something that
requires stirring. Before him is observed rising a colunm of smoke,
No. 22, while at No. 22 is another kettle belonging to No. 23, who is
also, apparently, going to assist in the culinary work. No. 24 is a canoe
lying upon its side, so as to dry the bottom, and behind it is seen the
owner engaged in cleaning and repairing the side.

868

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

id-:

:-.] ■:.

The elongated figure at No. 25 is a iUh net stretched out for drying.
Other characters appear to have been made farther toward tlje right,
but from use of the rod the surface has been worn so smooth as to
obliterate them.

wm.ni

Ismk i^\^ 1 X

3 4 5 6

¥iii- 8".

EHKIMll ATlll.F.IIC Sl'llUTS.

. The etchings reproduced in |>hite G7, flg. 4, were copied from anivory
rod ill the collection of the Aluska Commercial Company, and were
interpreted by Vladimir Naomoft", a Kadiak half-caste referred to else-
where. The left-hand iigure represents a long rack from which a native
has suspended reindeer hides, the person being portrayed at the right
as in the act of descending from a short ladder. The dome-shaped

Iigure is a habitation, before the door of which is
^■^^ a scjuare figure — perli{ii)S a kettle — from which

smoke is arising. A native is next drawn in the

Fig. 81.

NATIVE ATHLETE.

actof shootingareindeer.thearrowsbeingshown
as if sticking in its back. The continuous body
with eleven pairs of horns indicates that number
of animals. To the right are several reindeer down upon the ground,
two having been shot with arrows, the native being again shown in the
act of shooting toward a herd of ten reindeer, wotmding one which after-
wards attacked him, and which he caught by the horns, as shown at the
extreme right end of the record.

The figure of the habitation No. 1, shown in accompanying illustra-
tion fig. 80, has above it at the left a character resembling a cedar tree,
but which denotes smoke. This resembles also the char-
acter to denote spray or water as sj touted by whales, illus-
trations of which are found elsewhere.

The individual seated over the entrance to the habita-
tion. No. 2, is watching the amusements going on a short
distance before him. Nos. .'i and 4 have made use of the
fishrack poles for horizontal bars, and whilt ^o. '.i is astride
of his and gesturing with his conversation with No. 2, No. 4 is making
a turn.

The person indicated in No. .~» is preparing to run, the two remaining
figures in Nos. (5 and 7 acting, perhaps, as coachers.

Fig. HI, taken from the engravings on the ivory pipestem represented
in plate 61, shows a native in the act of standing upon his head
or taking a somersault. The representation is unique, and nothing
approaching this kind of athletic sport has been elsewhere found upon
the specimens in the collection.

The seated figure in fig. 82 is holding with one hand a piece of wood

Fig. 82.

NATIVE MAKINO
A BOW.

hUi,

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

869

Via. 83.
NATIVK8 WRESTLINCI.

r ^

Kig. 84.

FOOTIIAI-I. KICKKI) nV NATIVE

' wood

from which he intends to make a bow; the other hand holding an adz
with whieli the greater part of the superfluous material is rem«)ved ere
beginning the tinal cuts and scrapings to produce the ultimate form on
surface.

The illustration of two men wrestling is reproduce*! in fig. 8.3 from
the pipestems shown in plate (J2. The attitude of
the men is realistic, and shows the clinch in a "<!atch-
as-catchcan" contest.

This, fig. 84, is also reproduced from the same pro-
lific source, the pipestem, «hown in jdate Gl. The
man at the right has kicked the ball into the air,
Avhilo his companion is ready to catch it, as is shown by the outstretched
hands.

Two men engaged in gambling are shown in fig. 8.'). That they are
sitting close together is indicated not only by their ap|)arent proximity
but furthermore by the lepresentation of the foot of one num extending

beyond the back of his vis-a-vis.

Whether the game is i>laye«l with cards, with
sticks, or some other materials, is not determi-
nable.

The ilhistraticm in fig. 8«» is not of uncommon
occuiTence in records of dances, those so indi-
cated being the observers and not the participants in tlie ceremonials.
The i)ipe represented in the native drawing is the Siberian i)attern, an
Eskimo reproduction of the general type being shown in plates 61 and
62, in which the bowl is a vertical stem with a broad, rather flaring top
witli but a narrow and deep perforation, resembling
tlie Chinese pattern in respect to the small quantity of
tobacco which the smoker can consume atone filling.

The effect is attained, however, as Mr. Murdoch in-
forms me "that the smoker will take a deep inhalation
of smoke — and vile smoke it is, generally — retaining it for a considera-
ble time until he is compelled to take breath, when another similar
inhalation of smoke is taken. This is repeated until the small charge
of tobacco is consumed. The result is a most violent fit of coughing,

becoming spasmodic and of such apparent-
ly painful character as to lead one to believe
that the poor victim is going to die at once."
Many of the Indian tribes practice like
inhalations of smoke, the usual combina-
tion among the Dakota tribes consisting of
various kinds of purchased tobacco mixed in varying degrees with the
inner red bark of the red osier Cornus )ttolonifera, or the leaves of TJva
Ursi, found along the elevated lands of the upper Missouri and Yellow-
stone rivers.
The bark or the leaves are chopped up finely in the proportion,

Fig. 8.-..

NATIVKS CiAVHI.lNfJ.

Fig. 86.

NATIVE S.MOKINU I'IPE.

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870

REPOllT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

r'X^^}^3'^

Fig. 87.

DANfE.

usually, of two to one of tobacco, rubbed together in the palm of the
Lund and packed into the deep, narrow tube of the Catlinite pipe.

The outer or dry part of the lips only are placed against the pipe-
stem, and the moment a deep long pull is taken the outer corners of the
mouth are slightly openetl, without removing the lips irom the tip, and
a deep breath taken in order that as the air enters the mouth some of

the smoke held therein ])a8ses
along down the trachea into the
— bronchial tubes, entirely filling
the lungs. The expiration is per-
formed by expelling the smoke
through the nostrils, at the conclusion of which another deep draw at
the stem followed by a like inhalation, this being continued with the
regularity of ordinary breathing, at each inspiration smoke passing
along with the air into the lungs.

Frequent coughing spells result and bronchial troubles are very
common among the males. Tiie opportunities for close observation
were especially good during tiie writer's detail as surgeon at a military
station at a tin»e when the number of Indians upon the ration roll was
13,oU0, and personal experience was abundant also, both in the method
of making and the acquirement of a severe attack of bronchitis, though
of but limited duration.

The group represented in fig. 87 is actively engaged in a dance, the
various attitudes indicating considerable exertion. The seated figure
is holding aloft his shaman tambourine drum, the stroke across the
disk indicating the stick with which he produces the percussion.

'^ ti>^.ff^B ^ "^r. lP^A^^%fr'^/r^'%%d h.\A V A

123456 V 8

10 11 12 13 14 15

Fig. 88.

DANCE AND FEAST.

10 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

The larger figure at the right is the chief officiating personage, and
is engaged in chanting. One hand is directed toward tiie drununer,
while the other is held aloft, in the a<'t of supplicating aid from his
daimoii or guardian spirit.

Fig. 88 is one of the very few illustrations of dances, and is perhaps
the only one that seems to be of a social character, in consequence of a
successful hunt.

No. 1 is a man making the gesture for here, at thin place, having
reference to the village of which he is an inhabitant and of which the
houses are, in part, shown in Nos. 18, 20, 22, 24, and the storehouse,
No. 23. No. 2 is obliterated, and although it appears to resemble a
human figure, it is more probably a peak, similar to the ones shown in
Nos. 3 and 7. Nos. 4 and 5 are the hunters who, in the shelter of
the hill No. 7, are crawling up to within shooting distance of the deer,

:i ii,

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

871

the

resting upon the ground at No. 8. No. denotes a bow and two arrows,
while another arroAv, carried by the rear hunter, is shown above and
between the two figures.

The next portion of the record i)ertains to the feast given at the
dance, the hitter being graphicially jwrtrayed in Nos. 0-17. The drnni-
iners are indicated at either end of the group of dancers, tlie one at No.
being seated upon the ground. Nos. 10 and 11 are rather more
violent in their attitudes tlian Nos. 12 and 13. No. 12 is sho.wn with
the right hand to the mouth to denote the gesture to eat, wliile with
his left he is pointing in the direction of the feast awaiting them.
No. 13 is indicating himself, and also points to the same place as No.
12, indicating that he too will be there. No. 14 is also shown as
making the gesture to eat, eating, or food, while with the other hand
thrown backward is pointing in the direction of the habitations. No.
15 seems to be a(!ting in the nuinner of an usher, holding both hands
toward the place of the food, as if inviting the others to go.

No. 10 is shown with his hands up, a common attitude given to i)er-
sons portrayed as dancing or other excitement, such as surprise or
alarm in hunting, etc., while No. 17 has risen from his place and is using
the drunj, similar to the one at No. 9. The summer habitations are
shown in Nos, 18, 20, and 22, the persons indicated between them being-
members of the households near which they are represented.

No. 23 is a scaffold storehouse, while No. 24 denotes a winter or per-
manent habitation, with one of the inmates on the roof.

and

his

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2 5 3

Fig. 89.
WHAUNO SHIPS AND BOATS, AND VISITINO NATIVES.

In tig. 89 is portrayed an event which seems to have been of interest
to the recorder, or owner of the record. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are whaling
ships; from No. 2 is observed a feather like figure rising from the deck,
between the main mast and mizzenmast, which denotes smoke rising
from the fire used for boiling blubber. At No. 3 the line is secured to
walrus, which is being hauled aboard.

Nos. 4 and 6 represent ships' boats, while No. 5 is a native canoe, the
recorder being indicated at the stem of No. o, in the act of making a
gesture with his left hand, and pointing with his right toward the direc-
tion of the ship No. 1, upon which are two men, the one upon the bow-
sprit of which is returning a gesture sign.

The man at the stern of the last-named ship is also making a hailing
sign to the canoe men at No. 4.

The two crosses at No. 7 are birds, while No. 8 is the walrus which
has been secured by the crew of ship No. 3.

'A,

872

REPOUT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Ill fig. 90, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 represent whaling ships iit anchor, tlie
middle figure being somewhat obliterated by the wearing away of the

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WMALEIirNTKIIS AND SHIPS.

ivory of the bow. The anchor chain in seen at No. 3. Nos. 4 and <i are
the shi]»a' boats in pursuit of whales, the specimen at No. 5 having been
harpooned, while in No. 6 the hunter is reaching down to grasi) the
harpoon, the open hand being clearly indicated. No. 8 is a killer whale,
while Nos. !> and 10 denote seals diving into the sea.

PICTOGRAPHIC RECORDS.

This collection of records ])ertains more particularly to individual
exploits — hunting aiul fishing, traveling and combat. It is practi(?ally
impossible to claasifv all of the records or to relegate them to a spe-
cific subject, as the subjects are frequently not on one single theme,
but embrace a number of ideas upon the same continuous face of
ivory; therefore the records are necessarily classified according to the
import of the majority of characters inscribed.

In the accompanying series ])resented below there appears to be
more allusion to individual performances than the record of an indefi-
nite number of people.

INDIVIDFAL EXPLOITS.

The carving shown in fig. 91, made of a piece of walrus ivory, was
coi)ied from the original in the Alaska Commercial Company, San
Francisco, California, and the interpretations were verified by Vladimir
Naomolf, a Kadiak half breed, to whom reference has already been
made.

No. 1 is a native whose lelt hand is resting against the house, while
the right is directed toward the ground. The character to his right
rei»rcsents a "shaman stick" surmounted by the emblem of a bird — a
"good spirit" — in memory of some departed member of the household.
It was suggested that the grave stick h.ad been erected to the memory
of his wife.

No. 2 represents a reindeer.

No. 3 signifies that one man, the designer, shot and killed another
with an arrow. The elbow of the arm drawing the arrow is seen pro-
jecting behind the back, illustrating close observation on the part of
the artist.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

873

No. 4 denotes that tbe narrator lias made tradinj; expeditions with a
doff sledge.

No. 't is a sailboat, although the elevate<l ])addle signities that that
was the manner in which the voyage was best made. The conspicuous
and abrupt stem specifies that it was a heavy boat, for use in sailing,
and not a baidarka.

Xo. <» represents a dog sled, with the animal hitched up for a Journey.
Tiie radiating lines in the left-hand upper corner of the square contain-
ing the pictograph are the rays of the sun.

No. 7 is a sacred or ceremonial structure. The four figures at the
outer corners of the sipiare reiuesent the young men placed on guard,
armed with bows and arrows, to keei> away those not niembers of the
band, who are depicted as holding a dance. The small s«inaro in the
center of the inclosure represents the lireplace. The angular lines

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!l 1(1 11

Ili;(l>l!l)S CAFiVKI) IN IVilHY.

extending from the right side of the structure to the vertical partition
lino show in outline the subterranean entrance to the structure or
lodge.

No. S is a pine tree, upon which a ]»orcupine is crawling upward.

No. 9, a similar species of tree, from the bark of wliicli a bird [wood-
pecker] is extracting larva' for food.

No. is a bear.

No. 10 represents the owner of the record in his boat holding alott
his doublebladed paddle to call for help to drive lisli into a net.

No. 11 is an assistant fisherman, one who has resi)onded to the call,
and is observed <lriviug fish by beating the water with a stick.

No. 12 represents the net which, as is customary also among many cf
the tribes of the Great Lakes, is usually set in moderately shallow
water.

No. 13, the figure over the preceding character, denotes a whale, with
line and harpoon attached, which was caught by the fisherman during
one of his fishing trips.

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874

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Fig. 92.
TIIHOWINd IIAKPOON

SHOOTlNd HEINDKKH.

A man in u kneeling; poHture, about to throw a gpear at an animal, in
shown in tig. 02. Tho attitude is lifelike and the Nket<;h well made.
An illustration of shooting a reindeer is shown in tig. 93. The man
is lying upon the ground and is using a gun instead of
(H^ a bow and arrow.

^^ The illustration given in tig. 04 is a remarkably clever

bit of engraving, especially in the attitude assumed by
the native in drawing the bow. The arrow has already
been discharged and is on its message of death, but a short distance
from the head of the animal. Immediately in front of the hunter is a
mound upon which is a tree, behind which the hunter approached to
within shooting distancie. The animal is
drawn facing the hunter to indicate the
fa<'t that it was secured.

The flatness and absence of mark- ]i
inj^s upon the mound indicate the ditl'er-
ence between it and a winter habitation.

The bag handle shown on plate 58, tig. 2, presents three panels, on
which are portr.iyals of natural objects. The separating lines consist
of pairs of vertical zig/ag markings, while the front i>anel bears the

figure of a hunter armed with a bow and
arrow in pursuit of reindeer, one of these
animals being indicated in each of the
two remaining panels.

The two individual characters repre-
sented in fig. 0') as Nos. 3 and 5 are
intended to denote the same person. The one, as No. 3, is the hunter
armed with bow and arrow, and by hiding himself behind the trc e, No.
2, lie was enabled to shoot the buck, Xo. 1, when the latter had kept
on grazing to within proper range. Being hidden from view of the doe,
No. 0, by the hill. No. 4, the hunter imitated the call of the male, thus
bringing within range the female. The figure in No. 5 represents, as
above stated, the hunter, but in this additional form in order to give

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Fig. 05.
HCNTINO DEER.

him the gesture of calling or beckoning with the left hand, in the direc-
tion indicated by the extended right arm and hand, the attitude of the
animal also showing that it followed. The hunter has projecting from
his mouth a short black line, denoting voice, produced by whistling or
a decoy whistle.

The sketch shown in fig. 96 is of interest on account of the indica-
tion shown by the artist that the reindeer is wounded and can not

T^ ^-^^^

HUNTKR

Fig. 94.

neiNDEEB.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

875

Via. 116.

lUNTKIiH AKTKH A I'KINDKKK,

Fill. 1(7.

Hl'NTKIl AI'PUOACHlNd WAI.UI'S.

escape being shot by the liunter. The animal is placed in an attitndo
ns it' backin^^ the legs drawn so as to project Mlightly to tlie IVont to
denote its inability to progress in tiiat direction.

The short line in tlu> hand of the middle hnnter is an arrow, which
is being held toward the one shooting. The llgure at the left is qnietly
observing the scene,
snioiiiug his pii»e. •^ - ■-•

A c 1 e \' e r u n d
cleanly cut illustra-
tion is reproduced
in tig. U7, represent

ing a hunter in his baidarka, [laddling toward an ice pan upon which
is quietly reposing a walrus.

All the figures arc lieavily incised t)y vertical lines, the ice alon«'
remaining as a hoUow outline to indicate its trans]nireiit or translucent
coixiition.

The illustration of the two sides of u piece of ivory, tig. 1>8, is from

rtkiawin, in the
I'oint Harrow re
gion of Alaska, an<l
is described by Mr.
Murdoch' as being
a piece of an old snow-shovel edg«^ with freshly incised ligurcs on botli
faces, which the artist said represent«'d his own record. "The figures
are all colored with red ocher. On the obverse the figures all stand
on a roughly drawn gnmnd line. At the left is a man pointing his
rifle at a bear, which stands on its hind legs facing him. Then comes
a she-bear walk-
ing toward the
left, followed by
a cub, then two
large bears also
walking to the
left, and a she-
bear in the same
attitude, fol-
lowed by two
cubs,onebehind

the other. This was explained by the artist as follows: * These are all
the bears I have killed. This one alone (pointing to the "r.ampant" one)
wasbad. All the others were good.' We heard at the time of his giving
the death shot to the last bear as it was charging his comrade, who had
wounded it with his mu/zle loader. On the reverse the figures are in
the s.ame position. The same man points his rifle at a string of three
wolves. His explanation was : 'These are all the wolves I have killed.'"

Fig. 98.
HDNTINfl SCOKE ENdKAVKI) ON IVOKY. (AFTEIl MURDOCH.)

I Ninth Anuiial Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-'88, 1892, p. 362.

876

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, IHftR.

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Plate •'tO, llg. 3, hIiowh h drill bow from Norton Soiiiid. Tlio orna-
iiuMitatioii upon one Hido ronsists of eleven wolves, wliilu on the other
Hide is r(ipresent«!d a herd of reindeer, tlu< herd hein/,' divided into two
]»artH, iM^tween whieli is shown the llj^nre of a wolf.

It may be that the above instance rerords the fa<'t of the owner
bcin*; a snccessful hunter, and thus records a successful exploit,
though the uniformity in outline of the animals su^^jfcsts a tendency

also toward ornamentation as
well as jMutrayins an occur-
lence.

The fungus-ash box shown on
plate oO, flg. ."), shows along
the upperline of illustrations a
liunter with throwing stick and
wea])on running after some
binls which he is desirous of
securing.

lJl)on the lower line the same
person, perhai)8, is shown be-
hind a sledge riding his dog in
pulling the conveyance.

When the box is reversed,
there will be seen upon the upper
line a clump of trees at the
right, while to the left of these
is a hunter kneeling in the atti-
tude of shooting at a bear; be-
hindthe latter is another animal,
perhai)s a unite.

TTpon the lower line is a ship,

toward which two native boats

are dire(!ted. The face at the

left is apparently simply an

attempt at caricature.

The hunting tablet found by ]Mr. Murdoch at Point Barrow, and

before referred to, is represented in plate 65, tig. 1. The description

given by him is in connection with the illustration given on plate 50,

fig. 1, referring to the reverse of tlie tablet.

The accompanying illustration, fig. 99, and description is from iSIur-
doch's report on the Point Barrow Eskimo," and appears to be one of
the four specimens brought back by him. The tablet is of ivory, 4.8
inches long and 1 inch wide. On each face is an ornamental border
inclosing a number of incised ttgures, which probably represent actual
scenes, as the tablet is not new.

Fig. 99.
IirNTINd SCnUK ENURAVKU ON IVOKY (AFTEK MURDOCH).

'Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethuology, 1887-88, 1892, p. 361 et seq.

ite.-.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

877

Mr. Murdoch say.s:

Tbu tl^iirfH oil tlitt (i)iv<M'Hu fac«« aru cohired witli hmI oclior. At th)^ ii|i|ier tiid,
NtantliiiK on a i;r«>MH liiwt, with his htMtil tnwiird tho oiid, Ih n riulrly drawn man holding
hJH ri({lit hand n]» and ]iiN left down, with tli«) lin^i'iH (MitNpruad. At hiH left Ntaiidit
a boy with both bandH down. Thumt tl^iiruN probably reprt^HiMit tho hunter and hi.s
Hon. .liiHt bfl]ow the rroHN line in a ninn ruiftiii); a npear to Htriktt an animal wiiich in
])<>rhapH inoant for a reindettr witiiont horiiH. Thra«< d«-«>r, aUo without horim, Htand
witii thtnr feet on one border with thi>ir headn toward the np]M>r end, and on the
other bordi-r near the end are two biickH with lar^e afttlerH heading the otiier way,
and beliind them a man in a kaiak. Itetween him and the
animal wliieb the iirHt man i» Hpearin^ is an object wbieh
may reprcHent tliu ereitcent iiioim. The Htory may perhaps be
freely translated as follows: "When the nn»oii was yoniifj.
the man aud his hou killed hIx reindeer, two of them biicka
with larjjfe antlers. One they speared on land, the rest they
chase I with the kaiak.'"

On the reverse tiie liKiires and the border are eolored black
with sout. In the left-hand lower row is a she bear and her
enb lieatlinK to the left, followed by a man who is about to
shoot an arrow at them. Then eome two mort) Itears heading
toward the right, and in the right-hand lower corner is a
whale with two tloats attadied to him by a harpoon line.
Above this is an iimiak with four men in it approaching
another whale which has already received one liar])oon with
its two tloats. The harpoon which is to be thrust at him
may be seen sticking out over the bow of the boat. Then
come two whales in a line, one heading to the left and one to
tlie right. In the left-hand upper corner is a tigiiro which
may rejiresent a boat bottom up on the staging of four posts.
We did not learn the actual history of this tablet, which was
brought down for sale with a niinilier of other things.

Mr. W. Boyd Diiwkins figures an arrow straight-
eiier of walrus ivory (tig. 100) wbicli is almost an
exact reproduction in lorni of tliat; shown in jdateS,
tig. 1. The latter is from the Diomode Islands, and
bears the tigure of a reindeer only. That shown by
Mr. Dawkins bears along one edge a row of reindeer,
while at the opposite margin of the same si<le a
series of seven figures, five of which resemble the
human form, each with antler and headdress, and
outstretched arms, from the sleeves of which are
suspended what appears to denote fringe — short
seiiations. Two figures are place<l in profile and in that position more
nearly resemble reindeer rampant, though the characters are evidently
intended to represent the same idea as that expressed in the five
preceding ones.'

Another illustration from the same work aiul author relates to a
hunting scene, two natives being represented as in pursuit of two
reindeer, one of which has been shot and is lying down.^

Fijj. 100.
ARROW STRAKillTEXER.

' Early Man in Britain. London, 1880, p. 238, tig. 92.

Idea , p. 239, fig. 93.

) ■>

i j

'd. ■

878

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Plate 22, fig. 1, represents an ivory drill bow from Kotzebue Sound.
The implement is 15 inches in length and seven-eighths of an inch in
width. Betides being undulating the specimen is polished down at
ii; Nervals of 2 inches in such a manner as to represent or produce slight
cf istrictions, as will be observed from the illnstration. It represents a
hunting record, the hunter or owner of the si)ecimen being shown at the
left in the attitnde of shooting at a bear, whi«*h animal is accomi)anied
by seven others of the same ' pecies. Some of these are separated by
vertical lines, thus forming partitions in the record. At the extreme
right is another illustrntion af whale hnnting, and to intelligently un-
derstand the engravin;; the bow must be turned around. The hnnter is
here represented in his kaiak, above which is an iiTegnlar circle con-
nected with the whale by a sharply deHne«l line. This represents a
hari)oo'. cord and the seal-skiir float which is usually attached to impede
+lie progress of tlie captive. The whrle is rei)resented with great
accuracy. Above the outline of the kaiak will be seen a native draw-
ing a bow, the arrow being directed forward toward a flock of geese,
uumbciiiig seven, one i)receding the other, in a very lifelike attitude.

IMate 68, fig. 2, .shows an old and age-stained specinien of ivory, also
representing a drill bow, from Kotzebue Sound. The under surface is
the one represented in the illnstration. At the extreme left are five
bear skins and a long-tailed animal which nuvy denote the otter. To
the right of the vertical line — the line denoting the separation between
two records — are engraved the figures of three white meii, or perhaps
only two, as the two are of the figures portrayed with the rimmed
hats. One of these is handing a small objeirt to his coujpanion, Avhose
hands appear to be stuck in his pockets. To the right of this individual
are six cone-like objectf connected at the apex by a continuous line,
and between which are rude upright objects resembling columns of
smoke. These are summer habitations, with pvobably indications of
smoke fn)m the cam]> fires. In the middle of the record are two cone-
like structures, dencjting mountains, between which is a semicircle
deeply engraved with short lateral lines representing a ccmventional
tree symbol with brandies at either end and upon the sides. The sig-
nification of this appears to be that between two iriountain regions
occurs an abundance of timber. This method of i)ortraying an abun-
dance of anything \A very sin)ilar to a common i)ractice adopted by many
of the Indian tribes of the United States, especially the OJibwa and
some of the Shoshonian tribes.' The four triangular figures to the right
represent huts, while a continuous line extends from the mountain
toward the right and connects with a man disg.iiseJ in a wolf skin.
The signification of this is not clear. It may denote the act of a shanuin
in such disguise approaching the habitations and extracting something
therefrom, or he may intend harm to one of the occupants; or it may

'Compare with portrnyal of mountains nnd adjoining marah on the "("liuckche
Y«;ir record," iu plate 81, at lig.'26.

[ot/ebue Sound.
18 of an inch in
jlislied down at
>r produce slight
It represents a
ug sliown at the
is accomi)anied
re separated by
At the extreme
intelligently un-
[. The hunter is
f^nlar circle con-
lis represents a
ached to impede
)ted with great
1 a native draw-
i flock of geese,
lifelike attitude,
en of ivory, also
under surface is
nie left are five
i the otter. To
aration between
incii, or perhaps
ith the rimmed
nipanion, whose
f this individual
continuous line,
ing columns of
y indicathms of
d are two cone-
is a semicircle
a conventional
sides. The sig-
onntain regions
aying an abun-
dopted by many
the OJibwa and
ures to the right
1 the mountaiii
in a wolf skin,
act of a shauujn
cting something
ants; or it may

on the "(.'hnckche

Report of U. S. National Museum, 1895.— Hoffma

Plate 68.

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GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

879

signify that in this disguise he was enabled to approach walruses and
shoot them. This method of disguise was practiced by some of the
prairie tribes of Indians west i-f the Mississippi Hiver. Many shy ani
nials may tlius be approached to within shooting distance, while the
liuman form would at once alarm them and cause them to escape.
Three walruses are drawn npon the record, and as their heads are
placed in the diretition of the human figure, it is believed that this is
intended to denote their capture by the hunter, this practice being
very common. On the contrary, had they not been secured, their heads
would have been placed in an opposite direction. At the extreme right
are six bear skins upon the ground, in an upright i)osition, very much
resembling the conventionalized ligures of skins shown in plate 2l*,

tig. '".

On the opposite side or upper curve of the bow is a very rare char-
acter; in fact, the only instance obs<Mved in the entire collection in the
possession of the Xational Museum in which the pudendum is indicated.

This character was referred to in conversation with Mr. Murdoch,
who questioned the writer with reference to its occurrence in picto-
grai)hs from Point Barrow. At fciie time of the conversation the
engraving had not yet been observed. The creature immediately to
the right of this is a walrus which has been harpooned, as th'> projecting
weapon illustrates, and through it is the tiying harpoon line connecting
it with the hunter in the bow of a fine large umiak occupied by seven
hunters. The next character is an umiak hurrying to the right in
pursuit of a whale, the harpoon having been thrown forward and
apparently into the animal. The next figure is that of a human being
with one hand to his head and the other to his groin, the sharply incised
line extending downward from the middle of the abdomen. The sig-
nification of this is not clear. Further toward the right are the out-
lines of two kaiaks, the shapes of whidi are very graceful, while only
one shows the presence of a hunter, the other being incomplete. The
record is concluded upon this side of the bow by the figures of two
walruses.

Upon one side are a number of walruses and otlicr animals, wliile
near the left is the portrayal of a wlnile, to which the harpoon line and
float seems attached. Some short figures are introduced to fill up the
s[»ace. On the remaining side we have at the extreme left a seiiu; net,
to the right of which are several animals not identifiable with certainty,
as the engravings are very crude on this record. A number of wal-
ruses, a whale, and a man in a kaiak o(!CUpy the greater portion of the
remaining part of the record, while a single triangular habitation is
shown, together with *wu crudely drawn figures of wolves.

Plate 21, tig. 1, sliows a drill bow from Cape Darby, wliere it was
collecti'd by ^fr. E. W. Nelson. It is of ivory, and measures Vih inclies
ill length. It is a hunting record, the story beginning at the right
iiaiul. The hunter is shown with gun raiseU, directed toward a herd of

m ,i

i a

'mn

880

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

'Mr-

reindeer. Above fourteen of these animals will be observed black spots
denoting bullets, and indicating that that number of animals Mere shot
The remaining five have no such marks, which indicates that that num-
ber were with the herd, but were not secured. The peculiarity of this
uni([ue record is the indication of the bullets, each denoting capture
of the game, whereas in most other records from the same region the
indication of the capture of game consists in the heads of the animals
being turned toward the hunter; those animals seen and not captured
being turned in an opposite direction.

By reversing the bow so as to bring to proper view the small figures
at the left-hand upper corner, the reader will perceive at the left an
elevated storehouse, to the right of which is a small mound represent-
ing a winter habitation, while next to the right of this is another struc-
ture of similar character. The main figure portrayed has a thin line
extending from himself to one of the reindeer of the preceding group,
indicating that another hunter captured it by means of a lasso or rope.

On the under side of the bow is a seal-hunting scene. At the left
are five kaiaks, four of the hunters being represented with the paddle

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iMj:. 101.

RECORD (IF IirNT. ALASKA.

uplifted horizontally to indicate the i)resence of game and to call the
attention of other hunters lO the animals. To the right of the fifth
boat is a fish. The next character represents a kaiak, the occupant of
which also holds his paddle horizontally above him, as he is approach-
ing two seals, and indicates to the occipants of the umiak to approach
and capture them. One of the liunterB in the umiak is portrayed M'ith
a gun. The figure at tlie extreme right represents a fish.

On the edge of this drill bow is a series of figures ap])arently
intended to fiP up the space. The twelve beginning at the left repre-
sent seals facing the right. Then come five larger animals facing the
left, all of these apparently half in water, their projecting heads and
bodies very much resembling some characters used for the portrayal of
water fowl. The next character, which is T-shaped, is a conventional-
ized whale tail. The next character to the right is not sufficiently
clear to admit of certain identification, but the next four represent
deer. Beyond the vertical bar are sixteen rudely executed figures of
seals.

Fig. 101 is a record of a hunting expedition, reproduced from an ivory
drill bow in the collection of the Alaska Commercial Company, San

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

881

l<>an('isco, Calitornia. The uniiiials secured ])y the hunter are shown,
as well as those observed by him during the trip, but not secured.

Nos. 1 and 2 represent deer; Xo. -i is the outline of a porcupine, next
to which is the habitation of the hunter, No. 4. Smoke is seen issuing
from the roof of the hut, while at the door is the hunter's wife with a
vessel. No. 5. At No. «5 is the outline of the hunter himself in the atti-
tude of shooting an arrow, thus indicating the weapon used by him.
Nos. 7, 8, and 9 are beavers; Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are martens;
No. ir» is a vessel, according to the interpretation given by Naomoff,
although there are no specific characters to identify it ditterent fiom

r\^. 102.

IIUNTINO SroBF. ENOnAVKD ON IVOKY. (AFTKH MfniiOPK.)

the preceding; No. 16 is a land otter; No. 17 re[)rcsents a bear, while
No. 18 is a fox; No. 10 is a walrus, the tusks being perceptible at the
left side; No. 20 is a seal, while No. 21 represetits a wolf.

As above remarked, the animals are all indicated; those with the
heads turned toward the hunter were secjured, while those with the
head turned away from him were observed, but not secured.

The story told by the pictograph, together with the text in the
Kiate^aniut dialect of the fnnuit language, is as follows:

Ilui'nuna'gra hui'puqtu'a picu'qulu'a mus'tpdi'qnut. pamu'qtulit'

1 (t'roiii) iiiy place 1 wont liiiiitiiiK (for) skinn. MiirtoiiH

(settlement)

NAT MIS Of) 5(»

882

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

taqi'nir*n, ami'daduk' a^laluk', a'quia'mttk piqu'a a^laluk';

Ave, wcuHul one, liiml ottor I'might one:

kuquMu'liuiiumuk' a^laluk', tun^liiinnk tiVguqli'ugu' inclu'ganuk',

wolf one, (leer (I) killed two,

pe'luk pinalMinnk, nu'nuk pit'quni', maklak'mnk pit'quiii',

heiiver throe por('ii|)ine (I) cniiKht none. Heal (I) caught none,

atshi'auamuk' pit'quni', iiaqi'lamuk' pit'quni', tagu'^amuk'

wulruH (I) cauglit none, fox (I) caught none, bear

pit'quni'.

(I) canght none.

In tlie collection from Toint liarrow is one example, of which an
illustration is here reproduced in lig. 102. It is a piece of the ed^ie of
an old snow shovel, and measures 4.2 inches long, with a loop of thong
at the upper edge to admit of suspension. It is covered on both sides
with freshly incised figures, colored with red ocher, and is described
by Mr. Murdoch as follows:'

The obverse ia horderefl with a single narrow line. At tlio left is a man staiKliny
witli arms ontstretehed, sujiporting himself by two slender staft's as long as he is.
In the middle are three rtide (ignres of tents, very high and slender. At the right
is a hornless reindeer heading to the left, with a man standing on its back with

Fig. ion.

HUNTmO SCORE ENORAVED ON IVORY. I'OINT BARUOW. (AFTER .MnR',)OfH.>

his legs straddled apart and his arms nplifted. On the reverse there is no bordt^r,
but a single dog and a man who supports himself with a long stall' are dragging an
empty rail sledge toward the left.
I find no mention of the nse of any such scores among the eastern Eskimo. * * *

The engraving represented in fig. lO.'i is from a Hat luece of the out-
side of a walrus tusk 9.7 inches long and 1.8 wide at the brojider end.
The engravings are very crude, when compared with some of the work
irom the west coast of Alaska. The specimen is one of the four pieces
brought back from Point Barrow 1)y Mr. Murdoch, and the foHowing is
his description.^

The (ignres are incised on one facie only and colored with red oilier. The facc^ is
divided lengthwise into two panels by a horizontal line. In tlie upper panel, at the
left, is a man facing to the right ami i)ointing a gun at a line of three? standing deer,
facing toward the left. Two are bucks and one a doe. Then <'()me two bucks, rc)»-
resented without legs, as if swinniiing in the water, followed by a rude iigure of a
man in ii kaiak. Below the line at tlie left is an umiak with (i\e men and then
a I'ow of twelve conventionalized whales' tails, of which all but the tirst, second,
and fifth are joined to the horizontal line by a short straight lino. The record may
lie freely translated as follows: "I went out with my gun and killed three largo

'Ninth Amraal Keport of the Hnrenu of Ethnology, l«87-88, IX'Jl', pp. 363, 364, tig %3.
"Idem, p. 362, 363.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

883

rtimloer, two luirkw, ami u doc. I also Mpcarod two largo biukH in tbc wat<'r. My
wlialing crow have taken ten whales." The uumber of whales is open to .suspicion,
as they just till up the board.

Ill the above description the author does not state, as he has<loiie in
another instance, that the interpretation was ohtaine<l from tlie nativ^e
owner, and it may therefore be assumed that he ventures the interpre-
tation liimsell'. The statement at first that the animals were deer and
hiter on reindeer is confusing in the attempt to <lifferentiate betveeen
the objective portrayal by the natives of tho two species of animals.
It is evident that the reindeer is intended, because of the unusually
long, narrow antlers and their forward direction in their position upon
the head. It is unfortunate that no other pictograi»hs from Point liar-
row are at hand, in ()rder that satisfactory comparison with other rep-
resentations of deer and reindeer might be made so as to make note of the
specific ditterences, as we find so elaborately portrayed in the records
from Sledge Ishiinl, Norton 8ound, and elsewhere.

The reference to a femal animal is perhaps a random one, because
the natives of Alaska, as well as the aborigines of North America
generally, are too cautious and matter of fact to portray that which
tliey do not intend. The horns upon the third animal — the doe( ?) — are
too strikingly like those upon the two preceding specimens to denote
anything different from them in sex.

The statement that "the number of whales is open to suspicion" is
worth noting, as fre(iuently a large number of anything is denoted by
an indefinite number of conventional indications of such objects.
Various examples are given in which smih large numbers have been
engraved with an ornanumtal or decorative motive, leading one to sus-
pect the true import intended by the re(;order. A common example is
found in the ordinary "war bonnet" of eagle i>lumes. worn by several
of the so-called Prairie tribes of Indians. The single feather is gained
by a warrior when he eithe;- kills an enemy or is one of the first four to
reach and toiicli the fallen enemy with the cou]) stick, a bow, or any
other object. Tlieact of being able to rea*'h the enemy in such manner
is deemed by the Indian to denote that he is nearer and more in danger
than the one who may have fired the fatal shot. After a number of
jdumes have been thus gained by a warrior, each to indicate an exi)loit
of valor, the number becomes inconvenient for attachment to the scalp
lock and the long plumed bonnet is permitted, provided the one so
entitled thereto is able to purchase siU'Ji a decoration, the present value
of eagle plumes varying from $1 to $li each.

In similar manner an indefinite number of items, to denote many, is
often portrayed in pictorial records of various rudely remote i)eoples;
and it is probable that the above is only another instance, of which
others are noted in the present paper.

'?'w ''

:fi

< !!

884

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

HUNTING AND FISHING.

The chara<5tera in plato 09, ti{?. 3, at Nos. 1, 2, aud 3, denote wbalen,
wbile at Nos. 4, 5, «>, and 7 are indicated four American whaling ships.
The one at No. 7 i.s placed in a foreshortened position, something sel-
don« expected to be so reproduced by primitive peoples.

No. 8 appears to be an ice pan, at the base of which two men seem to
be in the water with hands uplifted to attract attention; while No. 9 is
a seal flsher hastening forward. The harpoon is seen resting upon the
rack upon the fore i)art of the canoe, as is also perceptible in No. 10.
The large bodies behind the occupants of the boat are lloats used to
retard the swimming and escape of harpooned seals.

Tho iiiunuer of huntinjr sea otter is as foll«iWH: In Alaska the Aleuts or otlioi'
niitiv<;s :ir<3 tlio ottur hunters. A larg<« niunbor of Lidarkas take provisions for a
day or two, and when the weather is calm, put out, often out of sight of land. When
arrived on the banks most frequented by these animals, the bidarkas form a long
line, the leader in thu middle. They paddle softly over the water so as to make no
disturbance. If any Aleut sees an otter's nose, which is usually the only part above
tho surface, he throws his dart and at the same time elevates his ]>addle iierpendicu-
larly in the air. The ends of tho liiui dart forward, so as to en<ircle tho animal in a
cordon of ))idarkas, aud everyone is on the watch for tho second appearance of tho
otter. The same )>rocess is repeated until tlie animal, worn out with diving, lies
exhausted on the surface, an easy prize for Iuh captors. The skin belongs to tho
hunter who first struck it, or to him who struck nearest tho head.'

Plate 09, fig. 2. Capture of polar bear | ?1. The signilication of tl e
illustratiou is that a bear was observed eating a seal, wlien the natives
of the village at No. 9 went forward in the canoes, Nos. 5 and 0, when
one of the bravest made the attack with a spear. The seal is indicated
at No. 1.

The figure at No. 4 is not explained; while at No. 8 a canoe is still
resting upon the scaftbld drying.

In plate 09, lig. 1, is a record of a whale and seal hunt. No. 1 is a
seal which has been <!aptured by the two hunters, Nos. 2 aud 3, aud is
being dragged to shore for return home. Tlie hunter is carrying his
seal lance before him like a staff, while No. 3 is carrying his at a charge.
Nos. 4, 5, aud are baidarkas with the oarsmen within, the foremost
individual in No. having hari)ooned a whale, which is heading away,
spouting. The object between the boats, Nos. 5 and 0, is a seal diving-
out of harm's way. The hunter at No. 8 has caught a seal. No. 10, and
on the line is a small disk which denotes the float used. In some picto-
graphs the disk represents the opening in the ice, through which the
line is dropped, altliough this may be in the air and lesemble a float.

No. 11 is indefinite, while Nos. 12 and 13 denote the summer or tem-
porary habitJitions, erected for r short sojourn only, until the meat
has been secured which is being placed upon the rack. No. 14, by the
person shown at the left end, in that employment.

' Dall, Alaska aud its Kesources, i)p. 490, 491.

k,^

nrbales,
; 8hip8.
11 g sel-

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No. 9 is
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, when
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is still

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aud is
lug his
hargo.
remost
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diving-
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) picto-
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! meat
by the

WirtJ-.

Report of U. S. NttiontI MuMum, 189S,— Hoffman,

itrmatwarM "^ mi^nSht ■fc.Jl.llirff il fiiOCn^ftA' iL.rtilJlilMl!^ ^-

1 8 3

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Records on Ivoi

Plate 69.

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7 6 10 U la 18 14

>^^rf*HiM - rihtfintf- 1l^-t^

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i^--4tdBjar ->AaA ^^»»4 r^ HtAy ^.ja^.^

8 9

Records on Ivory Rods.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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►

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

33 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. U5S0

(716)873-4503

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l>At3,Uii!C

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

885

Tho vertical Htrokcs continuing beyond this to the end oi' the record
are simply ornamental, the s]>ace being deemed too small for further
records.

At Nos. 16 and 17 are two baidarkas to indicate that the seal was
captured while on a hunt by boat.

The .accompanying illustration, in plate (>9, fig. 4, represents a Heet
of canoes the natives having gone on a liunt, although the leading
umiak only is shown to be engaged in harpooning a whale, No. 7, which,
<|uite unusually, is portrayed with the tail projecting from the water.
The animal in front of it is a seal. The No. 9 character dentttes a
se<al diving out of the way. One of the men in No. 12 boat is making
a signal of surprise to the boatmen behind, as he has observed the
whale in sight and has thus given the alarm as well.

No. 1 seems to have been intended for a specific character, but may
have remained unfinished, merely touching up the right-hand end so as
to be ornamental. The two figures in Nos. 2 and 3 indicate wolves,
the number captured by the party in *'ie baidarka, No. 4, No. 5 is a
whaler observed by the hunters.

Fig. 104.
HIVAL WHALK HUNTERS.

An illustration of rivalry in hunting the whale is given in fig. 104,
but the sequel does not appear. The two boats were pursuing the same
animal, which is shown spouting, and the harpoon throwers are in the
attitude of casting their weapons at the same instant.

The etching is strongly and artistically executed.

Plate 64, fig. 2, represents a very old ivory bow drill from the l)io-
mede Islands. The specimen is actually brown with age and bears
incisions upon four sides. The surface shown in the illustration bears
at the left a large umiak in which are four hunters, the one in the bow
being represented as throwing a harpoon toward an approaching
whale. Beyond this figure is a hunter in his kaiak who has thrown
his harpoon at a whale, the latter being represented with the head pro-
jecting vertically from the water. The short irregular character in the
stern of the kaiak represents the inflated seal-skin fioat. Two (»ther
whales in this upright position are shown to the riglit of the above
mentioned, and they are approached from the right l)y two hunters in
a large umiak, the one in the bow being also represented as having
cast a harpoon, the line extending from his hands to the animal. At
the extreme right is a hunter in his kaiak. Upon the opposite side of
the specimen, beginning at the left, is a walrus being dragged forward
by four men. To the right of this group are shown four kaiaks each
with its hunters, and each hunter having his harpoon elevated horizon-
tally above his head as in the act of throwing. Behind the hunters

886

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

i^ »■

:,i:^

1 1^'

i it

are represented the ii»ua1 figures of the inflated seal skins used in
connection with the harjioon line. Three large figures of walruses
are next sliown, upon the bsusk of the first being portrayed a young
one. At the right of the upright walrus is an umiak containing f(nir
hunters wlio are traveling toward the right in pursuit of a whale,
towards which the hunter in the bow of the umiak is casting his har-
poon. Upon the upper narrow edge of the rod are a number of small
figures, at the extreme left six natives being shown, each with one arm
elevated, and a small line extending from the hand to the head, very
much suggesting the use of the pipe as in the act of smoking. Three
seals are next drawn, beyond which are tw<t kaiaks, and beyond these
the figures of six seals. The entire series of characters are arranged
with such apparent regularity as to suggest more of an attempt at
ornamental decoration than the ])ortrayal of any experience in hunt-
ing. The narrow face opposite to this bears two horizontal parallel
lines within which are a number of narrow cross lines and two ci)cular
indentations, neither of which appear to have any special significance
further than an attempt at simple ornamentation.

Another illustration of whale and seal hunting is given in plate 70,
fig. 1. The four creatures indicated by No. 1 are seals, toward which
the native in the canoe is paddling. No. 2. Above him is a small cross
denoting a bird in flight. The spouting whale, shown in No. .'{, is har-
pooned by the man in the bow of the baidarka. No. 4, while the man
behind hinj is holding aloft his catch — a large fish — while with his right
hand he is also calling attention by the gesture of surprise. The others
in the boat are paddling to keep up with the whale.

Nos. 5 and appear to be seals, although the latter resembles more
nearly the smaller whales, as drawn in other pictographs, yet this can
scarcely be, as the hunter. No 7, is lying upon the ground and resting
his gun upon a ridge or rock, in the attempt to shoot the animals.

The hunter at No. 8 is stealthily coming up to No. 7, carrying a gun
or lance.

No. denotes three seals, while No. 10 is a hunter awaiting tiieir
approjich, lie lying behind a small heap of what, by its remaining
untouched by the graver, would appear to be ice.

No. 11 is a boat being cariied out of the water, a whale. No. 12. hav-
ing been killed and ready to be cut up. No. l.'J is a baidarka containing
some returning whales, while No. 14 is a seal, the hunter taking it to
his habitation at No. 15, the interior view being disclosed, showing
within two of the hunter's family, one seated upon the floor while the
other is addressing some words to him, or her, as denoted by the atti-
tude of the hands. Another permanent dwelling is indicated at No.
1(), the smoke rising out of the smoke hole, while the owner is at the
side entering into conversation with the others because of the return
of the lucky hunter.

The accompanying fig. 105 is interesting because two ditt'erent pur-

GBAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

887

suits are representeil, one hniug interrupted in order to prosccate
another. Tlie natives liad gone out in their baidarkaH to lish, as indi-
cated by tlie middle figure of No. 2 group holding up two fish which
had been caught, and the nutn No. 4 also liaving a hu-ge salmon (f)
attached to a pole. A whale was observed siMiuting, No. 1, when the
boatmen started after him, the foremost one darting his harpoon into
(be animal while the one on the stern began to make signals, calling to
his companions tliat there was game in sight. The signal is the com-
mon one of holding aloft, iiorizon tally, an oar so that it may be seen by
tlioso toward whom it is held and intended to be seen. The signal was
observed, as we perceive in No. li the three men pushing into the water
the baidarka, lying on its side, the middle man holding the harpoon
while the one at the right is pushing at the vessel. No. 4, as already
stated, has a fish attached to a i)ole; No. 5 is making gestures, also
calling to others to come, while No. 6 is seen walking toward the shore
with a rod, probably intended for an oar.

The three small crosses in a horizontal line above No. 3 denote birds
flying in air.

Plate 00, lig. I, consists of a sliort ivory handle for carrying a kantag
or bucket. It is a very old, yellowish-brown piece of ivory, and was

tfJ^^^X^I^

Fi>;. 1(15.
WIIA).E UUM.

obtained at Hi. Michaels. The engraving is charai'teristic of the locality,
being deep and boldly cut. Upon the upper surface siiown in tig. 1
appears an umiak with four hunters, the one in the bow preparing to
throw his harpoon toward a whale. In front of the latter is another
iimiak, the man in the bow of which is also throwing his harpoon to a
whale, while in front of the latter is a projecting fluke, indicating an
animal of similar species descending into the water, while to the right
is an umiak, theoc(!upant of which is endeavoring to throw his harpoon
into the whale just referred to. At the extreme right is another umiak
with four men, the one in the l)ow also harpooning a whale. The head
of the latter is drawn very much in imitation of a tuskless walrus, and
might be mistaken for that animal, or a seal, but for the spray of water
which is represented as being thrown from the blow holes. Turning
the handle around, we perceive advancing from the right two umiaks with
masts erect, upon which are several indefinite figures. A little farther
on, however, is shown a whale to which a line is attached, indicating
that he has been harpooned, while the shapeless figure referred to may
possibly indicate the inflated skin which is always attached to impede
progress in the case of an escaping monster of this kind. The curious

888

RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

1:;

figure a Hliort distance above the whale and directly opposite to tbe
Huko S])oken of in the record above, represents an island with its ele-
vated center and precipitous sides. Upon the other side of the top
carving tlie drawings are a little more delicate. Two of the most con-
spicuous characters on the left side represent seal nets. The two
umiaks are proceeding in the direction of a whale which appears to
have been harpooned, as at the end of a long thin line there appears
attached the usual tioat. The figure at the extreme end is that of a
seal, while the one to the left of it may be another animal of the same
species. Between the latter and the whale is a very small and very
delicately drawn kaiak. The man represented has a i)addle, while a
spear projects backward and upward behind him.
\ On the under surface of the bow, between two parallel lines but a
quarte'" of an inch apart, are about twelve characters denoting various
animals which the hunter wishes to intimate he has killed. Some of
them can be identified, while others can not, the drawing being rather
crude.

The specimen shown in plate 59, fig. 2, is from Cape Prince of Wales,
and represents a variety of hunting records. Beginning at the left
hand along the lower edge is visible a very crudely carved figure of a
native with a spear, following two bears. To the right is a native
kneeling, preparing to shoot. The next four figures represent umiaks
loaded with native hunters going to sea. These are followed by the
figure of a whale which is being harpooned by the hunter in the bow of
an umiak immediately to the right. The next figure is that of a dog,
and the next a native who has hold of a thong by whicii he is leading
another dog. Then we observe a hunter dragging a seal, while a short
distance above this are small crosses representing birds. The next is
a walrus, to the right of which" is a dog dragging a sledge upon which
is seated the owner. Turning the bow around, we perceive at the left
four >-shaped figures, indicating the end of both records. The first
figure i)rojectiug from the base line is a whale's fiuke, then several
small figures to represent walruses, then two men arc observed grasping
hands, with apparently a spear between them. A large umiak is shown
in front of another walrus, two of the hunters in which have raised
their spears to cast toward some walruses lying upon a fioating cake
of ice. To the right of these animals is represented a seal being
dragged by three hunters. These are preceded by another group of
three, who are also dragging home a seal. A single native is next
shown, with a line directed to a spot near the base line, which denotes
a seaFs head. The. large fin-like character represents a fiuke, as in the
first figure of this record. An umiak is then shown, one of the natives
in which is in the act of harpooning a whale, while a native in one of
the other umiaks has also a line attached to him. The record is con
eluded by aitother umiak containing four men pursuing a walrus.
Upon the under side are a number of illustrations of hunters, some

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

889

harpooning walruses, while others appear to be after some reindeer
who liave taken to the water. Along the narrow t'dges are also repre-
sentations of various objects, one side being tilled more than half of
its length by a procession of dog sledges, the remainder being filled
with sealers upon ice does, a whale, and some boatmen. The other
edge represents some very deei>ly incised and grai)hic outlines of boats
and marine hunters, the record terminating at om; end with some Hying
birds, while at the other two indiv iduals dragging a seal are shown.

I'late 22, Ag. 5, is a dril! bow from Kot/cbue Sound. The sjiecimeu
measures H5^ inches in length. A se(;tional view of the specimen is
lozenge shaped, so that there are both above an<l below two fsices upon
which records are engraved, making a total of four records. As repre-
sented in the illustration, the record upon the lower side consists of
seal and whale hunting scenes. At the extreme left is a rude outline
of an umiak, within which are crude representations of human beings.
The vessel is very close upon an immense whale, which is evidently
escaping from them in the direction of another umiak which appears
to be approaching it. The oblong ligure to the right of the last named
umiak is an inverted boat i»laced upon scafl'olding for the purpose of
drying. Some partly eroded figures are seen between the bow of the
boat and three men, one above the other, who are portrayed in the act
of dragging home an immense seal, licyond this are three umiaks
filled with hunters, while still farther to the right are two or three
walruses swimming in the water. To the right of the last namtMl is a
figure very much resembling the conventional outline of a wolf, while
beyond that, to the right, is a low elongated structure, heavily etched,
which represents a winter habitation. Above the entrance is a human
figure, with arms extended, as if attracting attention to something.
Beyond this structure, to the right, is a very delicately engraved scaf-
fold, upon which food or other similar materials are placed for safety.

Along the u[)per surface of this bow, beginning where the previous
story ended, we find a storehouse erected on stilts attached to the ordi-
nary winter habitation, upon and about wliich are the outlines of some
human beings. A food rack is erected above the entrance to this habi-
tation, from the horizontal bar of which are suspended objects which
are probably pieces of meat or fish, as the occupaitts appear to be seal
hunters, two of them being rei)reseuted in the act of dragging home
seals. Just to the right of this is a grazing deer whose legs are
unnaturally long, and in front of this is an umiak hohling four hunters.
The two small figures to the right of the last named are seal heads
protruding from the water. Beyond this is another umiak with four
hunters whose arms are in various attitudes as if in earnest conversa-
tion. The small mound like figure at the bow of this boat represents
the shore, and immediately to the right are shown three natives drag-
ging home upon its back a huge seal. Beyond this animal are other
hunters similarly engaged. The oblong outline somewhat resembling

890

UEPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 189r.

a canoe lying on its side can not be deterniined. To thu right of thi»,
however, is another figure of a seal being dragged toward tite riglit,
and approaching two men whose arms are uplifted as if in joy at
receiving aasistaiwe. Tlie partly obliterated figure of a human being
is seen approaching the entrance to one of the ordinary winter habita-
tions, from the door of which, as well as from the middle portion,

▼ ^ ^r PfciWn'^^ 'iiiMm»«.

Fig l(i«.

WIIAI.K IIITNTERS.

appear two vertical sticks with small figures at the top, both repre-
senting votive oA'erings. Th«' scaflbld at the right represents a store-
house used for food or grain.

In fig. 1(M) is presented another illustration of the indication, picto-
rially, of what the hunter desired, or saw, and how nuich thereof he
secured. The three men in the baidarka are headed toward two whales,
the foremost one of the funncr, lie in the bow, being roi>resenti'd in the
act of casting a harpoon, the dotted line indicating the counse. The
whale struck by the weapon is headed toward the hunters, indicating
that he was captured; whereas the second whale is going in the con-
trary direction, denoting that he had been observed and very much
wanted, perhaps, but not ca])tured. The short projections above the
heads of the whales denote fins — and seem thus to specify the finback.

The cruciform figures
denote flying birds.

A peculiarly inter-
esting specimen of art
is illustrated in fig.
107, and consists of a
flat piece of ivory, 4
inches long and 1.2
inches wide, roughly
carved and covered
with incised figures.
The specimen is made
of a fragment of an
old snow- shovel edge,
is perforated at one end, and lias attached to it by a strand of sinew a
little handle formed of ivory, and represents two bowhead whales with
the heads attached, so that a slight stricture results, about which the
cord is tied.
The spiracles on the efhgies are incised and blackened.
"Tlie upper edge is carved into five distinct heads — first, a rude
bear's head, with the eyes and nostrils incised an<l blackened as usual;
then four human heads, with a face on each side. The froiit faces have
the noses and brows in low relief, and the eyes, nostrils, and mouths

Fig. 107.

IVORY CARVINli BEAKINfi PICTCXIKAPHH, POINT IIAKROW.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

891

inciHcd and blackened; the back ouch are flat, with tlio hiHt throe
features indicated as betbrc. At the end is a rude tignre of a bear,
heading toward the right, with the ears in relief, the eyes and nioutlk
roughly incised and blackened, and the legs indicated by roughly
incised an<l blackened lines on the obverse face. Both faces are cov-
ered with rmlely incised and blackened lines.

''On the obverse there is a single vertical line between each i)air of
heads, lielow the bear's head is a bear heading toward the right;
under the lirst human head, an umiak with four men; under the sec
end, a 'killei* (Orca) heading toward the right; under tlie third, two
of the usual conventi(Uiali/ed whales' tails suspended from a cross line;
and under the last, a 'killer' with very large 'Hukes' heading toward
the left.

"On the reverse there are, below tho bear, a bear heading toward
tlie right, below each of the liuinan heads a whale's tail with the tlukes
up, and under the bear's head a bear heading toward the right."' This
end is jjcrforated as befon^ stated.

Fig. 108 represents a village near a stream, or the seashore. Nos. 1
and 3 are habit.ations, while the structure at No. 2 represents a store-

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4 5

Fijt. !08.

FI8IIIN0 NEAR TIIIC YILI.AOK.

house, a box like rercptacle built upon poles within which to store food.
Upon the cnti ance way of No. i is seen a man occupied in some ordi-
nary occupation, but at his lelt is a vertical polo upon which is a short
transverse line, the elligy of a bird or fish, most probably the former.
This is a votive offering, or "shaman stick," erected to tlie memory of
a departed member of the family. P>ird carvings are deenuid the best
that can be selected, flying si)irits or demons, typified by birds, being
considered good omens, whereas walking or crawling ones are oft n
nuilevolent.

To the right of the man, over the entrance to the habitation, is another
"shaman stick," erected probably with the same motive as tlie preced-
ing one, though to indicate a second person, only one sti<*,k being erected
to one individual at the same idace.

The four figures seated upon the ground at the water's edge — Nos.
4-7 — denote four persons fishing, the floats being visible on the lines of
Nos. C and 7.

Fig. 109 represents a party of fishermen, the three figures at the
right being in a seated posture. Considerable surface erosion by con-
stant use has weakened the lines at the left side to such an extent as

I Ninth Annual Kcport of the IJiircau of Ktlinology, 1887-88, 1892, pp. 397, 398, fif,'. 398.

I 1

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it^

Hill

111

892

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

hi H ^ r^^v4

£3L

Fig. 100.
KIHBINn WITH HOOK AND LINE.

to inako iiit«rpretiitioii more difficult. The long upright lines may have
been intended to denote rods, as a Hiniilar line in the hands of No. in
known to be.

No. 3 may have had a rod and line attached to his hands, as in Nos.
6 anil 7, but the surface here is perfectly smooth and polishe<l, tlius

obliterating all evidence
/ of such implements.

As many of the ivory

drill bows sind bag handles

have inscribed upon them
records of seal hunts in
which are found engrav-
ings of natives dragging seal, it seems proper, if not necessary, to
illustrate the utensil with which the dragging is performed. Fig. 110
represents a seal drag, an article with which every seal hunter is pro-
vided and c<arries with him for drtigging home his game. This consists
of a small ivory handle or knob, to which is secured a stout thong
doubled at the other end in a bight about 18 inches long. The bight is
looped into an incision in the animal's lower jaw, while the knob serves
for attaching a longer line or the end of a dog's harness. The seal is
dragged on his back, and runs as smoothly as a sled. The illustration
of the drag referred to above is one
of a small collection in the National
Museum, and marked as from Point
Barrow.'

Some of these ivory knobs show
slight markings or incisions to serve
as ornamentation, as shown in ])late
20, fig. 3, though the greater number
are carved in symmetrical forms, and
usually in imitation of seals, Avhales,
or something of this kind.

Floats of inflated seal skin are used
in capturing whale and walrus. An
excellent specimen from Point Bar-
row,^ fig. Ill, will serve to illustrate
the general appearance of the float,
and will furthermore serve to make
intelligible the ])eculiar fish like ob-
ject portrayed on somts ivory records, where the seal fisher is repre-
sented as in his kaiak, with the harpoon and float projecting backward
from the body. The accompanying illustration is here reproduced from
the Point Barrow report by Mr. Murdoch.
The village in plate 70, fig. 2, is located at Nos. 1 and 2, the store-

Fig. 110.

8RAL DRAG.

> Ninth Annual Report of tbe liiirean of Ethnology, 1887-88, 1892, p. 256, fig. 257 '
>Idem. p. 246.

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LC AND Seal Huntinq Records.

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GRAPHIC ART OI' THE ESKIMOS.

S!)3

house being at the extreme left end of tlie first lioiise. Smoke is
rising from the middle elevation, while upon the entrance are two
])ersons, one of whom is shown with his arms elevated, as if hailing
some one, ♦vhile the second appears to be in conversation with the man
(m the scaftold belonging to the next house, at No. 2. On the latter
are two people pulling np a ladder to get the hunter to bring up the
meat, when the seal, dragged by N<>. .'{, is eaten nj). The hunter's dog is
following. No. 4 denotes two men pulling at a seal, while those at No.
5 are similarly engaged. Nos. G, 7, <S, and *.» are also taking home their
captures. The tigure in the air, between Nos. 7 and 8, resembles the
usual outline ;>f an evil spirit, as portrayed in connection with cere-
monial performances of shamans, but in the present conm'«'tion the
import of the character is unintelligible, unless the artist intended to
represent one of the natives in the act of jumping.

No. 10 denotes two seals. No. II a water bird, whiU' No. lli indicates
a canoe with the rowers standing about in conversation, in which the
inhabitants of No. 13 are i)articipating.

Ki);. III.

INKl.ATKI) SKAI.SKIN I-I,IIAT.

No. It is the storehouse or scatt'old belonging to the occupaiits of
No. i;{.

riate 22, tig. o, represents another drill bow oi bug handle trom
Kotzebue Sound. The s<|uare object on poles, at the right end upper
line, represents a cache or granary, while the domeshape<l structure is
a winter habitation, on the entrance to whicli is a native with his arm
directed downward, as if indicating that place for some particular
reason. The next character repn'scnts a scatfold used for drying meat
or lish. Two men are represented as approaching the rack, both
dragging an oddly formed character, probably intended to represent
a seal. The nuimmal is a. reindeer, while to the right is an umiak
containing four m«'n approaching two ligures, the forms of which are
not sufficiently distinct to identify.

Biiyond these, however, are two seals whose heads are seen protrud-
ing from the surface of the water. Another umiak is shown, beyond
which three men are shown diagging a seal or walrus. These are
followed by three others similarly occupied. The dome-shaped tigure

894

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

to the right (hMiotes, without doubt, a similar aniinnl upon an ice iloc,
the hitter being indicated by its having been U^ft white to denote trans-
parency.

One man is seen dragging at a seal to the right of the tloe, and a little
farther on are two men making gestures, the lirst having both hands
and arms directed upward, while the second has one arm directed to
the left of the rod, while with the other the hand is 1lex«'d toward his
head, as if beckoning to some one at his left and indicating the direction
to his right.

The walrus have been surprised by hunters, as shown in plate 7(>,
fig. 3, many of them swimming away, as shown in No. li, one animal
having its young still resting upon its back. The ice pan at No. 2 has
three animals remaining upon it, a young walrus at its mother's back
being indicated in the middle figure, while the largest figure is already
harpooned, its tlipi)ers ( ?) being exten<led in its endeavor to slip into
the sea and escape. The middle boatman in No. 4 is holding aloft his
paddle, thus calling for assistance, the signal being visible, perhai)s, by
other hunters, who will at once respond. In No. 5 the hunter had har-
pooned his walrus, which immediately attempted to escape by resorting

4 5

Via. 112.

A WAI.KfS HUNT.

to an ice pan, upsetting the canoe and dragging it upon the ice, and at
the same time throwing into the water the unfortunate hunter, whose
head and shoulders are seen projecting above the base line, here indi-
cating, also, the water line.

In tig. 112 is shown a remarkably graphic illustration. The artist
was of more than ordinary cleverness, and the engraving scarcely
requires any description. The animals noted in No. 1, the middle one
on the ice pan in No. 5, and the one to the right — the last but one — are
each shown with their young up«»n the back.

The ice pan upon which the aninnils had been floating is indicated by
an outline only, the body being left white and in imitation of nature.

Plate 21, fig. 2, represents the back of bow shown elsewhere. As
before, there is an upper and lower face upon which hunting records
are portrayed. Hegiuning with the upper surface at the right-hand
side, we perceive four walruses, to the right of which is an umiak occu-
pied by four hunters. The one in the bow appears to have a short-
handled ax, while the second has one arm uplifted, and directed forward
from the nmuth appears a short line terminating in zigzag, which is
believed not to be accidental but intentional, and indicates voice or
speech, sound being portrayed in other pictographs as well, seemingly

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

805

iii(li(;ating this extent of acquaintance with the recording of subjective
ideas. The third person in the boat is using the paddh', wliile the one
at the stern has a weapon of some kind with which he is attempting to
keep off an aggressive walrus which is following them.

To the right of this is another umiak paddling toward the right in
the direction of the three walruses represented. Above the middle
of this is a small cross which denotes a bird. The next figure repre-
sents an umiak in which are four people close to the body of a whale
which has been harpooned. The elongated curved figure resting ui)on
two short vertical lines represents a boat on shore and on a scaffold
drying. At a distance of about 1^ inches from this is shown a whale
in the act of diving, as is intimjited by the fact of the greater portion
of the body being directed upward while the head is down in the water,
as shown by the spray which emanates from the blow hole in contact
with the surface. The oblong cross above this represents a bird. The
adjoining characters to the right can not be definitely determined.
The figures at the end, however, represent two winter habitations with
the accompanying granaries and the presence of human figures.

Turning the bow around and following the remaining fmies from the
left hand, Me find first a winter habitation with smoke rising from the
center, in front of which is a tent with a vertical pole projecting upward
atthe right. A native is seen dragging home a seal, while to the right
are more human figures apparently embarking in umiaks, three of these
vessels being under way. Beyond the bow of the right hand boat and
ui)on the base line are two figures which represent seals, Avhile of the
two in the air the one at the left represents a fox or wolf aiul that at
the right a bird. The remaining half of the space upon this bow is
filled with a procession of natives dragging home seals, eight of these
animals being shown. The vertical sti<!k8 used by these natives are
seal spears, which they employ to aid locomotion.

Plate 24, fig. 3, represents a drill bow from Nubuiakhchugaluk,
collected by Mv. E. W. Nelson.

The specimen nu»asures 12,'^ inches in length, and is rudely decorated
both above and bene.ath. The figure at the extreme left is partly
obliterated. The next represents a native in his kaiak in the a(!t of
throwing a harpoon toward a walrus, whicli he is closely pursuing, and
beyond which are four other animals of the same species. The next
figure represents an umiak with three occupants, the one nearest the
bow being represented as in the act of throwing a harpoon. Two large
crude figures of walruses are between this boat and another umiak, in
which are three persons, the one at the stern being shown with the
rudder, the one in the middle having both arms extended and upward
as if in surprise, and the one at the bow being in the act of throwing a
harpoon toward a whale. Above this are five birds, indi(;ated by crude
crosses. To the right of the whale is a native with bow and arrow,
preparing to shoot toward a reindeer. The triangular figure to the

Il 't

8J)6

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

■t; iF

Mi t

\i '

right of the rciudeer appears to be a summer habitation, while the
figure of a mammal at the extreme right is not drawn with sufticient
accuracy to admit of identification. The under side of the bow con-
tains characters the import of which is very much the same as that of
those just enumerated. The edges of the bow are decorated with hori-
zontal incised lines.

The retjonl given in plate 60, tig. 2, embraces several ditterent
exploits. In No. 1 the helmsman at tlie end of the large canoe is hold-
ing aloft the double bhuled paddle to attract attention and to call for
assistance, as a walrus, No. 2, is making an attack u])on the native in
the kaiak, No. 3. The leaning figure in the stem end of the kaiak is
the inflated seal skin used as a float in hunting whale and wiilrns.
No. 4 is rock and indicates shore, near which is No. 5, a large animal.
The canoe party at No. are also making signals, seals having been
discovered: No. 0, toward which the native in the kaiak, No. S, is
going, having already thrown his harpoon as indicated by the Aveapon
before the bow, and securing one seal as noted by the harpoon pro-
truding from its back.

Both boats are near a large rock showing a water-worn cavity, as
in No. 7.

Another native, armed with hari)oon and float, is paddling along at
No. 10. The figures at No. 11 and 12 are either partly worn away or
incomplete and are unintelligible.

The regularity with which the hunters and their captured seals are
depicted in i)late(IO, fig. 3, is a step in the direction of the decorative —
representation of a hunting exploit.

Each of the hunters has secured an animal, the hunter dragging
No. 2 seal having a bow and arrow while the others have harpo<ms,
the weapon being cleverly indicated by the barbed head in the hands
of the native dragging seal No. 10.

Fourteen seals were secured, only one gettingawjiy from tlui slaughter,
as indicated in No. 15.

The illustration in i»late 60, fig. 4, is interesting because of an attempt
at persi>ective. The record was too conjprehensive to be engraved upon
the ivory surface available, and as there were more (ianoes employed in
the hunt than could be drawn along one line, in consecutive order, three
of them are raised to appear as if they were in the air, though in reality
beyond the two touching the water line in the foreground. The canoes
at No. 2 are for one person only, while that at No. .'i has nine people in
it. The walrus, which the party is evidently going to attack, are at
Nos. 4 to 11 end)races the habitations referring to the fact that
..{age is located there, while the scafiblds — with the exce])tion of No.
6 — are for canoes, the vessels being inverted and the paddles i)rojecting
beneath. The exception referred to is a food scaffold, to which a Hight
of steps has been placed. Two persons are observed on the roof of the
house at No. 5, watching the departure of their friends, while a short

jI'I'Av.'

, while the
h sufticient
e bow coii-
■t us that of
I with hori-

il different
iioe is hohl-
to call for
le native in
lie kaiak is
md walrus,
[•ge animal,
iving been
, No. 8, is
he weapon
rpoon pro-

Cfivity, as

\g along at
[•n away or

I seals are
corative —

dragging
harpoons,
the hands

slanghter,

m attempt
aved ni)on
u ployed in
I'der, three
in reality
'he canoes
! people in
ck, are at
3 fact that
ion of No.
projecting
sh a tlight
•oof of the
le a short

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Report of U. S. Nitionai MuMum, 1 895.— Hoffman.

Plate 71.

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GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

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Fl;;. 113.
ALASKAN NoTICR (iF liIUKCTION.

column of sinoki' is seen arisinj;- Worn flic middle elevation of tli(^ liabi-
tatioii.

At No. 4, food is seen suspended beneatli tiie inverted boat, while
above it the liarjumn is ])roJecting, sliowinj? that the Aveajmn is kept
near at liand for immediate use, shouhl occasion demand it.

The engraving in phito 70, fig. 4, presents interesting details in the
portrayal of various attitudes assumed by walrus Xos. 4, 7, 9 and 11, as
well as the specific ditlerence between
the canoes, the baidarka holding more
than one ])erson, and the kaiak, gen-
erally, but for one person. The former
is shown in various styles, as Nos. 1, 2,
and .'{, wliile the latter is represented in
Nos. C, 8, 10, 12, l.'i, and 14. The small
(!ross above No. 3 <lcnotes a bird in
flight, as also the two figures of like
form above the seal at No. 7. A large
water fowl still remains upon the water
before the bow of the kaiak at No. 8.

The hunter in the kaiak No. <J has
thrown his harpoon into a walrus, while
the occupants of Nos. 10 and 12 have
raised their weapons preparatory to throwing them. The elongated
objects projecting from the kaiaks, behind the occupants, Nos. 10, 12,
and 13, are inflated seal skins used as floaters for the harpoon line,
to impede the speed of the harpooned animal, and also to prevent
its escape l)y remaining too long underwater or to
trace its course while there.

TRAVEL AND GEOGUArilK; FKATlTltKS,

Locomotion by boat is graphically represented in
many records and by sledge in occasional instances.
Walking with the seal spear used as a cane is com-
mon, and in one example age is also indicated by
the attitude of the bent body, a method of i)ortray-
ing physical condition seldom found in Eskimo picto-
graphs, but of frequent occurrence in the records
of the Ojibwa and Dakota.
Fig. 113 is reproduced from a small slab of wood,
and is explained as follows:

Seal hunters thus inform their comrades that they have returned
home: The first to return to the regular landing place sometimes sticks
a i)iece of wood into the ground leaning toward the village, upon which
is drjiwn or scratched the outline of a baidarka or canoe heading toward
one or more outlines or lodges, signifying that the occupants have gone
toward their houses.

NAT MUS 95 57

FlK. 114.

ALASKAN NOTIOK OK 1)1-

KECTION.

I ^

I :

■ I

I -

!■? I

H9H

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

In tliis coniie(;tiun iiiay bo inoiitioiicd a coiniiion device used by the
natives ot' Noutlieni Alaska and Kadiak to indicate direction taken or
to be taken. Wlien liunterM become separated tlu' one first retnrn-
ing to tlie forks of the trail pnta a piece of wood in the ground, on the
top of which he makes an incision, into which a short piece of wood is
secnred horizontally so as to jioint in the direction taken.

This device is sometimes drawn upon ivory and other materials, in
connection with other objects to make pictographic records, and then
8imi)ly rei)reseiits a character like the letter T, the npper crosspiece
being very sliort in comparison with the vertical stroke.

The practice of erecting snch sticks to indicate direction is very com-
mon to tlie tribes living along thedreat Lakes, espeidally the Crees
and the OJibwa.

I'late 2'), tig. 2, represents a snuffbox of walrus ivory. This speci-
men, which was obtained at Norton Sound, is crude and very old. Upon
the upper border ov margin is a line encircling the specimen, upon
which is a series of very interesting although crude ligures. The only
engraved <'haractcr below the line, upon one side, is a very rude sledge
atta«'hed to a long-necked dog.

The iti]te re])iesented in ])late 71 measures lOA inches in length along
the lower outer curve, while the ornamental head in front is 1 inch in
length. The latter is easily removed, being merely an ornamental head
of the i>eg used to plug tlu^ drilled tube of the pipestem. The stem is
three fourths of an inch in lateral diameter and about lA inches through
the stem at the back of the bowl— froni top to bottom. The bowl and
its sup]torting stem is 1 A inches in height. Upon either side of the rim
of the bowl is a carved human face with blackened eyes and mouth,
the nose being (juite pronounced.

The engravings occupy the four sides of tin' stem, the two lower
panels being reserved for boating scenes, while the upper are retained
for game and village scenes. Ui)on the upper right hand side are six
reindeer, followed by a wolf, while before the foremost reindeer is the
figure of a man in the attitude of following sea fowl, evidently in the
attempt to secure some.

lieneath this scene is a Heet of eight umiaks, under rail, while in
each vessel are the outlines of human figures, one at the bow of the
leading umiak reaching toward, or grasping, the foresail stay, while
every helmsman has his oar to steer his boat. In the fifth boat — forward
fr<m> the mouth])iece of the jiipe — is one native smoking his pipe.

On the left-hand side, in the lower spa<e, are six kaiaks, each having
its occupant using the paddle, while toward the stem is seen projecting
the harpoon and seal skin float, ready and inflated for use.

The upper spacre i)ortrays a village scicne, in tlie middle being the
dome-shaped winter habitation, from which smoke is issuing; three
persons upon the roof of the entrance are wat<'hing the return of the
hunters, one raising his arms as if hailing the latter with ]>leasnre at

GRAPHIC AKT OF THE ESKIMOS.

899

tlioir Kiil'v 01- HiUTfHst'iil return. Tlic liiiiiturH an^ at tlii> left 4lru;j:ji;iiig
alon^ tbi'ir kaiaks upon .sledges. The ti};ure placed upon stilts is an
umiak, suspended for drying and proteetion, while beneath it is a dog
and his nnister approaching the entrance of the habitation.

At the right is a storelnuise or granary, built above the ground, and
near it u nnm calling or urging forward the dog hitched lo the sledge,
upon which is |>Iaced a load and one person.

The artistic execution of the engravings is goo<l. The lines are very
uniform in depth and witltli, showing the artist to have been an expert
in the use of the graver as pertains to the mechanical part «>f the
etching, at least.

The lines are all tilled in or stained with a v«'ry black stibstance,
giving the work rather a harsh and new appearance and not so soft
and warm in tone as some of the older and more worn spe<'imens.

The engraving in jdate 40, tig. 1, is very bold and seems to i)resent
strong evidence of persiuctive drawing, not through mere accident but
from intention. The gradual diminution in the si/e of tiie buildings
and store racks at the left end of the record is very cleverly done.
The ligure at No. !> is a baidarka inverted ui)on tin* rack so as to permit
it to dry, while the rod upon the entrance to the hojise at No. 8 is a
votive ottering, erected to the memory of one of the bousehold. The
man uiton the roof is speaking and gesticulating to those at No. <i.

The parties in the canoes, Nos. 10, 11, IL', and 13, are leaving to visit
another village, indicated by a large habitation and storehouse, Nos.
14 and 15, about which the four human tiguresare i)ortrayed as making
gestures, both beckoning — by the hand raised — and jjointing to the
house, as if <lesiring the visitors to come there.

There is no evidence of want of food, or death, as indicated in some
other records presented herein, but simply an exhibition of gladness at
the return of friends or visitors who api>ear to have come within hailing
distance.

The excitement caused by the arrival of two whaling shi[)s is cleverly
portrayed in plate 40, tig. 2. At No. 1 is a baidarka still upon the dry-
ing poles, while the natives at No. L* are excitedly rushing toward it to
l>ut to water and to follow the other boats already under way to visit the
ships. The boats Nos. .'i to 7 are all going along toward the anchored
ciaft, Nos. 8 ami 9, the anchor chains being designated by zigzag lines,
thus more emphatically indicating liiikn.

The canoes at Nos. 10 and V2 are coming from another direction, an«l
the native on the bow of No. 10 is hailing the helmsman on the sliip
No. 9. The natives in both boats at the right have oars for rud-
ders. No. 11 is a tlock of birds.

The record reproduced in fig. 115 illustrates another method of giv-
ing information with regard to distress in another village, which o(!ca-
sioned the departure of the person by whom the notification was given.
The design? were traced ui»on a narrow strip of wood, which was then

* ; I;

pi ..■: '

J. I

p i

III

900

RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

stuck Upon the rout' of tliu lioiiHe beloiif^iiif^ to the drat'tHiiiaii, and
made to k>an in tlio direction of the course to be taken.

This 18 shown in No. 1, tlio narrow projection upon the apex of the
roof denoting; th«' stick; No. 3 is the baidarka, containin^j the residents
of the honsc; No. A is a grave stick, indicating a deatli in the settle-
ment to which the trip is inad<*, the stiik being a votive ottering, erected
to the memory of the deceased : Nos. 4 and 6 denote the Inmses of the
village, the, triangular one being made by leaning t<»gether boards or
slabs, an<l is termed a summer house, while the dome-shaped one, made
nu)re compactly and covered with turf, denotes a ]>ermanent or winter
residence. JJoth kinds are represented, and by this method of synec-

Jj^igS^^

Fig. 115.
ALASKAN NoriCK OK DIMTKEHfl.

doche the village is indicated by portraying only one of each kind com-
posing the settlement.

The design shown in tig. IKJ is in imitation of drawings nmde by the
natives of southern Alaska to convey to the observer the information
that the draftsman had gone away to another settlement, the inhabi-
tants of which were in distress. The drawings were made on a strip
of wood which was placed at the door of the house, where it might be
seen by visitors or inquirers.

Vladimir Naomotl', the native to whom reference has before been made,
and who drew for the ]>reseijt writer the specimen under consideration,
gave the following explanation : No. 1 is a native making the gesture

icM.

^^]^^

rift. no.

NOTICK (iK IfErAKTUllE TO RKUBVB DISTRESS.

indicating sc//with the right hand, and with the left indicating the
direction of going. No. 2 is the native's habitation, a winter or perma-
nent residence, dome shaped, i)artly underground, with the roof thinly
covered with turf to keep out the extreme cold. No. 3 is a scaffold used
for drying fish ; upon the top of the pole is placed a i^iece of wood tied
so that the longest end points in the direction to be taken by the relief
party. No. 4 is the baidarka containing tMie party. No. 5, a native of
the settlement to be visited. No. 6, a summer habitation. No. 7 is a
shaman or grave stick, a votive ottering erected to the memory of a
recently deceased person, the cause which necessitated the journey.
No. 8 is a winter habitation, in which the deceased had resided. The

ORAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

901

Fin. U7.
WALKt;H lll'NTEIi A'ltACKKIi.

winter reHidencc, No. 8, t«)gctlier with tho Huniiiier I(h1),'o in No.(>, denuti's
the aettUmvnt.

Tbe record on iduto 10, fig. 3, einl)nicing Nos. 1 to 10, is Hiinilar in
stylo to <tnu explained by Naonioft', and pci-tainH to tlie <lcHignation of
geoKrapliic or rather tojmgrapliic features of an area of country between
thatoccnpiedby the recorder and another
place to whi(!h reference is made.

No. 1 denotes three birds flying in the
air, and No. 2 has reference to four seals,
both groups of creatures being at a shore
line, as the tree at No. 3 resembling a pine
indicates. The group of trees immedi-
ately to the right denotes a grove or woods, indicated by a gnaip of
trees being placed close together. No. 4 is a human being and the intcn
tionof tho recorder is to imply that natives are resident there — beyond
the woods. Another grove or forest o<!curs beyond the settlement, as
indicated by the group of trees at No. 5, beyond which another handct
is situated.

Then comes another forest at No. 7, beyond which is a locality abound-
ing in seals, No. S. Beyond this is a range of timbered hills, the upland
being indicated by a semicircle covered with short vertical lines to
denote the timber.

No. 10 is au ornamental mark similar to No. 18 in import, and serves

to denote the end of that i»arti<'ular re<'ord.

-J^jig/1^.^ A hunting scene begins with No. 11; the

n^^^M whale is moving toward the right, spouting,

it ^tmim^m^ causing the walrus. No. IL', to move out of the

way. Water fowl are seen at No. 13 J while the

elevations at No. 14, over which some birds are

flying and at the left base of which is another walrus, appear to be

rocks protruding from the sea.

At No. 15 are two other walrus, while .at N«»s. 1(1 and 17 are two
approaching whaling ships.

The character at No. 18 concludes the historN".

Fig. 118.

QUAHRBL OVEK OAMB.

(!OMHAT.

But few illustrations occur in the ivory records in the National
Museum collections in which i)ersoual combat is iMutrayed, Wrest-
ling is shown, in one instance, under the caption of Tastimcs and
Games, while another denoting a struggle and combat with a walrus,
both being in the water, is given below.

Fig. 117 represents an Alaskan in the water killing a walrus. The
exph)it was deemed of suliicient importance to perpetusite it by rejord-
ing the illustration upon a slab of ivory, now in the museum of the
Alaska Commercial Company, San Francisco, California.

Two men having a serious altercation over a seal are shown in fig.
118. One is unarmed, while the other has a bow and arrow which he

1 ,'

¥i

i '

ii'

(

r, i:

i'.'

K ^'

1|:,

002

RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

liiis tlircatciHMl to UH(\ The umiriiuHl iiiuii'h IuiiuIh arc in nttitiulos of
jyciHtnrr.

riiit two Htnif;j;liiig iiKMi, platu 40, W^. 4, No.l, appear in the attitude
of wreHtlin^, luit the rapi«l approa<;h of two others, No. li, >vit)i HpearH
in tlie attitnde of eliar^fin^ <»r thrnnting, HceniB to h'nd more soriouH
ii(>sH to the record. Tlie position of tlio legs of the combatantH indicates
th«^ portrayal of considerable strenjfth being exerted.

Nos. .'{ and S are honses, tlie latter showing the cohunn of smoke
C(»nsiderably curved downward to the right, denoting a strong breeze
from the ojiposite direction. No. 4 is a water bird, i»rol)ably a duck,
while No. "» denotes a seal. An aninnil of this species has been cap-
tured by the hunter, N<». 0, who is <lragging it liome to the house, No.S,
while his wife — ]»erhaps some other inmate — stands at the entrance and
with botli hands nnikes the gesture of rtquent or inritatinn to enter, the
hands being thrown toward the threshold. Nos. i), 10, and 11 are dog
sledges being biought back by traders from some other locality. The
sleds are loaded. The attitudes assumed by the men in aiding the dogs
in pulling are very cleverly depicted. Considerable etfort ist'xpressed
in the leader of the sledge at No. 10, while ])ushing is done by other
l>ersoiis at the rear at Nos. and 10. No. 11 is lightly loaded, as the

2 3

7 8 9 10 U 13 13 14

Fig. no.

ATTACK ON VIIXAOB.

owner is seated upon the sledge, while his companion is walking leis
urely along behind.

The illustration in fig. 110 represents a village, upon which an attack
is made by some natives from another locality.

The figure of a rack — a pole suspended horizontally upon two verti-
cal forked j»osts--is shown in No. 1. Fish for drying are seen attached,
the regularity of the short vertical strokes being evidence of the char-
acter of the food. Nos. 2 to (>, 7, and are conical huts made of boards
and saplings, such habitations as are erected by hunting i)arties when
they find game sufficient in any special phu'e to prompt their going to
so nuK'h lab(n- for their prote(!tion against rain or cold. In Nos. 8, 10,
11, 12, and 13 alarm is expressed by the signal for assistance, the arms
being held aloft and waved to attract attention and to indicate that
the presence of the beholder is desired.

No. 14 is a tree, from behind which the enemy shot an arrow which
caused the alarm. The enemy liad come up unperceived.

I IDEOGRAPHY.

This subject embraces one of the most interesting in the entire realm
of pictography. Among the Eskimo there is less evidence of ability in
this direction than among some of our Indian tribes. Gesture signs

ORAPIIIC ART OP TIIK EHKIMOH.

903

an* roiiiiiioti to all iiiAiikiii<l, hut in tlit* ^ruatcr part of tlio I'liitud
States tlir si^ii 1an};iia;;(« is riipidly i'alliii;; into ilisiisr, Itotli Iktuiiho of
tli«' <l<'sti'iu;tioii ot' tlic hiitValo. f m* pursuit of wliich was pui'ti(*ipatf(l
ill by many trilM's of <livt'rse lan^iia^'cs, a condition wliit-li lii'oii<;lit
about a most lii};lily <i(*Vflo)i(>(I >{('stun> laiiuiiavr, and also b(>caiisiM»f
tlic rapid settlnni'tit of tl..i :'oiiiitry ami tlir consciiiu'iit rtvstrictioiis of
Indians traveling from piar(> to placo, wliii li also scrvud tu k('('[» alivo
jjrstnr*' specrli. Tin' a«loptioii of tlu^ Spanisli laii-
^iia^o l>y tiM' Indians on tlic> 8outliw(>st border, and
tliciMdnookjartioti iiitlu'nortli,also]ielp('d to resume
tlie need of a resort to gesture, the pres4*iit methods
of oral speech, mutually intelligilde. being vastly
superior and more satisfactory.

The use of gesture speech by the Ivskiino is well
known, and repeated instances showing the attempted
reproducti<ni, graphically, of gesture signs occur in the ivory records,
some examples of which are reprodui'ed.

To facilitate further study in this line of investigation, the writer
Hubmits a collection of gesture signs used by ilie ICskinio and other
tribes of s(mtliern Alaska, a collectitni made some years since, though
hitherto u!!publishe<l.

Kl«. IJO.

Ill-MAN hldlllKH MAKINil
(IKMIUUKS.

l»l(rro(JUAl'HS OF tJHSTUUE SUJNS.

Xo. I of tig. 1-0 represents a shaman waving his hands and arms, as
if he were stirring up the air above his head, the motive being the
invocation of beiiigu spirits to aid him in his work. The rested tigure
shown in No. 2, denotes the man making application tor aid, and his
arms are extended upward in like manner, but in this instance denoting'
supplieaiioH, the diflferenco between the two being that the latter is
rested upon the ground to indicate his ashimj for aid, wheii'as the
shaman is portrayed not only erect, but in the attitude of
dancing, with his song and incantations.

The illustrati<ni given in tig. 121 is taken from an ivory
drill bow in the National Museum, marked as from Norton
Sound, Alaska. The tigure represents tlu! gesture sign, or
signal of discovery. In this instanct^ the game <;oiisists of
whales, and the signal is made by ludding the boat paddle
aloft and horizontally.

Fig. 12L' reiuesents a number of natives lishing through the.ice.tbr
seal. The individual represented at No. 1 is dragging an animal out
of the water, a hole having been cut for breathing place at which these
animals make their appearance. No. 2 has a seal upon the ice and
appears to have great difhculty in ]iulling it along. No. ,'i is preparing
to S[)ear an animal, his watchful attitude being aiiparent. No. 4 is
holding aloft liis harpoon or lance, making a signal that he has discov-
ered game, or hears it, and thereby warns others near by to be silent.

Fig. 121.

SIO.NAI, OP DIH
(••JVEKV.

If /I

is W

904

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

^o. 5 is iibout to thrast his lauce through the hole into the water
beneath. No. hu» stuck his harpoon into the ice and is erecting a
shade over the hole so as to jiermit him to see beneath, while No. 7 has
thrust his weapon downward through the ice.

Mr. ] >all ' mentions a practice adopted by the Aleuts when hunting
otter, by which the fact of having thrown the spear is intimated to his
companions, when they will at once paddle and form a circle around

^y^.^..^."^ "tTi I2_ fl3L

lAi

12 3 4 5 6 7

Fig. 122.

BBAL FISHINO AND SinNAL.

the spot so as to attack with spear the animal when it returns to the
surface to breathe. The signal is graphically portrayed in the follow-
ing illustration, in which several hunters had such exploits, and also
in many others, in some of which, however, the signal may also denote
the idea to come, a call for assis<tance when the animal is thought to be
liable to escape or to be unmanageable.
The iishermen ibund a small school of whales, as shown in fig. 123,

Fig. 123.
SIONALIMl FOB ASslsSTANCB ; WHALES.

and three of them have been harpooned while a fourth is escaping.
Help to secure the monsters is required, and all of the occupants of the
boats are making the signal for assistance by holding horizontally
above the head the boat paddle. This signifies come, and also, under
other circumstcuces, game found.

Fig. 124 represents a lecord of a hunt, made for the present writer
by Vladimir Naomoft", in 1882. The drawing is in imitation of similar

Fig. 124.
ALASKAV NOTICE OK HUNT.

ones made by the natives of the southern coast of Alaska, to inform
their visitors or friends of their departure for a purpose designated.
They are depicted upon pieces of wood, which are placed in conspicu-
ous places near the doors of the habitations.

The following is the explanation of the characters : No. 1, the speaker,
with the right hand indicating himself and with the left pointing in the
direction taken ; No. 2, holding a boat paddle, goinfj by boat; No. 3, the
speaker holding the right hand to the side of the head, to denote sleep,

■Alaska aud its Rvsources, p]). 490. 491.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

905

and the left elevated with one finger erect to signify one night; No. 4,
a circle with two marks in the middle, signifying an island with huts
upon it; No. 5 same as No. 1; No. (>, a circle to denote another island
where they touched; No. 7, similar to No. 3, with an additional finger
elevated, to signify two nighU or xfeeps; No. 8, the speaker with his
harpoon, the weapon with which he sometimes hunted, and with the
left making the gesture sign to denote sea Hon. The hand is held edge-
wise, with the thumb elevated, then pushed outward from the body in
a slightly downward curve. No. 9 represents a sea Hon, which the
hunter. No. 10, secured by shooting with bow and arrow. No. 11 is the

1234 50 7 8

Fijf. 125.

ALASKAN NOTICE UF DEPAnTl'KE.

boat with two persons in it, the paddles projecting downward beneath
it. No. 12 is the winter habitation of the speaker.

The record given in fig. 125 was also drawn for the present writer by
Vladimir Naomoff.

Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 7 represent the person spoken to, and no arms are
indicated, as no response is supposed to bo made by him. No. 2 indi-
cates the speaker with his right hand to his side or breast, indicat-
ing «<■//, the left hand pointing in the direction in which he is going.
No. 4, both hands of the speaker are elevated, with fingers and thumbs
extended, signifying many. When the hands are thus held up, in sign
language, it signifies ten, but when they are brought toward and back-
ward from one another, many. Among the "Plains Indians" of Indian
Territory, when both hands are thus held up for ten, and then thrown
downward to the left, it signifies ten times ten or one hundred. The

Fig. 120.
ALASKAN NOTICE OK lll'NT.

latter practice of indicating any number multiplied by ten, by thus
throwing to the left both hands, has not been found to obtain among
the Alaskan natives. No. 6, the right hand is placed to the side of
the head to denote sleep or night; in this instance denoting many sleeps,
or, in other words, many nights and days; the left hand points down-
ward to denote at that place. No. 8, the right hand is directed toward
the starting point, wliile the left is brought upward toward the head-
to go home, or whence he came.

The drawing represented in fig. 12G was made by an Alaskan native
to illustrate that be contemplated making a journey to hunt, iind the

■^^?i-

006

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

\l\'

■r ii

', :^ -y

!■ :r^ "!i'

AKK

/vaX

result of that tour. No. 1 is an uudulating lino extcndiug from loft to
rigbt, and represents the contour lines of the country and mountain
peaks; No. 2 represents the native going from home; No. It, stick placed
on a hilltop, with a bunch of grass attached — so as to be more readily
visible — pointing in the direction ho took ; No. 4 represents tlie native
of another settlement, with whom the traveler remained over night;
No. 5 is the habitation of the figure in No. 4; No. G, a long vertical
stroke, representing the end of the first day, i. e., the time between
two days — rest; No. 7, the traveler is again shown to be on the way;
No. 8, making a signal that on the second day (the right hand raised,
with two lingers extended, tiro) he saw deer. No. 1), the left hand jmint-
ing in the dire<tion of the animal. No. 9 represents the deer facing the
hunter, which attitude is an indication that the animal was secured.
In fig. 127a is indicated the course pursued by one of a hunting party,

who decided to return home, leaving
information en route as to direction. He
ascends the nearest elevation of ground,
a hilltop or ridge, and ties a bunch of

grass or other light

^^ Pr colored material to

the top of a long stick

■———■—■ or rod. The lower end

4 4 6

of the stick is placed
firmly in the ground,
leaning in the direc-
tion taken. When another hill is ascended, another stick with similar
attachment is erected, again leaning in the direction to be taken. These
sticks are placed at proper intervals until the village is sighted, the left
hand semicircular or dome-shaped body denoting the settlement shown
by synecdoche.

The drawing shown in fig. 121b was also made by Naomoff for the
present writer, to illustrate that a settlement had been attacked by si
hostile party and finally deserted. The last one to leave prepares the
drawing upon a strip of wood to inform his friends of the resort of the
survivors. No. 1 represents three hills or ranges, aignifying that
the course taken would carry them beyond that number of hills; No. 2,
the draftsman, indicating the direction, with the left hand pointing
to the ground, one hill, and the right hand indicating the number tiro,
the number still to be crossed; No. 3, a circular piece of wood or
leather, with the representation of a face, placed upon a pole and facing
the direction to be taken from the settlement. In this instance the
drawing of the character denotes a hostile attack upon the village, for
which misfortune such devices are sometimes erected. Nos. 4 and 5
indicate summer and winter habitations. No. is a storehouse erected
upon upright poles so as to be beyond the reach of predatory aniuuals.
The latter device is used by the coast natives generally.

Fig. 127.

ALASKAN NOTICE OF DIRECTION.

ORAPPIIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

907

Fig. 128 represents hunters who have been unfortunate and are
sutt'ering from hunger. The figures are 8cratche<l or drawn upon a
piece of wood, and placed where there is the greatest chance of its dis-
covery by passers. The stick bearing tlie devices is stuck in the
ground and inclined to-
ward the shelter of the
suft'erers. The following
is the interpretation of
the record :

No. 1 is a horizontal
line, and denotes a canoe,

indicating that the persons are fishermen ; No. 2, a man with both arms
extended, signifying i'.i gesture language nothing, corresponding to the
ordinary gesture for negation ; No. 3 is a companion with the right hand
placed to the mouth, signifying to cat, the left pointing to the house
occupied by the hunters, and indicating at that place there is nothing
to eat; No. 4 represents the shelter occupied by the sufferers.

The record in fig. 129 is similar to the preceding aiul is used for a

Fig. 128,
HTABVINO lIlTNTEnH.

Fifr 129.

HTAHVINd IIUNTEKS.

like purpose. No. 1 represents the baidarka, showing double projec-
tions at the bow in imitation of some forms of the canoe, the two strokes
at the other end representing the occupants of the boat. No. 2 rei»re-
s(?nts a man making the gesture for nothing, both hands thrown hori-
zontally outward toward either side. No. 3 has his right hand )>Iaced
to the mouth to denote to eat, the left ])(>intiiig to the habitation, No. 4,
indicating that there is nothing to eat in that houne.

FiK- 130.

IirVTINO SOBNII.

This is used by the Alaskan coast natives generally.

The record portrayed in fig. 130, refers to the success of the hunter
shown in No. 3. As elsewhere stated with reference to the position or
attitude of animals, it will be perceived that the two deer, represented
in Nos. 1 and 2, were secured by shooting, the gun being indicated in
No. 3. No. 4 represents a man with a gun held transversely above the
head, this being a signal to denote come, or approach, while the indi-
viduals iu Nos. 5, G, and 7 are in various attitudes with extended arms

908

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Iituuls, .and flngerH. No. 5 is represented in the act of making- a gSHture
synonymous with that in No. 4, attracting attention and beckoning to
another to approach.

No. ({ likewise shows the gestures to come or approach, the direction
of tlio liands being earthward, corresponding exactly with a common
and widespread gesture for the person called to approach Htealthily.
Indications by gesture to come are uniformly, amongst the No: th
American Indians and Innuit, made by turning the palm downward
and drawing the extended index finger toward the body, as if directly
indicating the path upon which the person beckoned to is directed to
approach.

In No. 7 the gesture apitcars still more excited, and the skill in
pictorial expression is certainly very cleverly indicated. The right
hand of the figure calls to the beholder to come, while with the left
hand, as with the right, the number /our is indicated, as is also the
case M'ith the figure in No. C. The reason of this is apparent in Nos.
8, D, 10, and H, denoting four black or i)orhaps cinnamon bears, whose
heads are directed away from the group of human figures, ami espe-
cially so from No. .'i, who thus intimates that he was informed by his

-^■^fln^afc^n^

2 3

Fig. 131.

BIONAL OF DISTRESS AND WANT.

friends of four bears having been seen in a direction pointed to by the
left hand of No. 7, but which he did not secure.

Had the heads been directed toward the si)eaker or owner of the
record, as in the instance of the two deer, the information would have
signified that the bears had been captured.

An interesting and r.irely found engraving is reproduced herewith
in fig. l.n. Specimens of like import were described to the present
writer, and pencil drawings made to illustrate the manner in which the
Aigalu lamut Eskimo of the southern shores of Alaska convey the
intelligence that they want assistance and that they possess nothing.

The figures shown in Nos. 1 and 4 represent the habitations of two
families, the storehouse, No. 2, being common property. Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7,
and the human figure standing upon the habitation marked No. 4 are
making signals, all excepting No. 7, calling attention by their uplifted
hands and arms, while No. 7 has his arms extended, to denote nothing,
this being a universal gesture for that idea. The Egyptian hieroglyphs
and the Maya pictograph, as mentioned by Dc I^anda in his represen-
tation of alphabetic characters, are drawn in the attitude of out-
stretched arms, no other part of the body being present or necessary.

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

909

Th« conventional gesture sign used by the Indians of the United
States is to throw the flat right hand outward to the right, the hand in
the first position being in front of the right side at the height of the
elbow.

Some tribes and European iiations who are still profuse and )n-oiitic
in gesture as an accompaniment to speech frequently employ both
hands, moving them outward from the front toward either side, bring-
ing the palms uppermost, and at the same time giving the shoulders a
slight shrug, an unconscious though effective emphasis to the gesture.

The accompanying figure (132) represents at Nos. 2, .{, and 4 the hab-
itations of a village of which the author or owner of the record is a
member. No. 1 denotes a water fowl. No. 2 is a habitation, from the
roof of whi<^h project three shaman sticks, erected as votive ott'eriiigs
to deceased members of the household. The owner is also apparent on
the roof, occupied by domestic duties. No. 3 is another house, from the
roof of which is seen the issuings of smoke. No. 4 is another long
house, from the right hand end of which is seen i)rojecting a stick indi-
cating the direction taken by the owner in his departure for another
locality. No. 5 represents a swan (the uppermost figure), which was
observed by the traveler on his journey, as also an animal, the specific
name of which could not be ascertained. No. 0, however, is the traveler

\miJMxik^mmmr^^''r- ^ '■ d^^;^^ ^k i£km ,r^

Fie- 132.
NOTICE OF DEPARTUKB TO VISIT NEUillUORINO VIIXAdE.

himself seated on his dog sledge, holding in his hand a whip, with which
he is urging the dog to hasten, as the end of the journey is near at
hand. He is preceded by another native (No. 7), whom he caught up
with, who was dragging home some game. No. <S is the house of the
person whom the traveler is going to visit. Tlie leftliand figure sees
him coming, and shows his pleasure by extending his arn\ horizontally,
to inform others of the village that he sees the stranger approaching.
The figure on the meat pole is said to be exceedingly pleased at the
news, and is seen performing some athletic feat on the horizontal pole
mentioned. Another of the household is occupied at the storehouse
(No. 9) in preparing for the storing of tlie game captured by No. 7.

Smoke observed issuing from the roof of the habitation No. 8 is
similar to that in No. 3, and resembles also in graphic execution the
tail of the dog in No. 6. Upon comparison it will be found that the
water thrown up by a whale in blowing is represented in like manner.

ABSTRACT IDEAS.

But few instances denoting, or perhaps even suggesting, abstra
ideas have been met with. The following examples embrace also ges-
ture language as well as an attempt at recording subjective ideas.

910

i'l.

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REPORT OV NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

^. c«^^\,..,f^^:rW

It is seldom that the indication of speech is attempted by the Eskimo,
but in Hg. 133 an excellent portrayal of the idea of urging by means
of the voice, or calling, is given. The two men are traveling with a
sledge and three dogs, the foremost of the figures having a line extend-
ing from the side of the hea<l — presumably the mouth — to thele ader
of the dogs. The idea is also exhibited in other pictographs made by

Eskimo, and is not of rare
occurrence in pictographic
drawings of the natives of
Kadiak, as stated by Vladi-
mir Naomoff.
Voice lines are frequently
and similarly portrayed by the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Dakota Indians.
In pictographs relating to hunting expeditions and pastimes the lirst-
named tribe is perhaps one of the most advanced in expressing pic-
torially some of the more difficult ideas, not only objective ones but
subjective as well.

The line extending from the mouth to denote speech is a visible pre-
sentation of the common gesture sign for the same idea, made by
passing forward from the mouth the extended index finger.

Fig. 133.

NATIVE HPEAKINQ TO UOO.

({((^^nnf *

1 2 8 4

Fig. 134.

BIIOKE LINE, OK WATEK MARKS.

The elevated left hand of the leader of the party is an additional
indication that he is urging the dogs to (|uickeu their i)ace, or perhaps
to exert greater effort in pulling the sledge.

The illustration in fig. 134 represents several men carrying an
umiak. The vessel at No. 3 is raised above the ground, the four lines
resembling props or supports being the men's legs. The boat is being
carried toward the water, the shore lines being indicated by the vertical
curves at No. 2. The artist felt that he had not the skill in perspec-
tively showing the water's edge, and so
places the water lines in a position in
which they may clearly be observed.
The four crosses at the left of the engrav-
ing denote waterfowl, while the figures
at No. 4 denote a standing one in conversation and gesture with the
departing ones, and another seated upon the ground.

A good portrayal of the whale is given in fig. 135. The spray — a small
character for which is placed over the highest ridge of the head — is
portrayed to specify the nature of the mammal. The oblique line pro-
truding from the back is the harpoon which was used in the capture.

An interesting fact connected with this pictograph is the represeuta-

Fig. 135.
A CAPTIVE WHALE.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

911

tion of death, i. e., a d^ad whale or killed whale, determined by the
presence of the instrument with which death was accomplished. This
is rare in Innuit pictography, but frequent in Indian art.

Plate G8, fig. ^, is a large bag handle from Cape Nome. This is par-
ticularly interesting from the fact of the presence of a variety of
human forms, some resembling the bird like forms or wings very much
resembling the characters for " Thuuderbird," as portrayed by the
Ojibwa and other Algonkian tribes. The left half of the lower face of
the bow represents umiaks with hunters and harpoons. Near the
middle of the record is a very gracefully drawn whale tail up in the
air, as the animal appears to be diving while the hunter is throwing
his harpoon into its body. Upon the upper half of this same side of
the bow, the two sides being divided by parallel median lines, are a
number of whale tails, indicating whales that have escai)ed, while
others .ire shown in the attitude of swimming. Near the left is a very
conspicuous umiak occupied by four hunters. Over the bow of the
boat projects a large harpoon resting upon the harpoon rest. This
illustration is reproduced elsewhere with further explanation. The
upper or convex side of the bow is also divided into two longitudinal
ridges or faces. Upon one of these is the portrayal of umiaks rowing
toward the left, one hunter harpooning an animal, while at the extreme
left four hunters appear to be carrying an umiak toward the water, as
if preparing for departure. The right half of tlie record appears to
represent the other line, as there are several habitations with smoke
rising from the smoke holes, votive offerings attached near by, as well
as scaffolds. In this instance the latter are evidently for burial pur-
poses and not for food. This is made clear from the fact that the
votive offerings are placed in close contact with the respective burials.
A little farther to the right are three men returning with a sledge and
a single dog, two additional persons appearing to lag behind, as if
wearied or bent with age. The representation of a human ligure car-
rying a staff" is a common in<lication of age or indigence, and occurs
very frequently in Egyptian hieroglyi)hs, as well as in the mnemonic.
One of the individuals shown in the Kskimo record stoops forward
very much, and this is believed to indicate age. Immediately behind
him is the rude outline of a fox, which may have reference to his being
a shaman, or he may possibly have captured such an animal. To the
right is a ligure denoting a wliale's tluke, indicating that the hunters
are also whalers, because to the right of this tiuke is an umiak with
two persons sitting in it using the paddle. The hunter in the bow of
tliis boat has his paddle projecting forward and not quite touching the
water, the perspective being admirably represented, as it does not cut
tlirough and destroy the structure of the boat. Upon the other face of
this same bow are several umiaks in pursuit of a whale and several
natives dragging seals, two of these natives having attached to the rear
part of their bodies appendages drawn exactly like a dog's tail or a fox's

i ;« 1 .

912

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

tail, which indicateH that the natives belonged to tlioHO chisses referred
to by Captain Heechey in his Notice of tlie Iiulians of Hchisma Reef
Inlet, who wore sucli ornaments attiiched to their clothing, giving them
a ridiculous appearance, and may probably have occasioned the report
of the Chukche that the people of that region have tails like dogs.

Tlio remaining figures upon this bow consists of human beings and a
few animal forms, near tlie extreme right being a curious outline of an
umiak, the occupants of which are shown with extended arms from
which numerous short lines project. These may denote the fur upon
the sleeves of the dress, or they may have other signification, or they
may possibly be merely a fancy of the engraver.

SHAMANISM.

Although the Eskimo are extremely superstitious, and numbers of
them are recognized shamans of ability, yet there seems to be a gen-
eral scarcity of pictographic matter pertaining thereto. This is strange,
too, as among some peoples the records are almost entirely devoted to
shamauistic ceremonies, and in several instances, as among theOjibwa,
for instance, the mnemonic and hunting records — all shamanistic — are
the only relics of pictography at this day.

l.t. ;■

[•i'

MYTHIC ANIMALS.

But a few specimens portraying mythic animals occur, the following
being the most conspicuous:

The accompanying specimen, on plate 72, is from Cape Prince of
Wales, and was collected by Mr. E. W. Nelson. It represents a whale-
line guide, and is used on the bow of an umiak used for whale hunt-
ing. The two pieces of ivory, measuring in height 4^ inches, are
ingeniously Joined together by mortising, the slot in either piece being
made so as to face its fellow ; and into these slots is afterwards placed
a piece to hold both sides in place, by being secured by ivory pegs
which pass through at right angles to the connecting piece, as will be
observed in the illustrations. In the lower cut will be noticed an addi-
tional piece, larger than the round pegs, which consists of a large
glass bead.

The horns of the specimen represent the heads of a mammal, the
eyes consisting of wooden pegs, while the nostrils are drillings filled
in with pegs which appear to have been blackened.

In the upper figure are portrayed two thunderbirds or eagles, each
descending to grasp a whale, the latter having spray in the act of
being ejected from the "blowholes." In the lower figure the birds are
represented as having secured the whales and have risen into the air,
as seems indicated by the form of the whale on the right-hand side.
The engraving of the characters is decidedly bold and expressive, the
entire surface of the etched portions still retaining more or less black
color. The general artistic form of the bird is very like that usually

referred
ma Keef
iig them
le report
logs,
gs and a
ne of au
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, or tbey

libers of
)e a gen-
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jlies, are
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ory pegs
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an addi-
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le act of
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and side,
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ess black
,t usually

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EXPLANATION OF PLATFI 72.

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Rtporl ol U S N«finniil Mmeum, Ifl95 — Hoffmnn

Plate 72.

Mythic Biro and Whale on Harpoon Rest.

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Report of U. S. Nationtl MuMum, 1895,— Hoffman.

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Records of Shamanistic

Plate 73.

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GRAPHIC AET OF THE ESKIMOS.

913

i'uiiiul in Algoiikiaii pictographs, and does not keep in general liar
mony witli Alaskan art, although the whales, which are true, typical,
Alaskan examples, seems at once to repel the suspicion of intrusive
cliaracters, or such as are non-Innuit.

TT-ir

Ti n —

Fig. 130.

MYTHIC SERPENTS.

^Sr^

The four perforations in the piece are for attaching it to the gunwale
of the umiak.

The illustrations given, a, h, and c, of fig. l.*i{>, represent mythic
serpents, and are described in some of the folk tales, v very much
resembles the " water monster" of the Ojibwa,
though it is scarcely possible that the cult of
the latter could have been conveyed, even in
the slightest degree, to the Eskimo. Other
intervening tribes, notably so those of the
A thabascas family, have serpent myths, and Fig.m.

Irom this people the idea may have been con- "^"""^^ a^imai. i.KvocRrao na-
veyed to the Innuit, especially as the latter

are in fretpieut communication with the Kenai Indians, the northwest-
ernmo.*<t tribe of the above-mentioned famiy.

It has been suggested, too, that the creatures may have been copied
from or suggested by illustrations in newsi)apers or other literature.

In fig. 137 is shown a mythic creature taking up a man and n'eparing
to devour him. The belief in water monsters survives among the
natives of the southern coast, opposite the island of Kadiak, a creature
resembling somewhat a reptilian foi-m in imitation of
an alligator, of which illustraticuis are also given else-
where.

The outlines in fig. 138 are not sufliciently specific to
indicate the kind of creature intended, but the indica-
tion of the heart, together with the voire line, or life
lim\ extending therefrom to the open month, is very much like some of
the figures found among the Zuni and the Ojibwa.

This peculiar line denotes the animal to be of a mythic or, i)erhap8,
sacred character, and has reference to ceremonials known only to the
shamans or members of certain (;ult societies.
NAT MUS 95 r)8

Fig. 138.

MYTFlir ANIMAL.

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REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

In plate 66, fig. 2, is tlie engraved figure of a seal, within which are
various objects, animate and inanimate, resembles that class of sacred
objects often carried by the Ojibwa jea'sakid or juggler.

Fig. 139 represents a series of characters only i)art of which are
intelligible. No. 1 is evidently — from the curve of the horns — a rein-
deer, while No. 2 is explained to be a mythic animal — a serpent, as
similarly elongated quatlrupeds have been interpreted by some natives.
No. 3 appears to be the first of a series of seven figures (Nos. 3, 4, 5,
7, 8, 0, 10) which are apparently decorated with fringed coats, like the
neighboring Kolosh and Keuai Indians, and marks of bird or other
faces upon their heads.

No. 6 is an aijuatic bird in flight, which at*once shows the difference
in execution of ideas, the liuman figure being bifurcated as above indi-
cated. No. 11 is a mammal, resembling the usual character denoting
the^JM^oruZrt".

CEREMONIALS.

Mr. Murdoch remarks that at some of the ceremonial dances of the
Eskimo, at I'oint linrrow, the participants wear masks, some of which
are sometimes decorated with slight ornamentation.

-it ^A->- ^ 1\ ' ^^

Fig. 139.
HVTIIIC CREATURES.

Gorgets are also worn, and fig. 3 represents an excellent example
with ornamentations relating to fishing and hunting. The same author
remarks, also, that the more southern Eskimo of Alaska are in the
liabit of using in their dances very elaborate and highly ornamented
and painted masks, of which the National Museum po.ssesses a very
large collection. The ancient Aleuts also used masks. On the other
hand, no other Eskimo, save '' those of Alaska, ever use masks in their
l^erformances, as far as I can learn, with the solitary exception of the
people of Baffin Land, where a mask of the hide of the bearded seal is
worn on certain occasions. Nordenskiiild saw one wooden mask .among
the peojde near the winter ((uarters of the Vega, but learned that this
had been brought from Uering Strait, and probably from America."'

The dancing mask i)reviously referred to and shown in plate 16 is
from Kuskoquim, and was collected by Mr. E. W. Nelson. The speci-
men is of interest from the fact that it constitutes perhaps the only
example of woodwork bearing pictographs in color. The specimen,
including the lower i)endant, measures about OA inches in length, the
width of the largest piece — bearing the eyes, nose, and mouth — being
almost 3 inches across. Upon the top and right side are a number of
punctures for the insertion of feathers, oidy three of the latter being
now present. The four slats of wood are attached to the main piece

> Ninth Annual Report of tho Knrean of Ethnology, 1887-'88, 1802, p. 370.

which are
of s.acred

(Thich are
8 — a rein-
?rpent, as
e natives.
08. .3, 4, 5,
s, like the
or other

rliff'erence

l)ove iudi-

denotiug

ses of the
of which

example
ue author
re in the
lamented
Bs a very
the other
s in their
on of the
ed seal is
sk among
that this
jrica."'
ate 1(J is
lie speci-

the only
ipecimen,
ugth, the
h — being
amber of
ier being
aiu piece

370.

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Repoit of U. S. National Museum, 1895. — Ho nan.

Plate 74.

::^-

(JKAPHIC ART OF THK ESKIMOS.

915

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03

by ineans of thin strands of bark. The Heveral pieces were rudely
besmeared with a white chalky paint, while over several portions of
them are marking's in black.

Tpon the left cheek of the mask are four vertically arranged figures
of masks, rather jirotes)]ue in expression. The lower one is not us
elaborately drawn as the others. Upon the upper piece of wood, upon
the left of the mask, is an outline of an umiak, with sail spread, iu
the bow of the boat is the figure of a native with hands and arms
uplifted, while another llgure is visible in the stem acting as helmsman.

The markings upon the remaining piece are ))robably meaningless.

Among the Indiansof the Northwest (Joast, the lakutat and Tshilkat,
and to a certain extent the neighboring tribes, nnisked dances are of
frequent occurren«'e, the i)urport being usually ceremonial; though at
this day much of the former sacred luiss of these ceremonials has become
debased. Among the Kskinu) ceremonial «lan»es are of great impor-
tance, though not of such fretpience as among their southern neighbors.

In llg. 110 the vertical strokes shown by Nos. 1 and 10 represent the
timbers supporting the structure within which the dauic takes place,
not suOicient space being available upon the specimen of ivory to rep-

lllljut^lli

Fiff. 140.

CBIteMOMAI, DANCE,

resent the roof. Nos. 2, 7, and are the drununers, each armed with a
Hat, tajnbourine drum, generally used by the shamen everywhere. Nos.
3, 4, 5, 0, and 8 represent the dancers, marked with what appears to be
bear heads — made of some light wood, such as cedar. The attitudes of
the dancers are remarkably clever and lifelike, showing the various
attitudes, both natural and assumed, in imitation of the animal repre-
sented, as may be found at any dance of aboriginal peoples when they
attain that ])articular degree of enthusiasm consequent upon and per-
cei)tible to the beholder after a feast.

This engraving, plate 7.3, tig. 2, is one of the most interesting on
account of the portrayal of the transmission of sound, a stage of devel-
opment found in but few instances in Alaskan pi(!tographs, but of
frequentoccurrence among the Cheyennes,and other neighboring tribes,
in the vicinity of Foft Sill, Indiau Territory, and other posts farther
north.

The entire record relates to a ceremonial diince, held on account of a
sick person, and the indication of the village houses and sledges of
visiting natives.

The narrator is iu'licated at No. 1, his arms outstretched to embrace
the surrouudiug area us the place where he was, aud which, perhaps,

916

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1H95.

;1: I

is his residence also. Nos. ti, G, and 8 denote scaflolds for fond, the
accumulated material being apparent upon the transverse poles. At the
residence at No. 3 smoke is emerging IVom the smoke hole in the roof,
and someone is also upon the roof of the entrance reaching outward
toward what may have been intended for a scaffold, but which, because
of erosion, had become partly obliterated, as have also ])ortions of the
human beings beneath. The next house. No. i, also has a column of
smoke rising from the smoko hole, while several vertical lines before
the entrance indicate the original i)ortrayal of the ncciessary storehouse
or food scattold. No. a is another permanent habitation, while at No.
7, over the roof of the entrance to the house, is the outline of a man, hor-
izontal and Avith the hand thrown downward as if making a common
gesture sign for lyinff down, or to He there, having reference i)erhaps to
the recumbent position of the occupant, who may be sick and for whose
benefit the ceremonies are in operation. A heavy column of smoke is
issuing from the chimney.

Upon the house No. 9 are two persons apparently interested in
something or someone at No. 7, no doubt referring to the sick man.
At No. 10 is designated the entrance to the house No. D, and upon the
roof are four persons; the one at the right holding in one hand tam-
bourine drum, while with the other hand he is beating it, the sound
therefrom passing forward over the group of dancers before the house.
In the rear of the drummer are three assistant musicians, and from the
absence of drums or rattles they appear to be singers, the belief being
furthermore strengthened from the fact that each of the three has an
arm or hand elevated; the one at the right appearing to place his
hand before his mouth to denote in gesture language xpeecli, voice,
song, a common jjortrayal in various Indian pictographs, as well as
Maya, Mexican, Egyptian, and llittite hieroglyphs and objective repre-
sentations of voice in various forms. The remaining figures also appear
to have their hands directed upward before the face, an approach in
gesture to the preceding. The sign for sing, singing, is made by hold-
ing the palm upward and passing the hand u[»ward and forward from
the mouth, though beginning before the neck and passing at from 6 to
10 inches before the mouth.

The narrow vertical line with streamers of cloth or calico attached,
and surmounted by the wooden effigy of a bird, is a votive offering or
♦'shaman stick" erected upon the roof of the house No. 9 in commemo-
ration of one of the household.

The character at No. V2 is another shaman, armed with a drum, which
he holds in one hand and with the other strikes the head with a drum-
stick, which is seen crossing the surface in the endeavor to drive away
one of the evil spirits or demons hovering about in the air after being
expelled by exorcism from the body of the sick man.

The group embracing nine figures, No. 13, denotes the assistant
shamans driving about and punishing the evil spirits — the same one

ORAnilC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

017

heiiig 1u>rc loprodiuuMl with tiplittcd liaiids niul once as u small bein^ —
tlioy being masked and decorated witli fringed sleeves and garments
and armed with weapons possessing mysterious power in exorcism.
The demon appears in nearly each instance to supplicate the shaman
not to strike with the uplifted rod, the gesture sign for sup]>lication
being accurately jiortrayed, both hands being elevated toward the one
addressed, not only surpassing in })ictorial execution the sann^ idea as
found among other American aborigines, but being exactly similar to
the hieroglyph, for the same idea, of the Kgyptians.

Nos. 14, ir», and 1(5 are sledges, drawn up near to the phu* of the
dance. The representations of the sledges are more nearly like some
llgures of the baidarku shown elsewhere, because of the abnostvertitMl
bow and the dark line along the top, consisting of two horizontal lines
within which are short vertical strokes, the latter denoting bales of
peltries and furs received from other natives for barter. The man at
the fore part of the sledge in No. 14 is smoking a])ipe, while the iigures
on top of both No. 14 and 15 appear to enjoy the scene, tiieir arms
ap])arently raised as if in acclamation. At No. 1(5 the dog is assisted
in pulling the sledge by the man, Avho is dragging at a cord, the load
being evidently a heavy one, as the uuni at the side of the sledge is
also tugging at it to assist in pro]mlsion.

The scene presented in plate 73, tig. 1, is of interest, because the
ceremonial <lance is i)erformed in the middle of the village, as indicated
by the peculiar distribution of the habitations an«l the sledges of the
visitors.

The characters mi Nos. 1, 2, and 3 denote permanent or winter habi-
tations, upon which are observed some of the witnesses to the dance.
No. 4 is a high pole erected between the habitations, and upon it is an
cfligy of an animal, while the pole itself is decorated with streamers of
calico or cloth, tlannel, etc. No. 5 is a slender stick, upon the top of
which is placed the wooden efhgy of a bird, the whole being designated
a "shaman stick" or votive offering, being a token or memorial erected
by a relative or friend to one deceased. The memorial is intended also
as a "luck stick," i. e., a public testimonial of wishing luck to the
spirit of the dead.

Near theliabitation No. 2 is an oblong figure upon stilts, denoting a
scaffold upon which food is stored. These are so erected as to be
beyond the reach of dogs and noxious or predatory animals.

Nos. (> to 12 are sledges belonging to a i)aity of fur traders who
(chanced to stop at the village. At Nos. and 12 the dogs have
already been unhitched and the owners are seated at the front, smok-
ing their pipes. Jiales of goods are indicated by the solid outline of
oblong figures raised upon short lines above the sledges themselves.

The human figures represented by Nos. 13 to 22 are the shaman
and his assistants. These are duplicate characters of the latter por-
trayed in driving away evil spirits, Nos. 25 to 20, which an^ indicated

t.-'!

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918

KEPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896.

OH liuiiiiui tui'in.s, curved, with tlic I'uot and Ic^'h turned upward and the
arniH thrown ibrwurd, uh if making violent eftbrts at Jumping. These
spirits are driven around from one ])oint to another, Home sluinmns
driving and Htriliing tlieni to compel their de]>artnre, while others arc
assisting in exorcism by using tlio magic rattles, seen as short T-shaped
figures in tlie hands of some of tlie assistants.

A11oftliisccremonyisforthe]uirposeof exorcism, the expulsion of the
demons of disease from the body of a sick man, indicated as wrap]>ed
up at Xo. lit, where he is supposed to be lying upon the ground.

The entire grouping of tlie figures is, necessarily, ])laced along two
base lines, each line running parallel with the border of the ivory bow
upon which the record is i)ortrayed. The heads of the different indi-
viduals, as well as the housetops and the toi)S of the sledges, are all
directed inward toward the middle, this being the limit of possibility
of artistic execution in attempting a bird's eye view of the whole vil
lageand its dancing ground — the latter being about the high decorated
pole, at No. 4, but for lack of space the ceremonial is transferred to
where it is drawn — the intenticm being to represent the dancers as if
in a circle, their movements being directed around the pole bearing the
animal tigiire.

3 4 5 6 7

Fifj. 141.
RIIAMAMSTIC CEKEMKNIAL.

Two distinct styles of engraving occur in the pictograph represented
in lig. 141, although they are probably by the sauie artist. The habi-
tations shown in Xos. 1 and 3 are in delicately engraved lines quite
foreign in execnti<m to the crudely carved figures in Nos. 4 to 11. The
houses are in ])rotile, and both indicate the place of entrance at the
right side, beneath the delicate vertical rod projecting .above. Human
figures are seen ui)on the roofs, those upon No. .'5 appearing to be occu-
pied in an animated conversation, as suggested by the attitude of the
arms.

The vertical poles, connected by a crosapiece, indicated in Xo. 2, rep-
resent a ra(!k where lish and the meat of game are suspended for dry-
ing. The figure of a man engaged in some occupation connected with
the rack is observed between the vertical poles.

The human figures indicated in Nos. 4 to 9 are engaged in a dance,
the attitudes of all but two being well executed in the representation of
the peculiar manner of leaning forward the body, common to nearly all
aboriginal tribes when participating in such pastimes. In Xos. 6 and
8 are seen peculiar tail-like appendages, representing merely ornamental
streamers often tied to the belt at the spiral portion to represent the
tails of animals which these natives sometimes imitate, both in dress
and actions.

OliAI'HIC Altr OF THE ESKIMOS.

919

Tliu twu luainiiiiilian fit^iiros at tlio extreino rij^lit — Nos. 10 aixl 11 —
aio (I()j,'K, facing on«^ another, an attitiulo U88iuiie<l by strangtiis, as
tlifise lia<l probably acuoiupauicd their masters to the phu-e of the
ceremony portrayed.

IMate 73, lig. 1 represents a ceremonial dance. The characters in
Nos. 1 and I, representing three pairs of human forms, are dancers,
who arc aiding the shaman at Xo. U, who is shown with his hands
uplifted and throwing them circularly about as if "stirring up a
bree/e," which lui is in fact doing, in »o far as it pertains to the spirits
of the air, whose aid he is invoking. All this is being done becaus(^
the seated figure at the left end of the habitation. No. 3, is reipiesting
the shaman's assistance. Four other human figures are indicattnl alxuit
the same habitation, though partly worn ot}', and at the right-hand
upper corner is a shaman stick or votive ottering, placed there to the
menuuy of one of the owner's family. The stick a^tpears to be sur-
mounted by an etligy of a bird, this being the common practice. Nos.
.") and appear to be dancers, each armed with rattles, small round
frames of wood, having both flat sides covered with seal gut or buck-
skin, being used by shamen or their assistants. No. 7 denotes another
habitation, at the left end of which is a votive ottering and at the
other a human figure, who, with his left hand, reaches down to another.
No. 8, who appears in the act of winking aid from spirits in the air.

No. is undetermined, but Nos. 10, 11, and 12 are reindeer, the first
and last having attached to them the spirit or guardian of the shaman,
who has compelled the animals to come w itliin reach of the hunter's
gun, though only one of the three. No. 1-, having been se(Mired.

No. 13 represents the shaman in another instance when his services
were requested; this time by a native shown in No. 14, at the left-hand
end and seated or leaning against the dwelling. Some votive offerings
are also perceived upon the roof, while to the right. No. 15, are a num
ber of natives indulging in a dance, probably a ceremonial one, as the
record is one pertaining to shamanistic matters entirely.

The ivory bag haiulle shown on plate 32, fig. 7, is an excellent piece
of workmanship, and presents evidence of artistic expression not met
with in any other specimens.

The central disk presents therelief carving of a human face, the nose
being clearly indicated as ditterent from that drawn or engraved upon
the seal's face, while below the mouth are the vertical lines to denote
the tattooing practiced by the women. The expression of the face is
rather Arm and represents a frown. The ring surrounding the face
is the fur hood, the fur itself being indicated by the short radiating
lines extending therefrom.

The opposite side of the specimen is a reproduction of the obverse,
with the exception, however, that the face is that of a man, the moutli
being portrayed by having the corners turned upward to denote i\
smile, while below either corner is a circular spot to indicate the
labrets. The furred hood is also shown.

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KKPORT OP NATIONAL MUHEUM, 1895.

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Upon cither Hide o( thu I'auu arc Hoals, oriitiinuiittMl with myeil cir-
cles, >vhiU) a,\ouii the h»wer cdp) tuc two parallel liiicH hearing; interior
decorations of simple cross lines.

The upper e«l^e has a simple longitudinal crease, while beueaih this
line is t'lirtlierntoro ornamented by short lateral ones.

INDIVIDIAL SHAMANISM.

The illustration prt'sented in i\\r. 141! is |>erhaps unique, the ori"'i<al
having been obtained from a native well versed in shamanism, a
fact juofi'ssed to be one.

Descriptions of Hhannms' ceremonials in medicine hxlj^es, especially
in the initiation of candidates, were published by the present writer in
the Seventh Annual Ueport of the llureau of ICthnolo^^y, and relate

to the Ojibwa Midc'wiwin or
(Irand Medicine Society, a cult
society known to the Catludic
Fathers who first canui to Can
ada, but which, until the above
rVport was published, had
never been thorou}»hly under-
stooil. The complete exposi-
tion (»f the mythology d
ritual thereto was jjiven '
present writer; and a similar
contribution to science has
been recently ]>ublished in the
Fourteenth Annual Keport of
the same J Uireau, and embraces
the exposition of the ceremoni-
als of the several cult societies
of the Menomini Indians, the
report being a part only of the
memoir which embr.aces a com-
plete history of that tribe, lirst
known through their discovery
by Nicollet, in H!34.
The illustration given above, representing an Kskimo shaman heal-
ing a sick man, with the explanation given by the recorder thereof, is
of peculiar value and interest. The Innuit ceremonial structures are
partly underground, the roof being covered with turf and other
materials, and the entrance thereto being by a partly underground or
possibly tunnel like passage- way.

In the figure, a represents the entrance to the chamber, or lodge, as
a habitation of natives or Indians is often designated; b, the tireplace;
c, a vertical ])iece of wood upon which is [>laced a cross piece, upon
each end of which is a lamp made of steatite aud fed with fat; d, the

Via. 142-

HHAHAN ClRINO A SICK MAN IN THE L'BUBMUNIAL
HTKICTIRE.

OKAI'IIIC AKT OF TMK K8KIM(>8.

M21

iniisieiaiiH upon rai.s(>d Hcuta (Iriiniiniiii; upon tainboiiriiH^ (Iriiins, mid
pi'udiiciii^ IIUI8U; to tli» inovenieiitH of tlio slinniaii (liirin)<: liis incanta-
tioiiH ill exoriMHin^ tliu <U>iiioii, or evil Mpirit, Huppost'd to liavo posses-
sion of the patient; e, visitors and friends seated aronnd tliu iiit^'riorof
the chamber to witness the ceremony; ,/', the sliaman represented in
making; his iiuMintations preparatory to exorcising: from the body of the
psitient the demon to whose presence the disesise is attributed; //, the
patient seated upon tlie th>or of the chamber — the U'gs bein^ fohle<l
under iiis body and scarcely visitile to the behohU>r, they are omitted
in the picto^raph. /( represents the shaman in another sta^e of the
ceremonies, driving; out the demon. / is anotlier lif^ure of the ])atient —
from hi$^ head is seen to issue a line connecting: it with ./'. ; is the
demon. A- is the shaman in the act of driving' the demon out of the
lod^e or chamber — in his hands are sacred objects, his personal fetish,
in which liis power lies; 1, t'le tlyinj; demon eiub'avoriiijj to esciipo
throu}>:h the doorway, ni and n are assistants to tlic! shaman, stationed
at the entrance to strike and hasten the departure of the demon.

JMate G4, ti^. 1, represents a drill bow troni the north of Norton Sound.
Contrary to the usual custom, this specimen is curved e<ljjewise, so that
upon the back appears one continuous record, while upon the front side
there are two, the front being beveled from tlu^ central line. Quite a
number of interesting tigures appear u|>oii this record, the results in
hunting having apparently been brought about by the kind otlices of
a shaman, to whom application lias been made for success by the
reconler or owner. In the smal. p;ice at the extreme left is tlie outline
of a human ligure, the arms bent and the hands touching the sides,
two i»rominent ears, and three lines directed iipwanl from tln^ head.
This represents the shaman winise intliieiice had been obtained. Imme-
diately below this human tigure is an oblong outline attatOied to a
delicate groove or line extending forward t«) a whale. This represents
the doat attached to the harpoon line. The next character rei)resents
a seal facing the right, its vis-si-vis being a native crawling along with a
spear in his hand, evidently intending to capture it. The short etchings
projecting from the ba:e line and extending to the right to a distance of
about three inches, represent a marsh. Five seals are shown about the
middle of this marsh, as if swimming in the water with only the head
and top of the body projecting, lieyond these animals, and at the end
of the marsh, is the outline of a boat. Some distance to tl-e right is a
ligure very much resembling a crouching bear. This aguin is a repro-
duction of the tigure of the shaman whose kindly otlices had been
secured upon another occasion. He seems to be throwing forward a
magic bullet which, used by the hunter in the kaiak above him, enabled
the hunter to secure the seal he wanted, as shown by the bullet mark
above the animal a short distance in front of the kaiak. Timui the
same face of the bow will be observed a number of characters as if
suspended from the upper line thereof. liy turning the bow about, the

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REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

I)icture8 will be brought into proper position. Beginning at the left,
are two elongated figures, each upon stilts, which represent the scaf-
folds upon which these boats are placed for drying. Three winter habi-
tations are next in order, about which are a number of human beings
in various attitudes. Smoke issues from the top of the house, and the
vertical rods projecting from the first and second indicate votive offer-
ings. To the right of the third house are three human beings standing
about an umiak, which is drawn foreshortened, and a line extending to
the right to an oblong figure, which is a seal which they have captured.
There are outlines of five natives with arms extended, one with a spear,
but the import of these characters is not intelligible. The next figure,
however, is shown in the act of dragging a seal, while beyond it is
another seal, toward whic'i a native is throwing his spear. Beyond
the latter is sliown the body of another seal, toward which a hunter is
crawling on all fours, and in an opposite direction from him is his com-
panion engaged in like i)ursuit of another seal, shown to the right. As
the bow is shown in the illustration, with the figure of a shaman at the
right, it w I be observed that along the upper face are a number of
illustrations which represent \arious avocations. At the extreme right
is the body of a rein<leer lying upon the ground, the horns at the right
l)rojecting upward, and uiion the body of the animal, as well as behind
it, are birds feeding upon it. Following this toward the right are four
other animals of like species, with the outlines of a fifth, which can not
be clearly determined. Following the base line for some distance, we
come to another deer in the act of browsing. A little beyond the
middle, toward the right, are three natives, the first going toward the
right with his harpoon directed forward, the second with a line extend-
ing to the right to some object upon the ground, wh'ch the third appears
to be stabbing with his spear, the weapon being uplifted. This may
represent the killing of a seal. Another native is seen approaching
this group of three, beyond which is the outline of a large mammal,
evidently intended to represent a deer.

By again turning the bow upside down, so that the upper line becomes
the base line, another record presents itself. The group of figures at
the extreme left denotes two natives occupied in boiling something, as
their hands are attached to short lines extending into the kettles, which
arc placed against the fire from which the smo^ie is rising. It is very
likely that they are cooking the meat of the reindeer, as the hide of
the animal is 8usi)ended from the horizontal drying pole or scaffold at
the right, beneath Avhich another native is occupied in hanging up the
meat. The large, irregularly drawn body to the right of this scaffold
appears to denote a habitation. Two human beings are engaged
between this and a triangular body which may denote a summer habi-
tation, the latter being usually made of bark, canvas, or boards. To
the right of the triangular building is a human being, beside him being
another scaffold or drying pole from which is suspended the hide of a

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

923

a b

FiK. 143.
a, 8IIAMAN MAKINO IN('AN'TATIOMS; b,
INVOKINfJ AID.

Hinall mammal. Beyond the middle of the bow, toward the right, is a fig-
ure of a kaitik with a native within it paddling forward toward a larger
umiak under Bail. In front of this stands a man with a gun uplifted,
as if shooting toward the deer whose feet are attached to the upper
line or base line of the preceding record. Beyond this is the outline of
another umiak iinder sail, and occupied by
three hunters.

In fig. 143, No. a, is represented a native
who desired the services of a shaman, and,
upon visiting one, declared his needs and
probably paid the fee usually required.

The shaman, making his usual ceremonies
of incantation to invoke his guardian spirit,
or tutelary daimon, is shown with that
creature about to depart on the mission
desired by the shaman.

The spirit is a bird, and, as all flying
creatures are deemed lucky, it is here represented in unusually large
size, to increase the importance of the performer.

Another illustration of making incantation is shown in fig. 143&, the
shaman expressing his ability to cause fish to come to the hunter by
whom the proper fee is paid. The drawing is taken from an Alaskan
shaman's dnim, but appears to be foreign to pure Eskimo drawing,
having probably originally come from the Thlinkit, or neighboring
tribes of Athabaskan stock.

A remarkably interesting engraving is reproduced in fig. 144. The
profession of the Eskimo shaman is very like that of his confrere of the
Menomini and Ojibwa Indians, oi Wisconsin and Minnesota, respec-
tively. He has the power to invoke his i)ersonal guardian or tutelary
daimon in aiding him to secure the services of other deities or spirits
to perform certain acts of exorcism, or incantation and invocation, so
that a spirit messenger may be sent on almost any mission for informa-
tion that may be desired; or the guardian spirit or daimon may bring
about some events, or control the actions of both men and animals, as

may be desired.

In the ilhistration, fig.
144, is shown lirst, at No.
1, an assistant, who aids
the i)erf'ormer. No. 2, by
using the magic or
"medicine drum." No
doubt a hunter has called, .and for a certain consideration, or ])romise
of some parts of the game secured, has solicited the shaman for "hunt-
ing medicine," in order that he may secure a whale.

The two men, the shaman and his assistant, are both within the
shaman's lodge, the inclosure or habitation being indicated by the

3 4

Fig. 144.
SHAMANISTK" CEBKMONY.

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REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

ii'

circular line wliii^h surrounds them and is planted upon the ground
or base line. The mystic induence has been made to secure a whale,
ISo. 4, which has been compelled by the shaman's alleged supernatural
power, in the guise of an anthropoid deity, to swim to the locality
where the ceremonies are performed, in order that the hunter may be
enabled to reach him. The short serrated marking between the whale's
head and the figure of the spirit denotes the spray spouted from the
whale.

The line connecting the spirit and the shaman's hand is the indica-
tion of the magic influence possessed by the latter over the spirit
messenger.

Other illustrations of shamanistic power are given, especially exam-
ples of exorcism of demons possessing the sick and to whom illness is
attributed.

The illuatration in ftg. 145 is reproduced from a walrus-ivory drill
bow in the museum of the Alaska Commercial Company, of San Fran-
cisco, California. The interpretation given to the present writer is as
follows :

Two sick men were brought to the shaman for treatment. The
shaman's summer habitations are represented in Nos. 1 and 2, the

^'^^>^ >"^rfr ^i^Mb.\

8 705 4 3 2 1

Fig. 145.
SHAMAN EXORCISINO DEMON.

presence of trees denoting that there was a grove close by. No. 3 is the
shaman, who is represented in the act of holding one of his "demons"
or personal deities, with whose .aid he pretends to expel malignant
spirits or demons from the body of the sick man. No. 4 is the demon
under control of the shaman. No. 5 represents the same shaman in the
act of exorcising the demon in the patient. Nos. and 7 are the sick
men who are under treatment and from whom the "evil beings" have
been expelled. The two "evil beings" or demons are shown in No.
8, represented in violent movement in their endeavor to escape the
powerful influence of the shaman.

The engraving presented in plate 73, fig. 3, is without doubt one of
the cleverest artistic products thus far received from Alaska and
known to be the work of a native. The entire grouping of the herd of
reindeer, some of the animals walking leisurely along while others stop
to browse, and while the foremost manifest curiosity and alarm, indi-
cates that the artist was not only a close observer of the habits of the
animal, but had an unusually keen acquaintance with the anatomical
structure and the attitudes assumed under difierent circumstances so
as to express the emotions.

OKAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

925

Tho hunters, Nos. 18 and 19, had gono to a shaman to seek his aid in
securing luck for game, and the shaman (wlio is represented by the
upper part of the body only, hands outstretched, above the two rein-
deer, Nos. 11 and 12) being favorably disposed, is driving the game
in the way of the hunters, his assistants, at Nos. 1, 2, and 5, also driv*
ing animals by being portrayed as if riding upon their backs.

No. 4 represents a fawn, the open mouth suggesting its crying to its
parents, while the upper figure at No. 3 and the legless one at tho
space between Nos. 7 and 8 are represented as beyond the lirst tile of
animiils — an attempt at perspective, no doubt.

The attitudes of Nos. 12 and IG are a good attempt at foreshorten-
ing, rather a difficult undertaking for a native barbarian.

A doe is also shown above the animal at No. 10, walking parallel
with the herd, No. 17, but her legs are supposed to be invisible because
of her being beyond those in the foreground.

The herd at No. 17 is portrayed as an elongated body with numerous
heads and two legs more than necessary for tlie eight animals iiulicated.
In nearly all instances the horns are carefully drawn so as to show tho
peculiar curve toward the front as well as the so-called snow shovels —
the horns projecting forward and downward over the nose, and by
means of which the animals cut through the snow in search of lichens
and other food.

Nos. 18 and 19 are the hunters with bow and arrow, the attitudes
assumed in shooting being well represented. No. 20 is the hut.

In the accompanying illustrations, plate 74, are three views selected
from a drill bow, in the museum of the Alaska Commercial (Company
of San Francisco, California. The rod upon which the characters occur
is here presented in three sections. A, B, and C. In A is found the
beginning of the narrative of one who applied to a sliaman for success
in hunting; which extends only one-half of tho length of the rod.
The course of the inscription is then continued on the adjacent side of
the rod at the middle, and reading in both directions (sections B and C),
toward the two files of approaching animals. Biind C occupies the
whole of one side.

The following is the explanation of the characters:

A. No. 1 represents a baidarka, or skin boat, resting on poles; this
is done in order that the vessel may dry. No. 2 is one of the habita-
tions of the village, as are also those in No. 4, and the storehouses in
Nos. 5 and 7. No. 3 denotes a tree located in the village. No. G is a
tree, between the branches of which and the roofs of the houses are
place<l poles for drying food — fish, etc. The characters from No. 1 to
No. 7 signify the settlement, the home of the person to whom the
history relates. No. 8 is the hunter sitting on the ground asking for
aid and making the gesture for supplication, asking by elevating both
hands toward the sky, or toward the one from whom aid is solicited.
No. 9 is the shaman to whom application is made by the hunter desiring

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REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

8uece88 in the cliuse. The Hliainau has finished his incantatious, and
while still retaining his left arm in the position for that ceremony holds
the right toward the hnnter, giving him the success requested. No. 10
is the shaman's winter lodge, while Nos. 11 and 13 are trees surrounding
it, as well as the eummer habitation noted at No. 12.

In the illustration, B is a record i)ertaiuing to the hunter's previous
ai)plication to another shaman with whom no satisfactory arrangement
could be made. Consequently, the shaman caused the game to flee and
get out of the hunter's way. The detailed description is as follows:

B. No. 14 is a tree standing beside the habitation No. 1~>, upon which
the shaman is observed standing and driving back the game visible
over the remainder of the scene. No. 10 is a deer, the nearest to and
the lirst to feel the shaman's order to return to a safe place. No. 17
are the horns of a deer protruding from the surface of the river which
the animal is swimming. No. 18 is a fawn, recognizable also by the
unusually long legs as compared to the size of the body.

In the last panel, C, is recorded the continuation of the story begun
by the recorder or hunter in A, No. 8.

No. 19 represents a tree located near the hunter's habitation, which is
shown in No. 20. The hunter, designated in the attitude of shooting,
at No. 21, after having been granted the request for success, placed the
effigy of his totem upon the top of his house as a mark of gratification
and to insure greater luck in his undertaking. Nos. 22 sind 23 embrace
five deer t^hich were secured, the heads of the animals being turned
toward the hunter, denoting that the game was captured. No. 24 is
the shaman's demon driving the game toward the hunter, while in Nos.
25, 26, 27, and 28 are indicated other demons who were invoked to aid
the chief tutelary guardian of the shaman primarily invoked for this
service.

The figure in No. 25 is a water monster resembling, in this instance,
a whale, but which is represented by other of the Innuit as a four or
six legged serpent. The latter idea is common in the mythology of the
Algonkian tribes; but the existence of such a being in the mythology
of the Aigalu'^amut and Kiate'^amut, Innuit as well perhaps as among
others of this nation, seems entirely original with them.

Plate 04, tig. 2, represents a bone wedge for splitting thin strips of
wood for fish traps. The specimen is from Nunivak Island, and is
remarkable for the curious engraving which is shown to exist upon the
upper surface. It will be observed that the outline within which
almost all the small figures are drawn denotes a seal, a median line
extending from the eye backward almost to the tail. Above and
beneath this arc various figures of guns, animals, plants, and straight
lines, while upon the reverse, at a point nearly 2 inches from the
tail, there projects from the median line a many branched tree, imme-
diately above which and to either side are shown two reindeer as if
browsing. These reindeer present a peculiarity which has been

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

927

especially noticeable in ZnTii and Algonkian i>i(tograi)liy to represent
what is designated as the life line. This consists of a line drawn from
the month, or very near it, backward into the body, where it terminates
in a line, or more generally a triangular figure, to denote the head. It
is a sh.amanistic figure, < kJ indicates that the shaman who possessed
it had influence over the life of the animal so portrayed. This subject
has been more clearly described in connection with the shamanistic
ceremonies of the Ojibwa Indians in the en-
graving of the Mide'wiwin or Grand Uledicine
Society of the Ojibwa, published in the Four-
teenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Eth-
nology.

VOTIVE OFFERINGS AND MORTUARY.

Fig. 146.
VOTIVE OKKEKINd.

Fig. 14G is copied from a piece of walrus
ivory in the museum of the Alaska Commercial (Company, San Fran-
cisco, California, and was interi)reted to the present writer in San
Francisco in 1882.

The left-hand figure is a votive offering or "shaman stick," com-
monly designated a medicine stick, erected to the memory of one
departed. The "bird" carvings are considered typical of "good
spirits," and the above was erected by the reniorse-
XfjL^ stricken individual who had killed the person shown.
/ / Tlie headless body represents the man who was killed.

, In this respect the Ojibwa manner of portraying a man

J "killed" or "dead" is similar. Comparison with another

'"P* Eskimo drawing, designating a "killed whale" by the

I presence in the back of a harpoon, may be made herewith

as another concei)tion of the idea of "dead" or "killed."
^^ The right-hand figure represents the houiicide who

^n* erected the "grave post" or "shaman stick." The arm

^ is thrust downw.ar<l toward the earth, to represent the

gesture for lill. This is common, likewise, to the gesture
for the same idea as made by the Blackleet and Dakota
** Indians.

^^ In lig. 147 is reproduced an inscription from a grave

JS^^ post commemorating a liunter, as land animals are shown
to be his chief pursuit. The following is the explanation
of the characters :
No. a is the baidarka, or bosit, holding two ])ersons.
The occupants are shown, as arc also the i)addles, wliich project below
the horizontal body of the vessel.

No. h is a rack for drying skins and fish. A pole is added above it,
from which are seen floating streamers of calitio or cloth. No. e is a
i'ox. No. il is a land otter, while No. e is the hunter's summer habita-

Fig. 147.

INSCIIIPTION ON

UKAVE rOHT.

928

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUJI, 1895.

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i* ix

tiouH. These are temporary dwellings, and usually constructed at a
distance from home. This also indicates the profession of a skin hunter,
as the permanent lodges, indicated as winter houses, i. e., with round
or domelike roof, are located near the seashore, and summer houses
are only needed when at some distance from home, where a considera-
ble length of time is spent in hunting.
The accompanying illustration, fig. 148, is of a similar nature, and is
, erected to the memory of a fisherman.

X^ At a is represented the baidarka, containing the owner

'' and a companion, probably denoting the friend of him to

" whose memory the tablet was erected. No. b denotes

the bow used in shooting seal and other small marine
animals.

No. c is a seal, the chief object of pursuit of the deceased,
while d indicates a whale, an animal also hunted by him.
In the illustration in fig. 149 is a drawing of a village
and burial ground, drawn by a native in imitation of the
original seen by him among the natives of the southern
mainland — the Aigaluxamut. Carvings are generally on
walrus ivory, and often on wooden slats. In No. 7 is a
representation of the grave post, in position, bearing an
inscription similar in general character to those in the last two pre-
ceding figures.
The interpretation of the characters is as follows :
Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent various styles of habitations composing
the village. No. 5 is an elevated structure used for storing food. No.
C is a box with wrappings, containing the corjise of a child. Scaffold
burial is frequent among some of the natives. The small lines, with ball
attached, are ornamental appendages, consisting of 8trii)s of cloth or
skin, with charms, or sometimes tassels. No. 7 is the grave post, bear-
ing rude illustrations of the weapons and utensils used by the deceased

Fig. 148.

INSCRIPTION FItOM
UKAVE POST.

Fig. 149.

VIIXAOE AND Bl'KIAI. GROUNDS.

during life. No. 8 is a grave scaffold, containing the body of an adult.
Besides the ornamental appendages, as in No. G preceding, there is a
" shaman stick " erected over the box containing the corpse, as a mark
of good wishes.

CONVENTIONALIZINQ.

Some examples of decoration are presented herewith, in which there
often appears to be solely an attempt at ornamenting the otherwise
plain surface of ivory. In others there are evidences of an advance
in the graphic representation of objects, in thit the originals are no

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

929

•onger accurately or entirely portrayed, as through an apparent i>ro-
cess of synecdoche conventions are attained, whicli are thus emidoyed
for ornamentation, while the original import of the objects themselves
seems to have been lost sight of, in so far as their use for historic
records are intended. Some miscellaneous examples will suffice to
illustrate these remarks.'

Plato 40, Figs. 5, G, and 7 are interesting examples of conventional-
izing, and indicate a long stride toward the employment of certain forms
for decorative purposes or for the ornamentation of spaces upon ivory
rods or bows that might not otherwise be apt to be filled with records
of exploits or ceremonials.

The row of thirteen figures in i)late 40, fig. o, are the rear portions of
whales, the attitude sometimes taken by them in plunging, when the
tail emerges from the water to an unusual distance.

The row of fourteen T-shaped characters, fig. 6, are conventionalized
forms to denote the whale, the tail only being drawn to indicate the
entire animal. Similar figures are frequently tattooed upon the body
to denote a successful whaler. Instances are referred to under the cap-
tion Tattooing, p. 781 . In the row marked fig. 7 are shown fifteen swim-
ming seals, the arrangement being decorative, though, in accordance

Fig. 150.

FIQCRRS OF BWIMMINa SBALS.

with a common custom, they may also have been intended to denote
many seals captured, an indefinite number of objects often signifying
many, and more than the actual number indicated, whicli may be lim-
ited for want of room.

Other instances of conventional characters of well-known objects are
presented elsewhere.

The regularity with which the seals are portrayed in fig. 150 is
another illustration of recording the successful hunt for these animals,
as well as an attempt at utilizing these figures for decorative purposes.

Other illustrations are given herewith, in which certain animal forms
ho' become so conventionalized as to be almost unrecognizable, and
111 tl; shape these forms are used secondarily, and i)erhaps even pri-
iMai !.'> , :)s decorations, the designs being artistic, as well as of historic
i tl terete 1.

'Since th laper w.as prepared for publication tbore has been issued by Mr.
Uiiiliuar Sti). of Stockholm, an elegant folio publication on ornamentation,
oi.'titlcil ' Stii>' tl i Amerikausk Ornamentik K Bidrag til ornanientens biologi,"
l)\\.\'i'j, i!i.'i,r''s M". ilates XX.

Eslv'tiio workiii '>ip bearing decorations occur on iigares on pages 10-21. A
I'liitt pu^ti<i1(''> ^X ) '< twing both sides, bears a painted face on one surface and a
foint nti'""i'''^''<^ fii.ii upon the reverse. This specimen is from Port Clarence, and
)rin!> tlio f^Hot of its l.(:in); in color and on wood, is of interest.

'I'attuoiujj^. riliowinir vavi us conventionalized forms, (»ccur in figure 47 ["Central
Es'inic,"! au «' fi.iriiiD 48 [" ffim St. Lawrence Island"].

- lij

930

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

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Fig. 151.

HABITATION.

Plate 22, flg. 4, represents a drill bow from Point Barrow. There are
two horizontal median lines, three-sixteenths of an inch apart, extend-
ing from end to end, from which extend toward the onter sides short,
straight incisions, opposite to each of which are the conventional whale
tjiils. This appears to be strictly decorative, the original import as a
hunting record having apparently been lost sight of in the attempt at
ornamentation.

Plate 22, flg. 3, represents another si)ecimen of like character from
the same locality as the preceding. It measures 10 inches in length

along the dorsum. Apart from the two perfora-
tions whi<;h e.xist at either end of tlie bow, there
are larger holes made for the insertion of turquoise
or blue glass beads. On the under surface are
represented skins of a number of animals. The
ten narrow hides at the left are otter skins. The
succeeding five oblong ligures with interior cross hatchings are proba-
bly bear hides. The remaining figures to the right, ten in number,
represent the skins of the deer. A very decided attempt is shown in
this illustration at ornamental decoration as well as i)reserving a hunt-
ing record, as the figures are intended to be represented as nearly alike
as possible, the skin of each si>ecies of animal being almost exactly
like others of its species.

One of the drill bows bears a series of illustrations of habitations,
various forms being indicated, so as to readily connect the extremes.
The normal form is shown in fig. 151, while the more conventionalized
outline, which would, if calone, be difticult of specific identification, is
shown in fig. 152.

Plate 40, fig. 7, represents a scries of seals, the object of which is
rather in the order of a decoration than as a hunting record. The
(!arving is deep, and (iharacteristic of the work of the natives from
whom it was obtained at Cape Nome. A like. form
of representing seals is shown elsewhere.

The various panels in plate (50, fig. 2, contain seals
at either end, as Nos. 1 and 11, while the bars of ver-
tical lines separate the intervening ])(>rtion of the
ivory rod into other panels, containing single figures
of trees, in regular order and rather ccmventional, and in this 'iite
resulting, in reality, in merely a subject of no history, Imt of <lef ^ iti\e
or ornamental import.

At No. 11 a new record was begun; a man is seated, and i- a|>i)iu-
ently preparing souie article of diet.

Plate 03, fig 4, represents a drill bow from Kotzebue Ron- ', j>iie
specimen measures 18^ inches in length, and is decor;ili.' iipon tlio
side shown in the illustration by two rows of seals ftjuf (list ant tVoin
one another and so arranged as to represent a methrxl of orncmentii
tion rather than a historical record. The great nutnbcr of Sfjals raav

Fig. 152.

HAniTATION

There are
irt, exteiid-
iides short,
ional whale
import as a
) atteini)t at

xacter from
»8 in lengtli
wo perfora-
i bow, there
of turquoise

surface are
liinals. The

skins. The
js are i)roba-
i in number,

is shown in
•ving a liunt-
\ nearly alike
naost exactly

' habitations,
he extremes,
i^entionalized
ntitication, is

of which is
record. The
natives from

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

931

Fig. 152.

HAIIITATION

in thi? 'i»tc*
of der iti\e

and i- appar-

tSitn"'!.

J'^ie

iir- apoTi tlio

idiytanl from

)f ornr,iiieiit.i

of s«*;»l8 ma\

indicate, as in other records, that tlie hunter was a very successful seal
hunter. Upon tlie opposite or convex side is a similar portrayal of
animal forms, though in tliis instance only one continuous row of
spouting whales occupies the base line, while along the upper line but
four of these animals have been drawn, the remaining eight spaces
being blank. One edge of this bow is very crudely but deeply incised
with strange looking figures representing human beings with alligator
heads, armed with mandibles similar to those of huge birds. Several
mammalian forms are also represented, one or two being of mythic
im))ort. Sc^veial kaiaks are also shown, the occupants being engaged
in walrus and seal hunting.

riate 21, tig. 1, is the back of the bow drill represented in plate 3,
tig. 1. Considerable interest is attached to this specimen from the fact
of the i)ronounce<l median lines extending from end to end, the various
objects between these and the outer margin being so arranged as to
form a very symmetrical and decorative figure. This approaches very
nearly one variety of decoration practiced by the Papuans, and referred
to by Mr. Alfred C lIa<ldon.'

The specimen is inverted and the interpretation begins at the tirst
figure at the right, which represents a man in a kaiak following four
seals. The two figures extending above and below the median line are
bear skins. The two elongated figures at the narrow portion of tlie
bow are otter skins. These are succeeded at the next widening of
the bow by the representation of another bear skin, and so on alter-
nately to the extreme right, in addition to the last otter skins there
being still two added because of the narrowness of that portion of
the bow. The space beyond the perforation in the bow at the extreme
right is ornamented also.

Plate 24, figs. 5 and G, represents two ivory bodkins, both from Norton
Sound, Avhere they were obtained from Mr. E. W. Xelsou. They are each
about Wh inches in length. Tlie specimen shown in fig. 5 is sharjdy
l>ointed at either end and has three decorated sides. On the plate the
illustration is inverted so that the triangles with projecting lines which
represent summer habitations are misleading. In this instance tlie
figure of the summer habitation has been adopted as a means of deco-
ration only and has no special imi)ort. Upon the next side, the edge
of which is partly visible, are the figures of eight walruses, also jWaced
u[>on the utensil simply as a means of decoration. Upon each of the
three sides appears a deeply creased base line, and at intervals of
about one inch are oblique lines one-eighth of an inch in length placed
almost together, closely resembling one of the forms utilized to denote
or indicate the " Finback " whale. The signification of these charac-
ters, however, (;an not be determined. They are believed to represent
decorative marks only.

Plate 24, fig. (5, represents a bodkin, only one end of which is sharp-

Evolution iu Art, before quoted.

^TT

932

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

S I

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eiied, the other end terminating in a seal head. The four sides of the
specimen are decorated, the first, shown in the illustration, bearing six
figures composed of the rear halves of whales joined together so as to
present flukes symmetrically at either end. On the second side are out-
lines of seven triangular summer habitations, on the right-hand slope
of which are two projecting lines, similar almost to the lines in the pre-
ceding figure representing summer habitations. On the third side are
engraved figures of seven wolves, wliile upon the fourth side is a single
horizontal line with other obliijue lines extending therefrom at inter-
vals of about an inch, similar to tlie groups of threes in the i)receding
figure.

Plate 21, fig. 5, represents a drill bow from Kotzebue Sound, measur-
ing 17^ inches in length. It is made of yellowish and old looking
ivory, the dorsum being round while the under surface has two divided
faces. The animals represented ui)on these are wolves, and are' evi-
dently arranged in such manner as to present a pictorial result rather
than a liunting record. It is possible that the hunter may have been a
wolf hunter and intended in this manner to illustrate his great success,
as a great number frequently indicates an indefinite number — that is, a
larger number gathered during a lifetime than could conveniently be

^^ "^ ^ ^ * ^ ^ V ^^

Fio. 153.

COKVENTIONAL BEARSKINS.

portrayed on so small a surface. A similar idea obtains in gesture
language, in which tlie native will pass his hands upward and outward
as if outlining a heap uf some soft material, this gesture signifying
large or many; an indefinite number signifying a great many, in con-
tradistinction to a limited number which would be indicated by ges-
tures of an entirely different form.

The specimen shown in plate 37, fig. 6, is part of a drill bow which
is nearly 25 inches in length. Upon one surface the utensil is deco-
rated with figures of seventeen reindeer and nine bear skins, rather
decorative than as a hunting record, while upon that side visible in the
illustration thirty-seven skins of the seal are drawn, the interior of
these objects being decorated with short lines extending from the outer
line inward tov^ard the middle of the body, while the median line
extending through the middle of the hide is similarly etched toward
the outer side, leaving the two white spaces as a series of zigzags.

Plate 59, fig. 1, represents a drill bow from Nubriakh, collected by
Mr. E. W. Nelson. The characters represent bearskins, and are placed
almost at equal distances from one another across the entire length of
the specimen, to represent ornamentation rather than a record of
exploits.

sides of the
, bearing six
blier so as to
side are out-
;-haiul slope
s in the pre-
jird side are
e is a siugle
uiii at inter-
le preceding

ind, ineasur-
old looking
two divided
tnd are" evi-
esult rather
bave been a
eat success,
' — that is, a
'^eniently be

in gesture
nd outward

signifying
my, in con-
;ed by ges-

bow which
sil is deco-
Lins, rather
sible in the
interior of
n the outer
ledian line
led toward
gzags.
dlected by
are placed
8 length of
record of

Report of U S National MuMum, 189S.— Hotfmtn.

Plate 77.

Various Forms of Concentric Circles.

Fnim Eskimo s|)»?c'iiiieus.

EXPLANATION OF PLATt 77.

I'i^f. I. Simplti niicloiitfti i-irclc, fcmul t«x»«M'(liii>;l,v toiiunttn on ivory iiteiiHilH iinil

ornaiiicntH.
rif^H. 1', It, I, 7, mill 10. Ki'iuisciit varioiiM fornis of coiicontrii' <ii<li'M, usual as orna-

iiifiital or (l«coiativ«>. Soiu»! of tlifst' aii> drawn to il««iiot<> nests of Kanta;;,!

or bnckcts.
I''i^. 5. Not common, lint I'vidcntly niatlo with an^i-r l»if.
I''i<i;s. (I, H. VJ, and lit. 'I'lirsc occnr on various animal rl)i<;ios, and arc mhkIo to drnoti^

till! «'.V08.

Fi;.;. !>. 'riiis is a variant, and occnrs on a Tlilinkt*t s|UM-ini*'n. apparently in inutation

ot' I'.skinio patterns.
Ki<;. 11. (?ran1)i;rry stalU and Ido.ssom.
Figs. 11 )ind l.">. X'ariantH ol" (lower oftlu) cranborry.

!>'i

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

933

The nine crude outlines shown in fig. 1.j3 represent that number of
bears killed during the lifetinu' of the owner of the record.

The skins are here suspended from upright poles or posts, and the
arrangement of figures has, in other instances, suggested patterns for
decorative purposes, as will be observe<l elsewhere in connection with
the subject pertaining thereto.

Figs. 7 and 8 of plate oO are spear guards usually attached to the
upi^er surface of rhe canoe so as to form a secure guard upon which
the spear is placed. Both of these guards are decorated witli concentric
rings, both different. TTpon the outer liiie in lig. 7 we perceive diverg-
ing short lines terminating in the conventional V-shape or tree figure,
while in the other, fig. 8, will be perceived the plain line, which may
l)erhaps refer to the flower symbol noted in fig. i of plate 50, and
described elsewhere in Mr. Turners communication. See .also plate 75
bearing various forms of native patterns of cin^les.

Plate 38 represents four ivory bag haiuUes, of which fig. 1 is from
Norton Sound. It bears upon the upper side four sets of concentric
cin Ics, equidistant from one another, and connected by a median line,
above and below which are a pair of radiating diagonal lines appar-
ently denoting the conventional symbol of whale fins. This specimen
is similarly marked upon the bottom side and convex edge. With ref-
erence to this ornamentation, it is one step beyond that represented in
plate 29, fig. 2, which was obtained at St. Michaels, and upon one side
of which are shown five sets of concentric circles similarly connected
by median lines, but witliout the lateral radiating lines above noticed.

On plate .'38, fig. 3, is shown another bag haiulle upon which appear
seven sets of concentric circles, which, however, are smaller than those
shown on the two preceding specimens, plate 38, figs. 1, 2. The design
shown in fig. 3 appeal's to be the primary mode of decoration, as iu
this there are no connecting lines.

Plate 48 represents a variety of ear pendants from several localities
on the west coast of Alaska. The chief feature of these si)ecimens
consists in the variety of ornamentation. Simple dots made by drill-
ing, concentric rings, nucleated circles, and in one specimen — fig. 8 — a
scries of serraticms attached to two of the circles, compris«' the chief
features of ornamentation. Fig. 9, however, represents a powder
charger consisting of a bell-shaped implement, h<>llow beneath, with
Just sullicient cavity to contain one charge of powder. The nucleated
circles upon this specimen are .among the smallest thus far found in
tiie colle(!tions of the National Museum. The arrangement of the cir-
cles, also, is artistic and geometri(!al. Those attached to lines extend-
ing from the ring, and apparently suspended therefrom, are, witliout
doubt, flower symbols, as midway between the circle and the upper
ring .are short lines denoting leaves. This is probably the blossom or
fruit of the cranherry — VacHnium Mtis-idaa.

Around the lower border of the utensil is a delicately incised line,

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934

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

small nucleated circles alternatinf>: with vertical lines terminating
above in a similar small nucleated circle, from which diverge two short
lines, which in turn end in similar rings. The entire outline of the
character is that of the simpler form of the tree symbol, though it is
believed to denote the fruit of the arctic plant known as the Vaccinium.
Tills belief is strengthened by the occurrence of similar characters
known to denote this plant, and from which a native carrying a bucket
or kantag is shown as in the a<'t of plucking fruit. Compare fig. 70, p. 863.

Above these cluiracters are a series of larger nu(;leated rings, each
with three radiating lines, which are without doubt intended to icpre-
sent the flowers of this same i»lant. That the circle with such exter-
nal ornamental appendages is intended to represent flowers has been
explained in Mr. Turner's communication above noted.

The circles portrayed upon this specimen are the most delicate found
upon any of the specimens in the National Museum. They are appar-
ently the work of an expert workman, and made with comparatively
deli«'ate instruments.

The arrangement of nucleated rings in the form of a triangle and
connected by short lines, as in the fruit or plant character above noted,
ai)pears ui>on some Thlinkit bone ornaments shown in plate 9, lig. 3.
The transmission of the character, or its suggestion, api)ears to have
come from the Innuit, the southern tribes being known to make this
pattern, and the intertribal relations with their eastern and southern
neighbors is constant. Being a shaman's ornament among the Thlinkit
would Tjiiggest the idea that the original signification of the character
was unknown to them.

Plate OS, lig. 0, represents a very beautiful rod of ivory from Kotzebue
Soun»l. It is perforated at one end like a bag handle, but sharpened
at the other in imitation of a bodkin. Three sides are decorated. The
peculiarity of the ornamentation is the insertion in the blank spaces of
nucleated rings, their association with these hunting expeditions being
very mu<'ii in imitation of the characters upon tiie ])etrog]yph8 at
BohuslJin, in Sweden, and shown in plates 75, 70, and others of like
character, showing simi>l(^ nu«'lei or pits, as well as nu(;leated circles
attached to lines to represent human beings, exactly like some found
in the Shoshonean area of srathern Nevada and in the JVloki country.
The illustration in plate "^^ epresents at the extreme left four vertical
lines, with the zigzag ami toothed pattern found upon other objects,
which has been designated as the fish trap or seal tooth ])attern. The
next figure, a crescent, and is a symbolical whale tail. The two bars
leaning toward one another, beiween the whale tail and the walrus,
are the rude outlines of the sides of a habitation, the delicate indication
of the o(!cupants within being shown. The remaining figures, as will
be observed, consist of a kaiak and severnl whales and wab'uses. The
groups upon the other sides of this rod are very much in imitation of
the preceding.

Report of U. S. National Museum, 1 895.— Hoffman.

Plate 75.

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°STROGLYPHS AT BOHUSLAN, SWEDEN.

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Plate 76.

Petroglyphs at Bohuslan, Sweden.

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Plate 78.

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GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

935

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Other interesting and .similar illuHtrations of nucleated rin/^s, in con-
nection with lines to denote liunian beings, are given by Hans Hihle-
brand,' as also con(;entric circles and simple nnclei in the same work,
page 381. These illustrations are of petnjglyphs, an<l it is evident that
in the first named instance the nucleated ring is the head of an oarsman,
or perhai)s one in authority, as most of the designations for the rowers
are alike in length and form, whereas the nucleated Hgures are always
nearer one end of the vessel.

Plate ;U, tig. .'{, bears upon one si<le a median incision, ui)on the ui>per
sides of which are represented a series of conventionalized trees. Upon
the reverse are similar tree patterns, but drawn at oblii[ue angles, all
leaning toward the left.

In the figure of a ship's anchor chain the links are indicated by draw-
ing the chain zigzag. This is found lo <)(!cur in oidy one instance, as
shown on plate 40, lig. 2.

Other interesting examples of conventionalizing are shown in the
distinction between the i)ortrayal of an ice tloe, being a simi)le curved
line as in No. 5 of fig. 112, to denote transparency of substance, while
the walrus upon it is incised and the surface blackened.

A similar view of walrus upon rocks is shown in tig. 3 on plate 70,
the rocks being outlined somewhat after the order of a tloe, though, to
show the s<>lid and creased sides of the dark material, the pictograph
is incised with the zigzag-like i)attern, fre(iuently illustrated in orna*
mental borders as the fish-trap pattern.

Plato 88, fig. 4, shows a bag handle from Point Hope. The outer
edges are scalloped, a small circular excision appearing at the i)oints
where these scallops should terniiiuite, each of these excisions being
furthermore ornamented by a circular line which surrounds it and from
which radiate shorter lines at right angles like the rays of the sun.
In the middle of the handle, extending from end to end, is a high,
rounded ridge, at each side of which is a median line; on tlie sides
facing the circular excisions are two short lines directed outward, while
midway between these points are two shorter lines directed inward
toward one another.

Plate 78 represents part of a page from a whaleman's log book, being
a.journal of the bark Fcri, Captain E. Kussell, who sailed Friday, June
20, 1854, from New Bedford, Mass., for the Indian Ocean, on a si)erm-
whaling voyage, and returned May 20, 1857. As will be observed by
reference to the illustrations, the note under date of Tuesday, Decem-
ber 11, 1855, is as follows:

Commences with fresh breezes from NW. Squally «& Rainy heading SW. Middle
part heavy Rain. Latter part 7 A. M Saw a school of Sperm Whales. Lowered all
three boats. Struck and saved 7 Whales, ;?ot them alongside at 1 P M and coni-
iiieuced cutting Latt 4" 21 N Long. GO" W

Near the left margin is a vertical column of six whales. At the

> "De Liigre Naturfolkeus Kcmst," Stockholm, 1884, pp. 379, 380.

Til-

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936

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

extreme loft Ih an iu8<rription, ''16th time of seeing tliem," denoting
tliat it was the sixteenth time that whales liad been sighted. Tlie
letters at tlie tail end of the whales, W B, IS B, and L B, denote waist
boat, starboanl boat, and larboard boat, two whales being captured by
the first antl second, wliile three were taken by the last inuncd. At
tlie right of tlie whales are the numbers of barrels of oil furnished by
each, as well as the total, amounting to 140. The method of stain|)ing
tliese outlines is by means of small wooden blocks, which are dipped in
ink or otiier coloring matter, for the reason that the picture of the
whale is so readily i»erceived, obviating the necessity ot searching over
each page to find any special reference thereto in the manuscript text.

On plate 7!) is represented another part of the same log book, and
under date of iMonday, July 21, 185«», are two references, the llrst, "20
time of se(?ing," and another »yOth time," referring to the characters
of whale's flakes or tails standiiig upright, and denoting in this con-
nection that the whales were sighted but not captured.

On i)hite 8(» are represented five specimens of Eskimo carvings which
are of interest in this connection.

In fig. I is shown a very short kantag, or perhaps bag handle, from
Sledge Island, the original measuring but about 2^ inches in length,
while the perforations along the to^) ridge separate the pieces of ivory
into a series of connected flukes. These are better illustrated on fig.
3, a specimen from Gape Darby, in which the whale tails are almost
separated from one another, slightly bent to one side, and very natural
in general outline.

In fig. V is shown another neat specimen from Sledge Island, while in
fig. 2 we liave one made of a piece of hollow ivory or bone, in which
both ridftcs are rudely perforated so as to simulate whale tails, as in
the preceding illustrations. These four specimens are of interest, from
tlie fact that the flukes are utilized in the decoration or ornamentation
of utensils, and probably at the same time denoting that the owner
was a whale hunter or had been successful in catching whales. The
most interesting specimen in the series, however, is that given in fig. 5,
which represents a kantag handle from Point Hope. This specimen,
in addition to having the carving of a whale fluke at the upper edge,
has neatly engraved upon one side four flukes, flanked on either side
by a bowhead whale facing inward. The six figures are arranged
artistically and symmetrically, and are almost exactly of the same
class of ornamentation as in plate 80.

The question would naturally arise whether the Eskimo had copied
such methods of portrayal from the whalers, or the whalers from the
Eskimo, or whether the art evolved independently among both.

In consultation with Captain E. P. Herendeen, now of Wa-diington,
District of Columbia, a gentleman who has spent many years in the
Arctic regions, 1 am informed by him that he made his first whaling
voyage toward Point Barrow in the year 1854. At that time he found

Report of b, S. National Muieum, 1895, -Hoffman.

Plate 79.

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WHALER'S Record of Sighting Whales.

113

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EXPLANATION OF PLATE 80.

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Krt.VTA., Maxim.k.

filt. Ko. 4J4,M, U. s. \ \| MM-, ,
KaNTAG Ham„,k. ■ '"■'""■'^- '■""•••"-' '■: K. W.XeU.,,,..

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Kaxta,; llANorK. ' ' """ ' '"''^ '■"'••••"" 'a K. U'. NHs..,,.

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K.VNTA.i llAXJ.l.K. ■ ■' ■"'^" '"'■■""• t''<-il--t. y K.U-.. V ,.,«„„,,

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Report of U S National Museum, 1895 —Hoffman.

Plate 80.

!■•£■

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

937

1 T

Fig. 154.
WHALE F..UKE.S, (ACE NOME.

in possession of the natives of Point Barrow innumerable specimens
of ivory upon which were engraved similar outlines of flukes and
whales, both of which had reference to whaling expeditions. Captain
Herendeen believes also that the Innuit practiced this method of
indicating a whale, by simply portraying its tail, prior to the voyages
to tliat part of the Arctic ocean of the whalers. This is a question
that can not now be satisfactorily determined when we come to remem-
ber the early arrival in that part of the Arctic regions of the Russians
and people of other nationalties, all of whom came for purposes of
exploration and i>robably traffic. The practice of i)ortrayiiig but part
of an animal for the whole, knowii as synecdoche, is very common
among some of our native Indian tribes, and it seems to have resulted
chiefly, perhaps, as labor saving, and also perhaps because many of
the natives may have had occasion to portray certain animals by only
the most conspicuous parts to represent the whole, as the observer
would readily understand the intention of the artist. Such a process
of pictography is particularly prevalent among the Dakota and other
of the Plains Indians, especially in connec-
tion with the indication of proper names, in
which the human head is drawn with a
short line, issuing from the mouth and run-
ning upward from the head, connecting
thereby the object or animal which suggests
the name of the person; and in which the line denotes speech, in imi-
tation of the co'umon gesture sign made by passing tiie finger forward
from the mouth, denoting "That is it," instead of simply passing the
finger forward to denote speech generically; the latter would be indi-
cated in pictograi)hs only by a short straight line, extending forward
and perhaps slightly curved, but not attached to any object.

In comparison with the preceding remarks concerning the conventional
fluke, the accompanying designs on fig. 154 are reproduced from a
specimen from Cape Nome. The forms are <liverse, yet both are accu-
rate in suggesting the original which furnished the concept.

Such T shaped figures, denoting flukes, are tattooed upon the body
to signify tliat the person so decorated is a successful whaler. Reference
to several localities where the natives practice this method of personal
adornment, to indicate also individual achievement, will be found under
the caption of Tattooing, p. 781.

Plate 14, fig. .'}, represents a kantag or bucket handle from Norton
Soun«l. Upon this specimen is engraved a wolf, to the right of wliich
are two gia/ing reindeer, while the fourth and fifth characters repre-
sent hides or ^ikins of bear placed in an upright position so as to
almost resemble tie tree symbol. To the right of this is a hal>itation
witli smoke rising from the smoke hole, and a native a[>proaching the
entrance. Along the uj>per margin of this specimen are two seals at
the left, and a whale's fluke, indicating that a whale wa.-* seen by the

938

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

'.'t

iiatives in the "boat to the right. This portrayal of the whale's fluke,
althou;;h utilized a^ a simple ornament or decorative design in many
instances, is here portrayed in Imitation of the system adopted by the
New England whalers, as represented in plate 80.

riate 08, fig. 1, is a drill bow from Cape Nome, 15^ inches in length
and § of an inch square. Upon the side shown in the illustration are
a series of semicircles, with tooth like attachments on the upper sur-
face, the interior being filled in with vertical Hues, lietween each of
those semicircles is a cross-liki? figure denoting a bird. The semicircles
themselves are conventional characters to represent whales.

At the extreme right is the outline of a reindeer facing toward a
native, who has his arms in tlie attitude as if holding a bow, part of
the character being obliterated. Upon the opposite side of this bow
are a number of curious looking objects somewhat resembling the gen-
eral outline of a whale with a peculiar mandible like attachment extend-
ing upward and forward from the head, while to the back are attached
sh(>rt, inclined lines almost resembling harpoons. Tho fact tliat these
short lines are placed in position by pairs indicates that they denote
legs, the mandible being in reality the mouth of the mythic creature
which it represents lying upon its back with tlie feet uppermost. At
the extreme right of this record are three small creatures of the same
species, though not as carefully represented as the prec^eding ones.

Upon the top of the bow the left and middle portion is occupied by
reindeer, and a habitation, near to which is a meat rack and human
figures with arms outstretched. At the right of the record is a very
delicately engravtnl picture of a village with six habitations.

The bottom of the bow is ornamented by a continuous line of nucle-
ated rings of several sizes, the central perforations in nearly every
instance being v.n usually deep, while the rings themselves surround-
ing the perforations are generally deeper on one side as if the instru-
ment with which they were made had not been held directly at right
angles with the surface operated upon.

COMPARISON.

Plate 81 represents a " History of a Year of the Chukch." [t is repro-
duced from a lithographic print by l>octor Carlos Bovallius, and is in
imitation of the original, drawn on walrus skin, and it is alleged to
have been the work of some Chukche natives. It is not known whether
Doctor Bovallius has published a history in detail of this pictographic
recoid, but attention was called to the record by Doctor Walter Hough
of the National Museum, who received the above information, in turn,
from Doctor Bovallius, to the effect that the record refers to the avoca-
tions and hunts of one entire year.

The preceding paragraph was written one year ago and the interpre-
tation given at that time-, and in connection therewith, was based upon
the application of Eskimo pictographs of known signification, and
upon information possessed relative to such interpretation in general.

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'• History of a Yeah of the (

Plate 81.

I8T0RY OF A YEAR OF THE ChUKCH."

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GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

939

ITaving within the past few days had opportunity, and occasion, to
further examine the literature bearing upon the Swetlisli J'olar Expe-
ditions, I learn that this plate forms one of the illustrations given by
Mr. Hans Hildebrand in his monograph on primitive art, and forming
a chapter in one of liaron NiU'deiiskiold's works.' In speaking of the
generally intelligible state of the pictographic characters, he remarks
as follows:

*' Ich will es allerdings nioht auf mich nehmen, von alien diesen Bil-
dern eine befriedigende Erkliirung zu geben, die llauptziige sind.jedoch
so (leutlich, das sie nicht misverstanden werden K(>nnen. 2s'ahe den
Contouren der Haut laufen auf beinahe alien seiten breite Linien,
welche an mehreren Stellon zu breiteu Flecken aufschuellen. Diese
Linien stellenden Strand dar, die Flecken sind zuweileii Ilohen,zuweilen
Zelte, die letzen theils an den regelmJissigen Konischen Fornion, tlieils
an den Tiber die Zeltspitze hinausgehendeu Enden der das Cierippe des
Zeltes bildenden Stangen erkennbar — diese Kleinen hervorstel i nden
Enden tinden sich auch auf den moderneu Abbildungeu der Ichukt-
8chen-D(hfer.''

The following interpretation is given as viewed from the Eskimo
standpoint, as the entire collection of figures of animals, whales, ships,
human beings, and every other character is typically Eskimo, and the
system of recording, as well as the type of characters themselves, was
undoubtedly obtained from the Eskinjo by copying other like records
of ivory obtained from the natives of the American coast, or possibly
from the Ynit, who are near neighbors of the Chukchc, a:i<l who are,
furthermore, the Asiatic representatives of the Eskimo. Neither is it
known that the Chukche were at all proficient, originally, in recording
pic*:orially their records, literature being generally silent on that sub-
ject, and nothing appears in the collections of the National Museum
that bears any relation to ornamentation of any character whatever
and marked as. of Chukche origin.

Believing therefore that the record under discussion is Eskimo, the
interpretation is given from the standpoint of our knowledgt of Indian
characters. The presence of the two disks, Xos. 1 and 2, denote the
sun, No. 1 being in Indian pictography a black sun, or night, while No.
2 represents the summer sun as it usually appears a little above the
northern horizon. These two scenes therefore would confirm the state-
II (^n^, ven by Doctor Bovallius as covering the period of one year.
A nib the outer margin of this record, and marked ]>y indentations
and irregularities, appears the shore line, upon the outer margin of
which toward the border of the record are various scenes depicted as
occurring upon a solid surface, while within the line generally are
various? scenes, as whale hunting, etc. The outlines of habitations are
also scattered at intervals, as in Nos. 3 and 4, apparently in the midst

'Stndier oi*li FDrskniugar fthanlcdtla af niiiia resor i hi\}j;a, nord«'n. Stockholm,
1881. ris, and ill. This work wa» re])riiited in Leipzig, 1885, iindor tho title of
"Studieii uud Forschunjjeii veranlasst durcli ineine reiscn iin liohon Nurden."

940

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Mm <:

of the wjitiU', but tliis roHultn, no doubt, from tlie fact that Isirjjo bhiiik
81)ae<'st liad been left after tlie u<|uatie Hcenes were coiiiph'tiMl, and the
habitations were tlien jdaced upon tlie most avaihible space. In No. 3
will be observed a vertical jude Mith c«»rds stretched out to various
sides of the i)ole, while beneath an^ represented four human boinji's.
The imi)ort of this is not clear, but in flfj;. 4 we have the outline of an
underfjjround habitation very similar to many of those represented on
the ivory rods. Over the entrante is placi'd a votive oH'eiing, shown
by a vertical line with a short cross line attached to the toj), beneath
which is a human being with arms extended from the head as if reach-
ing to sometliing above him. Upon the dome-s'iaped ])ortion of the
habitation are three human beings, one crawling by the side, while
two are engaged in peeping down through the smoke holi! to see what
is going on within. On the inside are three natives, one on tlie floor,
while tlu' second is seated on the bench or projecting boards jdaced
around tlie interior, which also serve as beds, while the third appears
to be hanging by his feet from a horizontal bar. Whether this is sim-
ply an acrobatic feat or not, we have no means of determining. At No.
5 is another object in the shai)e of a parallelogram within which two
human-like objects are seated, facing in opposite directions. These
characters are very similar to the Shoshonian pictographs as found
among the cliff remains of northwestern Arizona. The hands of one
of these characters are elevated, with the fingers outspread, as if
making gestures, while the other has his hands jdaced toward the
ground, with fingers spread. It is probable that this represents some
shamanistic idea.

Among the various representations of umiaks are some very interest-
ing ones, those in Nos. G, 7, atid 8 being particularly well drawn. At
No. 9 is one which very much resembles the petroglyphs, or the petro-
graphic representation of boats as found in Sweden, of which an illus-
tration is given in jdate 70. A fine illustration of harpooning is shown
in No. 10, the floats being attached to the line, while the animal is
shown as attemi»ting to escape, at the same time blowing water above
his head. A similar ex])loit is shown in No. 11, the harpoon having
been cast and the whale followed by the umiak represented in No. 12.
In No. 1.'? is shown an umiak, from which a harpoon is being thrown at
a seal, while the native in the stern is elevating his paddle in imitation
of the signal to denote concentration. This is a notice to the accom-
I)anying kaiaks that the harpoon has been cast and that the assisting
hunters are to surround the animal struck.

In No. 14 we have the interesting illustration of a whale being
harpooned, the float appearing behind, while a second harpoon has
been thrown into him, the line of which is still attached to an umiak,
which in tarn is connected by a continuous line to a pocond umiak,
both boat loads of hunters in this wise keeping up with their foray.
In No. 15 a whale is likewise shown with two harpoons and floating
lines attached.

iterest-
At
petro-
iilas-
showii
inal is
above
laving
^0. 12.
own at
itation
acconi-
sisting

being
on luis
uuiisik,
nmial;,

foray,
ioating

OKAPIIIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

041

Tpon tlio opposite side of tlie illustration la seen » pregnant wbale
(llg. 1<»), tlu' body of tlui larger animal being lifted ])artly, while within
is portrayed a snuiller whale with tho head dire«'ted toward the head
of its parent. A little to the left of this are some well drawn illnstra-
tions of sledges, to whi<!h three dogs are hit<'hed, No. 17, while around to
the left are the outlines of several natives holding their arras aloft as if
experieiieing surprise or Joy at souu'thing in which they are interested.
At No. l^ is shown an indentation repiesenting a little inlet in which
a whaler is shown anchored. Near the vessel are natives in various
attitudes, as if engaged in conversation <»r bartei', while above, in No,
1!>, are four small triangular bodies projecting t(»ward the water, which
denote habitations, very much in form like the ordinary liulian tent.

At No. 2() is the ontline of a large bear being attaiked by two
natives, the one in front pn'tending to strike him with, some largo
object, while the man behind him is in the attitu<le of nsing a spear,
(^uite a settlement is represented at a i)roJecting point of land, No. 21,
the lines upon which are continuous dark bodies, both round and tri-
angular, representing habitations of various kinds.

In No. 22 are represented six small scaflolds, and from llio opposite
side of this point are three others which may represent burial scaffolds,
or they may possibly be intended for food storage only. At No. 2'] is
the shore line, the short projecting lines radiating therefrom appar-
ently denoting sedges or grass, while the lines extending anuind the
village appear to denote a rise in the land corresponding to the con-
tour lines. In No. 24 is shown an individual upon a loft, with arms
outstretched, as if making signals. In No. 25 two habitations are
shown, with another scaftold denoting the end of the settlement. The
inclosure between Nos. 24 and 25, within which are vast nund)ers of
short lines, seems to denote a marsh with sedges, or reeds, or other
aquatic plants, while in No. 2(5 we have a continuous line of blackened
spots denoting the contour of a mountain range upon which we tind at
several points human beings, one with a spear, while another has his
arms outstretched as if attracting attention. Beyond this range are
indicated various animals, conspicuous amongst them being tlie deer.
This ppparently denotes a hunting ground. At No. 27 is another inlet
in which are represented tliree whalers or whaling ships, while upon
the shore we find two pairs of human beings in which one person of
each pair seems to hand forward some object to the other, who is
shown with outstretched arms as if to receive it. About the ships are
shown numbers of umiaks loaded with natives who have come to trade.
In No. 28 is another indication of a bear hunt, three natives i)artici-
pating in this attack, two armed with bows and arrows, while the third
has only a spear. In No. 29 is shown what appears to be a hostile
encounter between several natives, and actual hostility is taking place
as shown in No. 30, where two are engaged in grappling with one
another, wliile their companions stand by in various attitudes of sur-
prise or alarm.

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WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(716) 872-4503

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942

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Aloug the shore line indiciited at No. 31 are numbers of habitations
and scaflblds, as observed elsewhere, while at No. 32 are a series of
black projections which evidently denote hills, as these are also shown
at No. 20. The native shown in No. 33 appears to have shot an arrow
into some animal, while the native in front of the latter is in the atti-
tude of thrusting his spear. Absence of horns seems to indicate a doe,
or possibly a bear, although the length of the limbs would preclude the
latter idea. At No. 34, however, the figure of a bear is drawn more
carefully. In No. 35 is shown a herd of reindeer, while in No. 36 is
shown another whaling ship, beneath which are four kaiaks loaded
with individuals who have come after trade. A curious illustration is
that shown in No. 37, in which quite a string of reindeer arc attached
to sledges. The native in No. 38 is apparently driving back the ani-
mals who are heading off in that direction. In No. 39 is the outline of
a habitation with the accompanying hoii/ontal rack, from which meat
or other food is shown suspended. The character in No. 40 is, without
doubt, the outline of a net, and resembles in almost every respect sim-
ilar ones found in the pictographs made by the natives of the American
coast. In No. 41 is a horizontal line with five animal heads protruding.
These would seem to denote walruses, but from the fact of the projec-
tions above Ihe head they are probably intended ■ >r leer who have
broken through tlie ice, or maybe swimming, toward .' nj*;! the umiaks
are hastening, as shown above. No. 42 represents a number of individ-
uals with arms extended and hands directed toward the ground, whiijh
resemble very much some of the characters on the drill bow (plate 08,
fig. 3.

Since the above interpretation was dictated, I have had the oppor-
tunity to consult Captain E. P. Uerendeen, a gentleman thoroughly
famili.ar with the country and the natives of both sides of Bering
Strait. Upon submitting to him the chart for his examination as to
the geographic location referred to, the following additional informa-
tion was obtained, as well as his approval in the belief that the coast
natives [Eskimo] were more likely the authors of the record than the
" 1 )eermen " [( JhuckcheJ.

That part of the record marked No. 40 comprises the coast of the
Holy Cross (iulf; and extending backward to No. 18, which denotes
Plover Bay, are observed whales and a whaling ship, denoting a com-
mon occurrence in past years for whalers to enter one of the numerous
inlets, seek a good anchorage, and there make the required catches
instead of sailing in the open sea. Whalers are said to have been
common at almost every favorable point.

The point of land at No. 19 is East Head, and is precipitous, while a
small village is located near the entrance, of which my informant could
not give me the native name. Opposite the hull of the vessel is a long,
narrow black line, which represents a sharp spit of land actually occur-
ring at that point iu Plover Bay.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

943

stations
leries of
sliowii
,n arrow
the utti-
te a doe,
lude the
vii more
!^o. 3G is
3 loaded
ration is
att<ached
the ani-
iiitliiie of
ich meat
, without
pect sim-
Imeriean
otrudiiig.
10 inqjec-
rho have
le umiaks
tMidivid-
id. whi(;h
(plate 08,

le oppor-
oroughly
Bering
ion as to

informa-
the coast

than the

,st of the
denotes
ig a com-
lumerous
I catches
ave been

8, while a
ant could
is a long,
Uy occur-

At No. 23 is a point of land which is recognized as Indian Point.
The shore has a rocky appearance, and immediately back from the
surf line appear some contour lines, upon which arc the representation
of scaftblds, as before noted, which Captain Herendeen says are caches
of the natives, while the houses are scattered along in rows. The
irregular area between the village and the ridge of hills at No. 2G is a
marsh. The hills are also in actual existence and beyond them is a good
hunting ground, as indicated by the artist.

To the right of Indian Point, in the midst of an inlet at No. 43, is
Arakan Island, formed like a hump, with a straight line on one side to
denote the water line. The line at No. 44 covers an inhabited stretch of
land, commonly called the Michigme, and located on a bay of the same
naipe. Several habitations are visible, and a number of hamaii forms
are drawn near to them.

At the right-hand end of the Michigme settlement is an inlet show-
ing three whales, near each of which is a pair of human beings, one
person in the act of handing to tlie other sume object, the import being
trade, the purpose of the visit of the natives.

The lower or opimsite shore, marked Nos. 30, 31, 34, and 3G, Captain
Herendeen is not positive whether it may represent a (!ontinuation of
the Asiatic shore or St. Lawrence Island, the locality where the Asiatic
coast natives obtain oil and various articles with which their country
is not well stocked, returning therefor wooden vessels, poles for tents,
frames for boats, etc., which are primarily obtained from the Cliuckche,
as the latter come from the inland regions by means of sledges, as shown
at No. 17.

From the general apperranceof the drawings, the continuity of shore
lines, with the exception of a small and apparently insigniticant break
at No. 45, would indicate that the Asiatic side alone was intended
to be shown, and not the opposite American shore. The statement,
too, that the record is a "year's record" should also be taken into
consideration.

At No. 46 is an indentation probably intended to represent St. Law-
rence Bay. There is quite a herd of seals indicated, clearly denoting
the presence there in great numbers of that animal. Habitations of
variouskinds line the shore line, to indicate a settlement of natives. At
No. 47 is shown a harpooned walrus, followed by a native in a kaiak,
who has his arm raised as if about to cast a second weapon. No. 48
has already been alluded to as a marsh, the short lines being indica-
tive of the sedges growing at that locality. No. 49 is a skin tent, near
which is lying upon the ground what appears to be intended for a
sledge. The latter is in imitation of the Chuckche type, as may be
observed by comparing those at the opposite side of the chart in con-
nection with the sledges to which reindeer are hitched, near No. 39.

The general resemblance of these teams of the Chukche is, in gen-
eral, very much like those of the Samoyeds, and I can not refrain from

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944

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

introducing horeritli as plate 82' an illustration publisluMl by Mr.
Jackson in liis work on ^'Tho (ireat Fro/.en Tiitnd/' which illuntration
i8 a reproduction from a i>hotograph. The middle, covered sledge, is
one used by women, the remaining one being for goods and men.

No. 50 denotes a village, the tent poles protruding from the tops of
theledges. Along the shore are more habitations, and two umiaks filled
with hunters are shown in the water. At No. 51 are two natives
making an attack upon a bear. One of the hnnters has a spenr, while
the other is armed with bow and arrow. A third hunter, a little to the
right, has shot his arrow into the animal, and has extended his open
band outward, to indicate to the others that he has "oust a weapon,"
in imitation of the custom of whalers when they elevate the paddle,
or spread hands, to inform their companions of their action and to
recjuest concentration of boats to secure the game.

At No. 52 is a group of six men. Two are going forward with a spear,
•while the two in the middle are making gestures. The i)air at the right
are in close embrace, apparently in combat. No. 53 illustrates the
method of spearing seal through the ice, very similar to tliat shown at
No. 31. The snmll ring, however, denotes the breathing hole made by
the seal, this being absent in the latter inst.ance. Nos. 54, 55, and 56
are obscene figures, and not worthy of reproduction.

A'arious illustrations of Chuckche ;irt are given by Mr. llans Hilde
brand,^ and in every instance the products resemble the figures on
plate 10, and appear as if they had been drawn with a ])encil or
sharply- pointed brush. The general type of the portrayals are like those
of the Eskimo, clearly showing artistic relationship. In the same con-
nection are shown, also, a series of line drawings, reproductions from
drill-bows from Port Clarence, some of them being so like those in the
colletrtion of the National Museum as to lead me to bel eve that the
originals used by Mr. Ilildebrand and by me were the same, or that
they were nmde from copies or duplicates by the same Alaskan artist.

On plate are represented six piectes of decorated bone slabs
obtained from the southeastern neighbors of the Eskimo — the Thlinkit
Indians. The specimens are selected at random from a necklace bear-
ing a total of fifteeli. They were the property of a shaman and formed
part of his decorations, but whether they were believed to possess
mystic or other virtue is not known.

The interest connected with this lot consists in the decorations upon
the pieces of smooth bone. The ornamentation is typical of the
Eskimo, as may be perceived by reference to numerous illustrations
submitted herewith, and was app.arently adopted in imitation of sim
ilar designs observed in the possession of Eskimo shamans, or such as
may have been introduced through the medium of intertribal traffic.
The trade route along the northwest coast has before been referred to
as one of the most interesting culture routes of that part of the Ameri-

' London : [dato f ] plat« opp. p. G8.

»De Liifcro Naturfolkms Kon»t Storkhohn, 1884.

imI by Mr.
Ihistration

I sledge, is
men.

tbe tops of
iiiaks filled
ro natives
[>ear, while
little to the
id his open

II weapon,"
he paddle,
on and to

ith a spear,
it the right
it rates the
t shown at
le made by
55, and 5G

[ans Hilde
figures on

, ])encil or

B like those
same con-
tions from
lose in the
that the

le, or that
can artist,
tne slabs
e Thlinkit
ace bear-
nd formed
to possess

ions upon
al of the
ust rations
an of sim-
or such as
)al traffic,
eferred to
he Ameri-

)(

Report of U S. National Muieum. 1895.— Hoffman,

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Plate 82.

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OKAPHIC AUT OF THE ESKIMOS.

94.5

can contineut, but with an almost total ubsenco of evidence to the con-
trary, the direction of the movement of cultnre and art designs has
been in the opposite direction to that ilhistrated by the present
instance. In oLher words, the Haida and other influences liave been
pushing steadily nortliward and westward aniongHt and beyond the
territory of the Thlinkit, and not from the latter areas eastward and
southward.

By reference to the illustrations in the plate, it will be observed that
the concentric circles, apparently ma<le in the same manner on all the
pieces where present, were made by pieces of metal tiled to a V-shaped
form, one apex or side being left a little longer, perhaps, than the other,
so as to more easily serve as the center pivot. The rings are of differ-
ent width from the outer, showing that they were not made by an
instrument with movable arms, in imitation of a pair of dividers. Fur-
thermore, the diameters are not exactly of the regulation size, as would
be found in a common manufactured bit, but the outer rings are less
than one-fourth of an inch in diameter, being almost soven-thirty-
seconds — an unusual size. The inner circles are scant three-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter, clearly indicating that the tools were of aborig-
inal workmanship, though made of imported metals as well as
imported instruments.

The arrangement of circles as in fig. 3, plate 9, is also in imitation of
Aleutian and other Eskimo i)atterns, and foreign to the ornamentation of
the Thlinkit, as far, at least, as illustrated in the products of that tribe
now in the collection of the National Museum. Heference has already
been made to a like arrangement of circles on some of the ancient
British coins, referred to at page 819, and a closely resembling example
of which is shown in plate 47, fig. 1.

The strong resemblance between some of the carvings of the Eskimo
and those of the cave dwellers of the Dordogne has been referred to
by various authors.

Mr. Edward T. Stevens remarks that " It is singular that, except at
La Madelaine, none of the bones appear to have been gnawed by
beasts of prey." The cave people are believed, therefore, to have
occupied the caves permatiently or to have closed them when deserted,
and to have excluded carnivorous animals which might otherwise have
been attracted by the accumulation of bones.

Doctor A. B. Meyer, director of the Royal Zoological and Anthropo-
logical Museum in Dresden, has recently published some magnificent
folio volumes on the ethnographic jaaterials from various localities —
from the Philippines, New Guinea, etc. — and in Volume ix of the series
presents some illustrations of combs bearing decorations, which would
at a cursory glance suggest the type from which the Eskimo orna-
mentation was obtained for the comb shown in plate 32, fig. 4. The
several specimens of workmanship of the Nigritos above mentioned
may be found by reference to Doctor Meyer's plate 2, figs. 1, 2, and 3.
NAT MUS 95 60

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1 1 1

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1 1

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1 '^

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K ' ■. 1 -'

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^lifl

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946

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896

Plate 65, fig. 4, is a thread case of reindeer horn, marked as from
'^Ooglaamie." This is interesting, because of tlie peculiar portraiture
of reindeer horns, in which these projections are exceedingly tall and
straight, as compared with the art work of other localities. The most
interesting figure connected with this is the representation of a kaiak,
immediately above which are two nucleated rings, exactly like those
shown in the pctrog]y])hs from Sweden.

Plate 7, fig. 1, represents an arrow straightener made of reindeer
antler. The specimen measures Of inches in length, and is Hurmounted
by the outlines of a reindeer's head, the small knobs only indicating
the rudimentary horns. The eyes are made by the insertion in small
perforations of three glass beads. The nostrils and mouth, as well as
the ears and the external meatus, are all very true to nature.

An incised line extends along the spine from the occiput to within an
inch of the rear end, and two incised lines, one on either side of the
neck, run parA>llel therewith.

This specimen is very interesting as comparing very favorably with
some of the specimens figured by Messrs. Lartet and Christy,' which
are found in tlie cases of Dordogne.

An exceedingly interesting arrow straightener of walrus ivory is
shown on the same plate, fig. 2. The reindeer, which is portrayed in
outline, has tlie head thrown forward as in rapid running. The legs
are gathered up close to the bodyj the ears are indicated by mere
perforations, while the eyes were originally inlaid, one still retaining a
plug of dark wood. The perforation in the body — for the insertion of
spear or arrow points — was made by sawing the spaces between the
perforations made by drilling, the saw marks yet remaining where the
angles w<'re formed.

The perforations in the arrow straighteners in the Museum collection
are all at an angle of about 20° to 40°, so as to permit the inserted
piece to extend backward toward the longest projection of the straight-
ener, in order that a sort of V shape is formed, the two ends being thus
more readily grasped by the one hand, so as to produce stronger and
more steady pressure than if both hands were used.

A number of deeply incised and uncolored figures of reindeer are
engraved over the body of the utensil, and but a single character
differing therefrom ai)pears to be that of a shaman, shown near the
point of the perforation, his two arms being extended and his head
decorated with horn-like ]>rojection8, as if the result of a ceremonial
mask.

The third specimen (fig. 3 on plate 7) also represents an arrow
straightener, the head end of which ends in the outline of the fore
quarters of a bear. The eyes are made of two blue beads inserted in
perforations, and the teeth are indicated by incisions with the graver.
The fore legs are made to extend downward over the front of the per-

> Reliquiae Aquitanicto Loudon, 1875, PL B. XIX, XX.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

947

foration so as to give additional strength to that part. The Ni>eciinen
is slightly decorated on one side with the outline of a hamau being
with arms extended, a line extending from the head along the middle
toward the perforation; on one side is the drawing of a wolf, while
beneath it is a flintlock gun. Upon the other side is the representa-
tion of a reindeer, with two smaller animal forms incised, while beneath
the former is the rude portrayal of another flintlock gun, the flint being
indicated by an unusually strong line projecting from the raised hammer.

The general outline of these animal forms appears at a flrst and
careless glance to be very like the examples flgured by Messrs. Lartet
and Ghristy, but upon close inspection the difference between the sev-
eral types becomes more and more apparent. As before intimated,
if the cave dwellers of France were in such an intellectual status as is
ii9ti»lly claimed, the artistic work as evidenced in their etcliings on
horn appears vastly suiierior to that of many peoples far in advance in
civilization.

Farther discussion on this subject is not deemed appropriate in this
connection, but will be renewed in a paper the purport of which is
intended to be an examination of the relative merits of the art work
of primitive peoples.

Similarities of design with divers signiflcations, and dissimilar pat-
terns with like purport, occur in all parts of the habitable globe, and,
as before intimated, the concept giving origin to such designs should in
all instances, where practicable, be sought for among the pe«)ples who
are the authors thereof. In like manner, it is of the highest importance
to obtain tlie native artists' interpretation of any obscure or conven-
tionalized characters, as such are often apparently intelligible from
their resemblance to characters of known signification, whereas the
result of inquiry may sometimes be rather startling, if not open to the
suspicion that the uncultured artist is himself unconsciously iu error.

APPENDIX.

The following list of gesture sign? were collected during the summer
of 1882 in San Francisco, California, where an intelligent Kadiak half-
caste was met with under circumstances which enabled him to devote his
exclusive attention to the subject of the transmission of thought with-
out the use of oral speech. This person was the offspring of a Russian
father and a Kadiak mother, and during his youth had almost con-
stantly accompanied his father in trading and collecting peltries for
the Russian Fur Company. After the transfer to the United States of
Alaska, this man, Vladimir Naomoif, continued in the service of the
Alaska Commercial Company, of San Francisco, California, visiting the
various settlements of natives on the mainland and inland to the Cop-
per River Indians [Kutchin or Kenai], a tribe of the Athabaskan lin-
guistic family. In this manner Naomoff became thoroughly familiar
not only with Russian, English, and the Kadiak dialect, but with half

:• I

948

BRPOKT OF NATIONAL MU8EUM, 1895.

a dozen or iqore other native dialects, which enabled him to observe
and acquire the varioaH reHourtieR which many of the natives, meeting
as strangers, would be compelled to employ to enable them to commu-
nicate in ordinary contact, and also in the representation of graphic
methods whereby to communicate to owners of houses of a visit and
the import thereof.

The collection of gestures was made, together with many others, from
most of the Indian tribes west of the Mississip])! Uiver, and deposited
in the library of the Bureau of Kthnology, through the courtesy of
which I am enabled to give them publicity in this connection.

okstukr sions ok rhkimo.
Bad.

Place the flat hands, with the palms Ibrwanl, in front of their respective shoulders,

the fingers extended and naturally separated, then throw tlioin forward and Itack-

ward alternately, the face at the same time assuming an expression (»f disgust.

Bbavkr.

Make the sign for tree; thenbnap the teeth and hook the curved index horizontally
inward toward the face from a position in front and to the right of it; then extend
the left fist tnlgewise to the front and left of the body, tliu right extended toward
the same direction though on a higher plane; then pull them simultaneously back
toward the right, in a jerky or tugging manner. Conception : Tree, cutting down with
the teeth, and dragging away log.

Bravkk (abbreviated sign).

Indicate the canines by sticking the forefingers u|>ward and forward teoni the
corners of the mouth ; then snap the teeth several times and hook the curved index
horizontally toward the month from a position to the front and right of it.

BhAK, Black.

Pass the fiat hands alternately upward and forward from the face, pnlliug them
back again more fiexed, as in imitation of his climbing a. tree.

Bio. (Broad.)

Pass hoih flat hands, palms downward, from a position before the body outward
toward their respective sides.

Boat.

Place the clinched hands at the left side of the body, the right higher than the
loft, and pass botli simultaneously horizontally backwards toward the left hip.
Conception: Vting the jmddle.

Boil, To.

Snap the fingers upward from the inner surface of the tips of the thumb; at the
same time move tliem upward and downward in small circles about 2 feet from
the ground. Conception : The bubbling of boiling water.

Born, To he.

Place the extended fore and second fingers (or all the fingers) against either side
of the epigastrium and throw them simultaneously downward along the body, out-
ward and forward in a curve. Conce}>tiou: Pelric curre followed by head of child in
birth.

Brother.

Make the sign for mustache in imitation of pulling the hair upon the upper lip
forward, followed by the sign for man by lifting the hand, and then the sign for
mine, clinchin^ij; the fist and thrusting it forcibly forward edgewise toward the
ground toward the lower part of the breast.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

949

HiTRY,To. (Hiiried.)

TliiHHigii niud«t to Tullow tbut f<>r iiiuii, ur a man d«tt«l or killed.

Place Itoth hnnda iiesrly at utui'h length bufore tlie body, palmH down, about 8 or
10 inches u|Mirt, and IH inobeH or 2 feet froiu the groiiutl ; then tiraw them backward
HiiniiltuneoiiHly toward the body, slowly.

ClIIKK, HKAI).

Make the bIkh tor man (mustache) ; then place the flat right hand before the face,
at some distance, tinkers extended and Hi>paratod and poiutiUK upward, and touch
the tip of the middle flngor with the uxtunde«< foretinger of the left hand. Concep-
tion : The mont elevated of the whole tiHiiiber,

Ciiibk's WiKK, Head

Make the si{i(n for chief, head (mountain natives); then place the flat hand at the
height of the fucu, palm inward, AugerH extended and Heparatud ; tlicn tlex the tlinmb
at the first joint and lay the tip of tl>c index upon it juHt back of the thumb nail;
conclude by passing the right band downward over the right side of the head and
outward toward the shoulder — hair, woman.

COLI>.

Imitate shivering as from cold. Sometimes the clinched hands are brought for-
ward in front of the breattt, as in involuntarily done when sutt'ering from the cold.
COMK, Tu. (Influ.) Camb.

Bring the hand from one side of the body inward toward the breast, the Angers
pointing upward and nearly collected to a point.

Crbrk.

With the palms facing and about 10 or 12 inches apart, pass them edgewise for-
ward to arm's length, then add the sign for drink. Course and width of water.

DAI'GIITKU.

Make the sign for woman (hair) ; designate height, and mine.
Day.

Throw the head slightly upward with the cyebrowH elevated, and throw the hands
upward and outward with the iingors extended and separated, palms inward and
slightly to the front.
Day.

Hands passed upward and outward toward their respective side in a curve from
near the front of the breast, and terminating at a point as high aH the top of the
head, but on either side of it. The eyes follow an upward direction at the same time.

Day.
8ame sign as for 8un,

Dkai).

Cross the forearmH upon the brcoHt and throw the head back, with the eyes closed.

Tliis gesture is also made by the natives of the interior, who are unacquainted
with the customs or religion of the Hussiaus.

Dekk.— BrcK.

Place the hands with the tingers and thumbs extended and separated, palms
forward, above and on either side of the hea<l. Conception : Horns.

Debh.— Doe.

With the hands scoop-shaped, fingers spread and extended, imitating running,
with the hands thrown downward, the movement being alternately with right and
left.
Deity. (Great Spirit.)

The same sign .as given by the coast Indians by pointing upward toward the
zenith, and then imitate the cross by passing the fingers of the right hand from the
forehead to the breast, and then from the left shoulder to the right, instead of the
right to the left.

I n.

: if

i ' .|

i ■■. .

950

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, ISftf..

DucTOK. (riiyNii-inii.)

Make the hI^u Tor mail ; iiidirnte the oiitliiieH of u B<|imru by paRHiiig the right hand
iidgewlNti t<» the liKht, the left from th t ri^ht Hide toward the loft, tlioiiKh leaving
the linos about » foot apart; then pans *>otli handa Hiinultuueoiialy from tho ft'out line
hut-kward towiird the hody^^utlincH of a Itox ; make a dotting motion downward
with the hent tingerH, pretend to grind HomothinK 'n a Nmall veasol, then point to
the south — Hi^ttlemontH of tho StatoH — and con«dn«lo by making tlie aigu for drink.
Concoptiou: ilan, box, coulentt, firindiiiff in mortar, lovatiou, drink.

Du<i.
Repreaented by imitating tho sound of barking — wn'-wA'.

Dog Hi.KixiK, TKAVKMN(i nv.

Make th« sign for dog by indicating tho orioa, both handH with Angers ei tended
being hold to the sides of tho houd; at tlie Name tinio loan tho body forward, bond
tho arms at tho elbowc, and throw tho Hat right hand horizontally forward as high
as the shouldor, and when nearly at arm's length pass it downward in a cnrve, and
Btraight backward on a level with the hip and to that point. As the right hand is
moved back, the left is thrown similarly forward. Uoth are repeatedly moved to
represent crawling over tho surface.

DRIVK l'-(>ltWARI>, t'R<tK, To.

Close tho hands naturally, place them before tho lower part of tho breast, then
throw them siiuultanoously downward and forward and extend the lingers us tho
motion iirogrosses.

Eat, T(».

Approximate tho tips of the fingers and thumb to a point, ))lace them near the
mouth, and move backward and forward from tho mouth quickly, but only for a
short distance.

Fatiikk.

I'lace both hands (slightly curved, with the tips of the fingers somewhat approxi-
mated toward a point) a short distance from tho cheeks, pointing tlowuward toward
the chin and nearly touching palms toward the point of the chin.

Fatiikk.

Make tho preceding sign, to which add those for man — by elevating tho hand — and
for mine.

Fatiikk's kkotiier.

Make tho sign (or father, i. e., by indicating the board and making the sign for
gesture, after whi<-h height or talluoss is indicatetl by placing the hand forward in
front of the body, when the right hand is placed vertically in front or to the side of
the head to indicate man ; this gesture is then followed by mustache. Conception:
The beard and muataehe upon the tall man belonying to the speaker.

Father's sistkij.

Make the sign for father, as before, and hin, by throwing the thumb only extended
outward a little to the right; then for young woman, which is indicated by stroking
the side of the head, downward, as to denote long hair, and then pinchiag the lobe
of the ear to designate earrings.

Fight, To.

Close the hands, leaving the extended thumbs lying along over the flex forefingers;
then pass both hands in irregular movements, forward, downward, and backward
again, quickly, as if boxing.

Fish.

Hold the right hand edgewise before the right side of the waist, fingers directed
to tho trout, then pass it forward and a little toward the left, moving it in a wav-
ing manner from side to side.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE KSKIMOH.

9r)i

Qivm, To ANOTIIRIt.

Place the thniiih upon the inner aiirfaon of the in«U<x, IhiKurit extended and Joined,
palm ui), and panH the hiind outward to one Hide, an if giving a Nnuill object lield by
the thumb and index.

QlVK, To MK.

Place the hand with the palm up, lliigerii extentled and Joiuod, about 2 foot before
the body ; then, as it is brought in toward the breiutt, curve the hand Hlightly, placing
the thuml> against tlie index us if gniHping some oltjeet which had been given.

OlVK, Tu, TO ANoTiiKit. (Urnutlug a rei|ueHt. )

Place the tipH of the tingers agaiuHt tlie edge of the thumb, thus eloHing the hand
naturally, and pasH it from near the side of the breast in a curve outward and down-
ward toward the ground, uk if laying a gift at the feet of tlie Hupplicant.

Oooi>.

Place the handH with the palm downwanl before their r<<Hpeetive sides of the
breast and as high uh the shoulders, the lingerH naturally Heparated, exteiidetl, and
slightly eurved; then jtasH them rapidly and alternately toward the top of the breast,
at the same tinie assuming a pleased countenance with the brown arched.

GRA88.

Place the backs of the hands near th«^ earth, the lingerN soparatiul and curved
upward; then, as the bunds are thrust up and down (|uici(ly, they also uutve from
side to side or place to place. Conceptions: Sprouting, nhorl regetation, and the una
thus fo»'«»-;d.

Gravk, Child's.

(1) Place the tiat hands edgewise before the body as high as the shoulders, then
paM them downward toward the ground forudistance of about l.'i inches; then place
the right hand edgewise at arm's length before tliu breast, pointing toward the left,
the left between it and the breast, edgewise and pointing toward the right, then
pass both downward as far as before; (2) tlieu hold the separated and extended
index uud second fingers of the right hand before the face and jt'ish it upward a
short distance ; (3) make the sign for tvrite; (t) place the Hat ham. or hands palm
down, pointing forward about 18 inches from the grou!ul; tlien conclude with the
(5) sign for dead.
Hauitatiun. (Medicine Lodge. Kacigi.)

Indicate a large horizontal square (exaggerated sign for box); then make tlie sign
for roof (high) by passing the Hat hands, from a point above and in front of tlie head,
outward toward their respective sides and us far down as the waist, linger tips
pointing to place of starting; make the Bi<ru for man (mustache), indicate one by
elevating the index, then raise tlio second linger — two; then the third — three; and
Hnally the little one— /our; then maku the sign for enteiimj a house by passing the
right flat hand, pointing, forward and slightly downward under the h-ft ilat palm,
forward nearly to arm's length; then make the sign for man (niustaclie), and that
for bow, indicate tn-o, three, four, aiul entering the lodge as before, then place them to
four corners of the imaginary building.

Make the signs for shaman (ablireviuted), four, and come, by bringing the curved
though elevated index from the front and right to before the breast ; then ])ass the
right flat hand horizontally forward under the left palm also, to indicate entering the
Lodge.

Indicate a large horizontal circle with both h.inds from nearly at arm's length
backward toward the body; then make the sign for man (mustache), and move the
body up and down and place the hands to the front and sides as if dancing around
the circle just indicated.

Hot (weather).

Pass the slightly bent hands, palms downward, from before the cheeks, upward
and outward as far as the top of the hmu'i. At the same time expel the breath
several times, as in Ha! Ha! but not al»ove a whisper.

)«

Jiff

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952

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

IllINOKY.

1. Make the sign ''or eal, tben rub tho hand dowuward over tho stomach aud
abdomen.

2. Make the sign for eat, then that for nothing.

Hunt, To (for work or game).

With the palm down aud the fingers directed forward, pass the hand rather quickly
from side to side at a distance of about 20 incites before the face.

tlUSIIAND.

Make tho sign for man (muHtach<Oi for mine, aud Hleep,
I, Mu, My, Mine. (Possession.)

The tips of the fingers placed gently to tho middle of the breast, and at the same
time make a slight inclination forward of the head.

Kaiak (Haidarka).

Place the closed hands on a level with aud about 15 inches before their respective
shoulders, palm or sides to tho front. Tlion pass the left fist downward, backward,
aud outward toward tho left, and in a curve continue upward, forward, and back to
point of starting, i. e., the right follows the motion of the left, maintaining its dis-
tance as in comniencemunt. When the left turns up ami back on its course, the
right begins a similar gesture on its side. " Represents the manner of using the
double-blade oar (or paddle) of tho coast natives,"
KiLi,, To. Killed.

Place the right forearm horizontally forward from the elbow, flat hand, palm
downward ; the left tlat hand poiiitiug upwar<l aud forward from the left side; then,
as the right baud is rotated outward aiul tho back down, throw the left palm
straight across and downward over the right forearm.

Kill, To (with a gun).

Point the left forelinger forward at arm's length, the index pointing in the same
direction from the right eye ; then make the sign for to kiU, kiUed.
Kill, To (with a knife).

Make a forward and downward thrust with tlie list, oiitiT edge down, then con-
clude instantly with the sign for to kiU,

Kill, To (with a knife).

Thrust the right closed hand edgewise downward and toward the front, quickly,
coming to an abrupt termination when about as low down as the height of the
waist.
Kill, To (with an arrow).

Simulate shooting with an arrow ; then make the sigu to kill.
Land otieu.

The flat hand edgewise (or tho extended iudex) in a curve to the front — as for
whale, in direction though not so high— and give several quick whistles as if call-
ing pigeons.

Lie. (Falsehood.)

Make the sign for talk; thou throw the hands outward and forward, palms down
and slightly curved, at the same time puffing with the mouth — bad.

Lodge (Indian).

Place the inner surfaces of the tips of the extended fingers of both hands together,
the wrists being only an inch or two apart.

Similar to a common Indian gesture.
Lodge (white mau's).

1. Lay the edge of the extended index across the extended forelinger, the first
joints touching.

2. In addition to the preceding, extend the left thumb aud place on the extended
index.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE EBKIMOS.

953

3. With the index iiii«l Befuntl tiiiKcrs of liuth hands extended, ]»luco tbeiu together
BO that they cross, about the first jointM, the ri);ht index above.
Man.

1. Pretend to catch the ends of the mustache with the hands and twist them out-
ward from the face to right and left.

2. Pull the fingers and thumbs over the sides of the upper !ip as if twisting and
pulling outward a long mustache, then throw the right hand, palm forward, before
the right shoulder, pointing upward.

Man (old).

Place the finger tips of the slightly curved hands together before the chin, though
about 6 inches from it, palms toward the Jaw, thou pass them upward toward their
respective sides of the head; then imitate walking with a statf, I)y passing the
closed fist edgewise Ibrward and downward in a circle several times.

Many.

Slap the palms quickly toward one another before tlie breast, tingers pointing
upward and naturally extended and separated. Refers to "many-times counted-
fiugers."
Moon.

Close the eyes while indicating a circle with the bands above and in front of the
bead; then pass the flat band, edgowiise, out toward the front and right from the
center of the breast.
MOTHEIt. ..

Close the bands, incline the head forward, then pass the hands upward from the
back of the head, forward, and downward toward the forehead, the motion corre-
sponding to the curve of the head, but the bands about 3 or 4 inches from it.

MOTHEK.

Make the sign for woman, and to be horn.
Mother's bkothrk.

Make the sign mother [i. e. tromcn, to bu horn, and mine'], then for tall, by indicating
height with the flat band ])alm down; man, by elevating the liand, and that for
mustache.
Mother's sister.

Make the signs for mother [woman, to be horn, and mine] and young woman ; conclude
by throwing the fist with the thumb extended in a pointed manner a little to the
right, indicating her».

MUSKRAT.

Curve the left fingers and thumb and bring the tips almost to a point, leaving a
slight opeuing, palm down, and horizontal, linger tips pointing toward the right;
then bring the extended index pointing from tlio left side directly toward the left,
in an upward curve first, thcu downward and forward into the opening left at the tip
of the left.
Night.

Incline the head toward the breast with the eyes closed, and ))lacc the fiat and
slightly bent hands with the palms down before the brows, the finger tips almost
touching.
No.

Place the curved hands edgewise with the backs forward, the fingers touching
and pointing toward the breast, then throw them outward toward their respective
sides a short distance, though rather smartly.

Nothing. (Have nothing.)

Throw the extended bands horizontally forward and outward toward their res]>eo
tive sides from a position before the breast.
Ocean.

Make the sign for iig, broad, and that for kaiak — indicating double-bladed paddle.

vl;!

954

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

i i

Pkoi>lb.

Move the elevated index with the palmed Hurface forward, from side to side, before
the face. " Men at various places."

The index is an alibroviation of the general sign for man, and this was the only
instance in which it was used.

PonciiPiNK.

With the palms directed toward and near the ground, imitate slow walking by
moving them alternately forward an«l backward ; stoop over to the front, throw the
separated fingers backward toward the hip, then throw the extended index violently
outward and backward.

"Imitates slow movement of the animal, the spiny covering, and the direction
of the spines thrown from the tail."

Porpoise.

Place the right hand in the same position as for whale, make the motion to the
front leas in extent, and accompany with a whistling bound from the left corner of
the mouth, resembling the sound pin.

Rain.

Place the flat hands on a level with the face, palms down, fingers pendent, and
move the hands alternately up and down, blowing gently witli the mouth at the
same time.

RiVKK.

Make the sign as for creek, the hands being hold nuieh farther apart, tlien pass the
right hand edgewise forward to arm's length, in a serpentine manner.
"Course and width of water containing fish."

Sea ottek.

Flex both hands, jtlacc the outer edges together Just before the neck, palms toward
the face, throw the head back, open tiie month to full extent and imitate the gut-
tural sound of X or cli twice or three times, at the same time making a downward
pull with the hands.

Settlement.

Indicate a large circle, horizontally, by passing the hands in semicircle, right and
left, from nearly at arm's length backward to the breast; then place the tips of the
fingers of both hands together, leaving the hands and forearms leaning outward
and downward to their respective sides, the distance between the elbows being about
24 inches.

The large-sized roof house indicates plurality in this instance.

Shaman (complete sign).

Make the sign for graan, herba, then pull it from the ground by grasping forward
with one hand, closing it and pulling it toward the body; then the sign for to boil,
add the sign for gire, and for drink, and conclude with that for matt — mustache.
Conception : The mun who boils herba and gives the liquid to drink.

Shaman. (Sorcerer, c«mjurer.)

Shake the hand»<, with the fingers spread, violently on either side of the head,
imitate the cawing of a crow (or the barking of a dog) with the mouth, and Hap the
hands downward before the shoulders, then strike upward on either side of the face
and forward, and with the scoop-shaped hand pretend to catch something in the air,
and shake the hands thus placed, upward and downward, several times.

Note. — "The bird spirits are good, the animal, bad ones."

Shaman (common, abreviated sign).

Throw the hand upward from either side of tlie head [the upper arms horizontal]
and wave the hands, with fingers extended and separated around in short circles,
horizontally.

Shamanbss.
Make the sign fur tvoman and that for ahantan.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

955

Sick.

1. Plaoe the flat right hand over the left breast, and the left over the right side
below the right forearm ; at the same time throw the head to one side, with eyes
closed, and breathe heavily — ottering alight moans, if illness be extreme.

2. Throw the head and body to one Hide, bn^athe heavily, and lay the right arm
across the breast with the hand over the left breast, and lay the left hand across
below the right, so that the left hand tonches the right forearm near the elbow,
" internal suffering."

Cnts and fractures are indicated panturaimiciUiy, after which the above sign is
made, to illustrate specifically the nature of the sickness.
Sister.

Make the signs for young woman and mine.
Slkbp.

Bring the palm of the tlat right hand toward the head, and incline the head to the
right at the same time, with the eyes closed. Sometimes the palm touches the ear.
Snow.

Make the "'pi for rain; then indicate depth with the flat right hand. This is not
accompanied by blowing round, as the gesture for rain.
Son.

Indicate height with the flat right hand, then make the sign for mine.
Stove, Native.

Place the flat hands edgewise above and in front of their respective shoulders,
about 20 inches apart, then pass them earthward ab far as the hips; then pass the
flat right hand, palm down, from the left side to the right as high as the top of the
head, the left baud at the same time moving similarly from right to left and about
10 inches below the right. Then tbruHt the curved index several times toward the
partially opened mouth. " Form of house— on i>oles and oblong — and sign for eat —
food." Literally /ood hoH««.
Summer shelter. Temporary.

Place the separated and extended fingers of one band against those of the other, the
wrists about 8 inches apart, then draw the liaudK downward and outward a short
distance to their respective sides; then pass the flat hands from a position in front
of the face, and over the spot indicating the top of the roof in the preceding gesture,
outward aud downward to their respective sides; indicating flrst an angular roof of
sticks; second, covering of skins giving it rotundity.
Sun.

Place the hands, with extended Angers upward at arm's length before the head at
an angle of abont 10° ; then pass them outward, downward, and inward, indicating a
circle of about 12 inches in diameter; then throw the extended and separated fingers
upward and outward from the upj)er periphery of the imaginary circle, with palms
to the front — rays of light. " Radiating sun," " light."
Talk, To; Talked.

Place the tips of the index, second finger, and thumb together ; then as they are
moved forward a few times from the same point at a distance of about inches before
the mouth, open them slightly as if letting fly that which had been held by them.
Time, Ago. (Past time.)

Pass the upright flat left hand, back first outward toward the left, throwing the
head slightly in the same direction.
Tobacco (Coast sign).

Indicate a small box by passing the flat right hand edgewise to the right arm, the
left toward the left, leaving a space between them of 6 inches; then pass both simul-
taneously from front to back — same distance between palms ; then rub the approx-
imated finger tips into the left palm and put left-hand fingers into the mouth, asif
poking in a "quid of tobacco."

"Taking tobacco from a box." The coast natives carry tobacco in small wooden
or other boxes.

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HEPO&T OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1^95.

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Tobacco ();«;Htare as made by the Mountain or Kenai Indians).

Indicate a circle on the ground by pasHing both hands from u common point, out-
ward, backward, and inward, of a diameter of about 10 inches, then make the sign
tasfire; then place the tips of the fingers of the right hand into the palm of the
left, pretend to pick u)> ashes from the indicated fireplace, and mix with contents of
left hand; then take the "mixed preparation" and place into the cheek, so as to
push it out with the fingers.

Tobacco (juids are carried behind the ear, and when wanted to chew, ashes are
mixed with them, for pungency, etc.

To-morrow.
Make the sign for one, for sleep, and for day.

Trai> (Marten).

Place the closed left hand before the breast, palm inward, fore and second fingers
extended and separated, then introduce the index at right angles between them and
snap them together. "Represents the trap used in the capture of martens."
Trap (mink and weasel, or for those animals).

Place the flat left hand before the body, palm upward, finger tips directed down-
ward; then place the wrist of the fiat right hand upon that of the left, the finger
tips pointing forward and upward, then slap the front of the hands together.

" Represents the form and fall of the trap used in the capture of these animals."
Trkb.

Pass the elevated and extended index upward before the face as high or higher
than the top of the head; then from the point of termination of the movement pass
the right and left hands upward and outward to their respective sides, fingers
extended and slightly separated.

"Stem, and branches."

Tkikal signs (Coast natives generally).
Make the sign for man [mustache] and imitate paddling a boat — on one side only.
"Canoe men."

Tribal skins. (Island people.)

Indicate a large horizontal circle by drawing the hands outward, backward, and
inward toward the breast from a point nttarly at arm's length ; then add the sign for
people.

The sign for inland, here, is the same as the first part of the sign for settlement.
The specific addition indicates the difi'erence.

Tribal sign (Kiate;i;'amut).

Make a sign for vm» [mits/ac/ie], then indicate a tiueue by drawing the extended
index downward, outward, and backward from the upper posterior portion of the
head.

"Queue men, i. e., the men who wear (pieues."
Tribal signs (Ko'losh) [Kol'tsan],

Make the sign for man [mustache], for river, and for mountain, then place the
right closed hand with the back forward and downward, leaving the index slightly
flexed so as to point upward.

"Mountain-river men."
Tribal signs (Russian).

Place the right closed hand with the palm up pointing downward and outward to
the right, the index only partly extended and curved upward — pipe bowl; then push
the hand forward a short distance — length ; then pretend to grasp a stick by placing
the hand to the right corner of the mouth, the index and second fingers above, the
thumb pressing from below — holding pipe; then give several vigorous pus's.

"The pipe smokers."

NoTK. — It is afllrmed that "pipes were not smoked prior to the advent of the
Russians."

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

967

Tribal signs (Tai'-ant) [Aleutian].

Hold the hnnds edgewise and about 8 inches apart, pointing horizontally forward,
then pass the hands forward and gradually to a point reprenenting the Hharp bow of
uboat; then place the two fists, palms forward, ns high as and forward from the
shoulders, throw both hands downward, backward, and outward toward the left,
then similarly to the right aide, retaining the relative distance between the hands
always — manner of using the double-blade paddle.

Tkikal signs (Ti-nai'-na) [Tenan Kntchin].

Both hands Hat and edgewise, pointing horizontally forward; place the wrists
together, the fingers and palms directed outward, forming an angle of about 40"^;
then pass the hands forward and outward and inward again until the finger tips
join — outline of wooden boat; then imitate movement as if working single paddle,
as in the sign for Kadiak.
TiUBAL SIGNS (Tiai'na).

Make the sign for man [mustache] ; then make the sign foi fire as high upward,
from near the ground, as the face.

" The men who have big fires."

Whale.

Bend the flat right hand edgewise toward the ulna; place it before the right side
pointing upward and to the front, allowing the thiiiiib fo be erected slightly so that
the tip points upward ; then pass the hand ujtward, forward, and downward, describ-
ing >: curve with the convexity above. At the same time, acconi])any the movement
with h sound represented by "pifi' from a higher to a lower note, embracing about
six notes.

"Movement of whale and sound."

Wife, My.

Make the sign for woman, earring — with both hands and ears — and conclude by
making that for sleep.

WlNI>.

Throw both palms altern.itely forward from the corro8i>onding sides of the body,
and blow violently with the mouth.

Winter. ,

Place the flat hands with spread fingers as high as the head and about 2 feet before
it, finger tips touching, then pass them in downward curves outward toward their
respective sides — form of hut; then hold the left flat hand and forearm pointing
horizont.illy toward the right, and pass the right hand, palm down, forward, under
and beyond the left arm, when the right hand ngain rises a little. Conception:
Entering by a deep channel — underground.

Wolf.

Throw the right hand (or both right and left) directly forward from the face, with
the fingers spread, and as the hand reaches arm's length clinch the thumb and
fingers; at the same time open the mouth to the fullest extent and force out the
breath audibly and snap the teeth.

Woman.

Pass the partly flexed hands from the top of the head downward toward their
respective shoulders. The hands follow the outline of the head and shoulders, but
do not touch them. Conception : Long hair.

Woman (old).

Make the sign for woman; then hold the closed hand before the face, palm for-
ward, the index being raised and bent toward the front. "Curved and bent of
body of an old person."
Yes.

Nod the head forward until the chin touches the Itreast, once or twice.

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958

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

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Ybstkkdat.

Make the sign for one, for tleep, and for pott time, by passing the npright flat loft
hand slowly outward toward the left, leaning the head a, little in the same direction.

YOUNO MAN.

Pass tlie naturally closed hands from the front of the body backward around the
sidns ol the waist, then bend tbe elbows and move the arms an if running. Con-
ception : Belt, and activity and vvjor.

Young woman.

Make the sign for woman; then gently grasp the lobo of the ear with the thumb
and index and paHS tlic hand down slowly as far as the front of thu shoulder —
"longhair" and "earring."

SPEOIMENS REFERRED TO IN PRESENT PAPER.

The specimens selected from the collections of the National Museum,
upon which to base the present paper, are enumerated below, and in
all instances, where possible, the National Museum Catalogue number
is attached, as well as the nature of the specimen, the locality from
which obtained, and the name of the collector. Other information of
interest as to the character of the etchings engraved therein is also
atlded in a few examples.

The list is divided into two general classes, the former embracing
the drill bows, bag handles, and other long rods; while the second
comprises all other inscribed pieces, such as utensils, weapons, orna-
ments, toys, and other undetermined specim^'us.

The leading word refers to the article under consideration, which is
followed by the locality where it was obtained. The name of the col-
lector is next given, which, in turn, is followed by the numbers under
which it is placed in the accession list of the National Museum.

The entire series of numbers, from first to last, is in order so as to
facilitate identification by that means as well as the kind of object
referred to.

The list forms but a small part of the collections from Alaska, but is
sufficiently comprehensive for the present paper.

DRILL BOWS AND BAG HANDLES.

Drill bow. Anderson River. K. Konnicott. 2171. Has a long thong attached.
The bow is of ivory, 13 inches long and three-fourths of an inch in height,
being much heavier and rounded in form than others. There is no orna.nientation.

Bag handle. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24412. Plate 31, fig. 2.

Bag HANDLE. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24417. Plate 31, fig. 3.

Bag HANDLE. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24415. Plate 38, fig. 1.

Bag HANDLE. St. Michaels. L.M.Turner. 24425. Plate LH, fig. 2.

Bag handle. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 24427. White ivory specimen with
characteristic /ig^'ag i>atteru in parallel-line space.

KUNTAG HANDLE. St. Michaels. [L.M.Turner.?] 24429.

Drill bow. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24533. An old stained bow, with rude
figures representing a whale being harpooned, with float in the air. Following
this is an umiak, and a native behind a hillock watching some reindeer. The
hillock is surmounted by a tree, though the figure resembles smoke issuing from
a hut. The opposite side has four vessels, one with natives, and a man near a
walrus, behind a wolf, next a reindeer, and before this another wolf and a goose.
The oblique figures at the end are ornamental.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

959

iit flat loft
direction.

ironnd the
ing. Con-

the thumb
shoulder —

Museum,
w, ami ill
le uuniber
ility from
'mation of
}in is also

ambracing
he second
)ons, orna-

I, which is
of the col-
bers under
iim.

Br 80 as to
of object

iska, but is

Dfi attached,
ih iu height,
Diiaientation.

)eciuien with

»w, with rude
Following
Bindeer. The
issuing from
a man near a
f and a goose.

Drill row. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24536. Hears upon one side the figure
of a stem wheel steamboat, an illustration of which is given in iig. 31. Upon
the reverse a few reindeer, fox, wnlf, a two-masted schooner, and a three-deck
kaiak, above the latter an outline of tlie human figure with arms partly
extended, as in gesture for surprise. The upper edge t»r rim lias some decora-
tion consisting of rude short liuoa arranged diagonally, though crossing at right
angles to one another.

Dkill Bow. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24537. An old bow, having on one side
a number of seals, divided into two divisions by eight upright whale flukes.
Rather decorative. Opposite side has men and dogs.

Drill Bow of Horn. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24538.

Drill Bow. Norton Sonnd. L. M. Turner. 24539. One side of the three deco-
rated faces bears figures of seals and walruses, with hunters armed with buws
and arrows, and with spear. A bear also is shown, while on the reverse is a
herd of i-eindcer being hunted.

Drill Bow. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 24543. But on(> side and the bottom
edge are decorated. The side bears a hunting record, three human figures, at the
middle, being interested in the result of shooting at some reindeer and other
animals. At the left end is a kaiak, the occupant of which is after a large bird
and two walrus. Upon the bottom edge are four hunters, each in his kaiak, after
four whales, three of which have been harpooned. The hunters are represented
as holding their paddles horizontally above tlie head, the gesture or signal that
they have cast the spear or harpoon, and also to indicate "iissi.Htanco wanted"
in so far that the animal may bo kept sight of and not permitted to escape.

Drill Bow. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24545. This bears some of the best
incised of the ordinary art work of this locality.

Drill Bow. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 2454(>. Made of reindeer horn, and
bears upon the under surface a row of eleven seals, one before the other, head-
ing toward the right.

Drill Bow. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24548. Made of reindeer, and boars
two rows of these animals divided in the middle by tliree persons — one hunter
and two attendants making gestures of attention to herd and indicating its
whereabouts.

Drill Bow of Horn. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24551.

Drill Bow of Horn. St. Michaels. I. M. Turner. 245.52.

Drill bow. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24553. A white piece ».f ivory, with
record of a man smoking while one hands an arrow to tlie third who is shooting
a reindeer. Other animals are also portr.tyed farther to the rigiit. Dog sledge
and native, as well as houses, are shown on next side, while upon the third
face are two longitudinal border lines with interior crosspieces of ornamenta-
tion, denoting the wavy or zigzag pattern. See also figures and accompanying
references passim.

Drill bow. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 24556. Piece of four panels, two of
which have umiaks with hunters. Opposite side lias /i^/ag patterns by pairs,
both inclosed between the usual p.arallel lateral lines.

Drill now. St. Michaels. L.M.Turner. 245.57. Made of reindeer horn; is orna-
mented on one side with deeply cut and uncolored outlines of birds, wolves, deer,
men, and mythic animals, several ap])earing like alligators.

Drill BOW. Sledge Island. (?) 28021. Although so marked, the record in acces-
sion catalogue is not in accord and the collector's name not given, which, without
doubt, should be Mr. Nelson's.

Drill bow. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 33179. Bears on the convex surface
some dancers. At the other end is a well-drawn umiak, from which an animal
is running. The lateral edges are ornamented with deeply incised blackened
creases, while the under side bears but two human figures, in the attitude of
boxing or sparring.

960

REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 189S.

, ■! il

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Dbill row. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 33181. The Imw is cnrvvd odgewise,
plain, with the exception of a heavily incined creaHo at the haao of either Hide.
One of these creases shows evidenceH <'f repeated scratchings with a finely
Iiointed tool.

Duiixnow. Norton Sound. E.W.Nelson.. 33182. A yellowish, rather old, Hpeci-
inen with various fi^nriis, nearly all of which are characteristic.

Drill. HOW. Norton Sound. K. W. Nelsun. 3318.3. A four sided round-edged pioco
of old ivory, KH inches in length, upon one side of wiiich only a simple tlgnru
occurs— that of a man with liis anus curved and hands leHting on his hips.

Drill how. Norton Sound. K. W. Nelson. 33184. Thin bears niurginal lines
extending from end to end, at one end being a kaiak with a, singh* hunter, while
at the other are four inverted umiaks; apparently not a finished drawing.

Drill how. Norton Sound. K. W. Nelson. .33188. Made of reindeer horn, and is
rather thin and deeply creased on either edge by one groove, and by two grooves
upon the upper and under sides. The lower side bears sharply incised engrav-
ings of reindeer hunting; tht^ herd of animals is lying down, while the hunter
is crawling up on all fours, being hidden by a hillock.

Drill how. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 33189. A liow made of reindeer horn
and bears sharply defined characters of boats, sledges, meat racks, etc.

Drill how. Norton Sound. K. W. Nelson. 33190. Bears upon convex side a herd
of reindeer, with one hunter at the right end of the rod.

Bao iiANnLS. Kogik. K. W. Nelson. .%375.

Drill HOW. Norton Sound. E.W.Nelson. 37178. A triangular bow, with figures
of conventional seals along the lower side; conventional T-shaped whale flukes
along a horizontal line upon the one side of the u])per surface, while on the
other side ^ru the conventional rear ends of whales, with the fiukcs projecting.

Kantao iiandlr. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 37742. Plate 14, fig. 3.

Drill HOW. Shaktolik. E.W.Nelson. 38521. Bears upon one side nineteen rein-
deer, no doubt purely for decorative purpose. Upon the opposite side are also
twelve reindeer, though heading in the opposite direction. These, too, are all
alike, or nearly so, and appear to be intended rather for decorating the bow than
as a record only.

Drill how. Shaktolik. E. W. Nelson. 38522. Hunter partly oblit«rated, but
to his right are five whale fiukes setting on end T-shaped and indicating that
number of whales captured. The opposite side — the bow being nuide to stand
edgewis«> — bears a reind(>er which is being shot at by a hunter. The latter ia
lying tiat and aiming with a gnn. At the other end are three granaries.

Bag iiandlb. Shaktolik. E. W. Nelson. 38523. Six inches in length and rather
stout. It is yellow with age, and bears upon the upper side one base line, to
which are attached eight figures of concentric circles with deep central pits.

Bag handle. Yukon River. ( ?) 38539. Plate 38, fig. 3.

Bag handle. Location unknown. 38752. Plato 31, fig. 1.

Bag handlk. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. 38776. Plate 31, fig. 4.

Drill HOW. Northof Norton Sound. E.W.Nelson, 38781. Both upper and lower
sides decorated with nucleated rings, the central perforations or incisions being
rather deep. The circles measure three-eighths and five-sixteenths of an inch in
diameter, arranged without any special care or purpose, simply following the
general horizontal direction of the faces. One edge has whale fiukes and the
other triangular summer habitations in regular order and apparently for dec-
orative purposes only.

Drill how. Port Clarence. T. H. Bean. 40054. This bow bears hunters spearing
seals through the ice, some of which are illustrated elsewhere. Upon the other
side are several figures of mythic animals. Upon one edge is a village of tri-
angular-8hape<l dwellings, with meat rack in middle.

Kantag handle. St. Michaels. E. W. Nelson. 43434. Plate 80, fig. 2.

GRAPHIC ART OF THE E8KIM08.

961

ud odgewiae,
r either Hido.
irith a finely

ler old, Hpeci-

il-edged ]iioco
Biinplo tlguru
liis hipa.
largiiial lines
linuter, while
rawing.
r horn, and ia
y two grooves
cised engruv-
ile the hunter

reindeer horn

, etc.

ex Bide » herd

r, with figures
I whale tlukes

while on the
ca projecting,
ig. 3.

nineteen rein -
p aide are alao
le, too, are all

the bow than

iterated, bnt
idicating that

ade to stand

The latter is
lariea.
th and rather

baae line, to
tntral pita.

per and lower
icisions being
of an inch in
following the
ukes and the
ontly for dec-

itera apearing
pon the other
illage of tri-

Drill now. Hhaktolik. K. W. Nelaon. 43810. Delicate and lieautiful engraving
marks this as very superior to ino»<t specimens. The reindeer is shown on one
side; delicately engraved umiaks and a kaiak are on the next adjoining side,
while on the reverse are partly obliterated characters, shown and described in
text in figures.

Kantac iiANhi.R. Mnalaklect. K. W. Nelson. i:«^20. Plate ."iS, lig. 3.

Ditii.i. HOW. Nnbninkhchugaluk. K. \V. NcInou. 43031.

Kantau iianix.k. Nubuiakhchugaluk. K. \V. Nclxon. 43!):%.

DitiM. now. Cape Darby. K. \V. Nelaon. 44206. Much curved and old specimen.
The length straight ucroas from point to point is 14 iucliea, while the height of
the curve ia 4 inchea. Hoth aides are decorated, the narrow edges having only
parallel lines, excepting one place ornamented with an umiak containing throe
persons The upper aide bcara a variety of delicately engraved figures, occupied
with various avocations, and many of them represented in attitudes to denote
actitm and gesture. The under aide bears a herd of reindeer, the animals, after
passing through a alough or river, approaching a hunter who is armed. Heyond
this person is another engaged in cutting up a reindeer which is lying upon its
back. At the right aide are four other reindeer in various lifelike attitudes.

Drill bow. Cape Darby. E. \V. Nelson. 44207. Hears i\ few coarsely engraved
characters, at one end being the upper line of a whale's tignre, to which are
attached lines like iina or spines from the head down toward and nearly touch-
ing the flukes.

Dhill now. Cape Darby. K. W. Nelson. 44208. Walrus hunting and scaflTolded
umiaks are shown on one of the two lower surfaces, the upper Hat surface being
without any engravings. The work is very graphic, and some of the boats in
the water are scattered, to resemble tlio work of .lapanese artists — as pertains to
an attempt at perapective in this inatance. The specimen ia shown as a text
figure.

Dkii-i, bow. Cape Darby. E. W. Nelson. 44209. Plate 24, fig. 1.

Drill mow. Cape Darby. E. W. Nelson. 44210. Kecunls on two sides consist
almost entirely of reindeer in various attitudes, and some very lifelike. A few
animala are drawn foresliortenetl.

Drill BOW. Cape Darby. E.\V. Nelson. 44212. Old yellow ivory specimen, deco-
rated on four faces. The dorsal surface has two figures incised to the depth of
over ono-sixtcenth of an inch, the figures consisting of rudely drawn animals
and human beings.

At the aide is a aeries of outlines (»f the human figure, with arms in various
attitudes, as in records portraying ceremonial dances, thougii in the present
instance the fignres appear seated upon tlie groinul, or base line. Hoats and
walruses are alao to be aeen nearer the right end, while at tlie left is a seal hunt.
Upon the opposite aide are several umiaks, going toward tlie right, in pursuit
of a whale. In the middle of the record are some indefinite outlines, among
which, however, may be detected that of a reindeer.

The under side bears upon it a number of animal forms at the left, while a
well-drawn whale is next portrayed, followed by another, wlioso l)ody is thrown
partly from the water, having been liarpooned by a hunter in the pursuing umiak
at the right. A whale fluke projects from the water behind the boat, while two
cubs and an adult boar are next shown, approaching three large figures, which
seem to be intended for heavily robed or <lressed natives.

Drill bow. Cape Darby. E. W. Nelson. 44213. Upon the dorsum of this piece
is a group of ships a. d native boata. Rude engravings of ships occur on one
side, while white men's houses are represented at other ])ortions.

Drill BOW. Cape Nome E. VV. Nelson. 44300. Delicate and ahari> engraving
marks this specimen : characteristic of this locality.
The herd of deer shown in fig. 9 are from this piece.
NAT MUS 96 61

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REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 189B.

Drim< now. Cape Noino. K. VV. NelHon. 4t:Uj7. Keprcsenta u walriiH hunt lund
harpoon throwing. Illuatrationa havn bevn pelected from this rod and mpro-
duced in connection with hunting and flahini;.

Dao iiandi.k. Cape Nonio. E. W. Ni^laon. 44308. Thia fine liir^e apocimen haa
numoroiiH iif{iir<>H of flyiu); hirda and liniiian forma roHflinbling the 0|il>wa
thunder bird. Whalo and other hnnta arn alao portrayed.

Drim. now. Cape Nome. K. W. Nolaon. 4I3!)9. A atron^ piece moaHiirinf; 17i
inches in length. Tlie two flat aidvH and one lateral edgo have been decorated.

Hag IIANDI.K. ('ape Nome. [E. \V. NelHon. ?] 14427. HearH ernde thoiiKh typical
characters of umiak, -f -like hird ti){uroH, and aeveral human tigurea. The apeci-
mcn ia yellow and coimideraldy worn.

Dnii.i. now. (^apo Nome. E. W. Nelson. 44400. A narrow Hpecimen, ineaanring
13^ inchea in length, live-aixteonthH of an inch hi^h, and one-fourth of an inch
thick. The euKravin^^H represent walrua hunting, and two of the kaiaka are
unuHually inti-resting, the Hpear rack or ^uiird being indicated in the firat kaiak,
while on the second tlie harpoon line ia ahown with the twista and curves obaerv-
able wlu'ii a coiled line is caat out.

Ditii.i. now. Cape Nome. E. W. Nelson. 44401. Plate [23], tig. 1.

Diui.i. now. Cape Nome. (E. W. Nelscm. f) 41464. I nteroating from the fact that
both alopeaof the uiuler surface bear rowi^of umiaks, some with meats and some
without, so ]tlaccd as to suggest ornamentation rather than an attempt to record
historic or other information.

Upon the upper side the entire length is also divided l>y u median line. Upon
either side the apace is tilled with various figures, such as camp scenes, dancea,
and various avocations.

The H)>ecimen is rather yellow with age, and the tigurea ]»artly tilled with a
brownish black substance.

DitlM. now. Cape Nome. E. W. Nelson. 4446.'>. A yellow, old, piece of ivory,
with a sharp-lined series of small figures at the end uptm tho upp(>r edge of
the bow. There are five swimming seals, rather ('(mveiitional in outline, above
which three birds are seen in the forms of small cross like characters. Before
these is a tiguro resembling a bear( f ) and still farther forward a seal.

Duii.l. now. Cape Nome. E. W. Nelson. 444t!B. Tlate 24, lig. 4.

Dm i.i. now. Cape Nome. ( E. W. Turner. ) 444«i7. The herd of deer upon the upper
curvv> of this specimen is shown as a text figure. The lower side, and the edges
also, bear camp sct^nes, while various human figures in attitudes of geature are
ahown on the side.

Kantag handle. Sledge Island. E. W. Nelson. 44690.

Hag IIANDI.K. Sledge Island, p]. VV. Nelson. 446JU.

IUg IIANDI.K. Sledge Island. E. W. Nelson. 44716. Measures but 6} inches in
length, and bears upon the to]> some conventional "trident" tree tigurea, e^f^h
placed alternately facing, between parallel longitudinal lines.

Kantag handlk. Sledge Island. E. \V. Nelson. 44717.

DriM' now. Sledge Island. E.W.Nelson. 45016. Parts of this are reproduced
in text figure. The lines are sharp and cleanly Micised. One pecularity in the
figures of humau beings on records from Sledge Island is that the heads are all,
or nearly all, made by boring Avith drill. One side of another face bears an
umiak with harpooned whale, following a neatly eng-aved white umiak con-
taining 3 figures.

Tho under side beara some obscene figures, or rather those made obscene by
gesture and additional drawings.

Drill now. Sledge Island. E. W. Nelson. 45017. The figures of a series of hab-
itations, boats on racks, and umiaks afloat, are all neatly and definitely incised.
Upou the reverse is a settlement of two winter haliitations and one scaffold,
the five human figures being portrayed with hands and anna elevated, slightly
inclined toward the left end of the bow, seemingly as if some further portion of
a record had been contemplated but not executed. The color employed in fill-
ing the incision is black, and the entire specimen, and engravings, has a modem
appearance.

■U

GRAPHIC ART OP THE ESKIMOS.

963

int iuid

I ropto-

nen has
Ojlhwa

ring m
icorated.
1 typicul
be spec i-

leasnriiig
r an inch
itiiikH are
rat kniiik,
wobserv-

) fact that
i and Honie
i t<» record

ne. I'pon
OB, dances,

Ited with a

e of ivory,
)(!r edjjo «''
line, ab<ive
ra. Before

the upptr
^l the edges
restnre are

inches in
;ureB, eP'^h

reproinced
Lrity in the
lids arc all,
|u hears an
limiak con-
obscene by

lies of hab-
My incised.
Ve scaffold,
[d, slightly
■ portion of
lyed in fiU-
Is a modem

DlilM. now OF lioim. Mledge Islnnd. K.W. Nelson. 4.'i018.

Dbii.i. bow. Sledge Inland. K. W. NelHon(r). 45010. The decorations on this
interesting specimen are reproduced in text tignrc. The work is characteristic,
the dancers only reacnilding tlie deeply engraved lignrcs imimlly found on the
apecimens from Kot/ebue Sound.

DltlM. now. Sledue laland. K. W. N'elNon. 454)20. TIiIm old apeciuicn preaents a
whaling fleet. Kpon the reverse is » ^roup of nativea fialiing thmugh the ire,
near by bring their reaidenre, granary, and votive otlVriuKa stuck up upon the
entrance to the lioiiae.

Diili.i, now. Sledge laland. K.W. Nelson. 4r>()25. rpjior side alightly rounded,
while the bottom ia divi<le<l in two aidea or facea. All tlieae are decorated with
sharp, tine linea, characteristic of Cape .Noiue workmanaliip. The specimen in
very yellow and haa ait ol«l appearance, cliiotly because of the ai^iis of long-
continued nae.

Kantao ilANin.K. Sledge laland. K. W. Nelson. i'AM,

Duil.l, now. Cape Nome. K.W.Nelson. i't'.VM).

Ditii.r^ HOW. Cape Nouie. E.W.Nelson. 4.');W1. An ohl ]>iecc of ivory with cnar*
acteriatic engravin^'h. The tyjte ia recognized, if any special ilitferencc may bo
said to exist between this and other localities, by the thin, though aharply
inciaed, linea and brown-black color ap]ilie(l to bring <nit the cavities. A great
deal of geaticnlati<m is ahvaya represented in connection with the ])ortrayal of
the human figure.

One of the two u|)per faces haa upon it a herd of reindeer, the other face a seal
hunt, while the bottom haa the drawings of liuildings anil storehoiiacs for food.

Dkim. HOW. Cape Nome. K. W. Nelson. l't'XV2. A triangular aliuhtly curved bow,
m inches in length. The specimen is yellow from .ige and beara the delicate
hair-like inciaiima or engravinga characteristic of the locality from which it
came. Oesturea are frci|uently indicated, though the chief features of the bow
refer to reindeer and walrus hunting. At one en<l is a danci>, the pertbrmers
lieiug drawn in various attitudes.

On the under side are the tine lines portraying two kaiakn approaching one
another, the occupants holding aloft their jiaddles, while between them are two
seals. A little farther toward one side is an niiiiak with live occupants, whose
heads and faces resemble birds' heads with long sharp billa.

Diui.i, HOW. Cajio Nome. K. W. Nelson. l.'i.'lIW.

IHiiM. HOW. Cajie Nome. E. W. Nelson. 45;i45. Hears herds of reindeer, some
browsing, while others are in various attitudes u|>on the ground. The under
side bears a herd of reindeer approaching a hunter. At the right end are two
beara, ap]>arently a mother with its cub.
liii.l. BOW. Cape Nome. E. W. Nelson. 4.")346. Some of these etchin^jH embody
gesture signs, and arc rejtrodnced in connection with that subject.

Drim. now. Port Clarence. W. H. Dall. IH0r)6. Made of a rib, is almost 12 inches
across from tip to tip, and retains a thong of leather for drilling purjuises.
There are no decorations of any dca(Ti]»tion.

Drill bow. Fort Anderson. R. MacFarlane. A rounded bow 11.4 inches long,
resembling the preceding in smuothncsa and absence of tlecoration.

Ukill how. Golovin Bay. E. W. Nelson. 48080. A specimen yellow with age.
No decorations ajtpear with the exception of two parallel lines on both the njtper
and lower surfaces. The handle has been much worn by long-continued u.se.

Drill BOW. Cape Darby. E.W.Nelson. 48115. An old-looking yellow specimen,
npon which is the whale being dragged from the water and cut up, shown in
plate 07, fig. 3.

The opposite side has the ceremonial dance, and drummer from whose instru-
ment the sound is represented as going out over the group of dancers. Plate
72, fig. 2.

Kantag handle. Cape Darby. E. W. Nelson. 48137.

•1-] •

964

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1«9B.

'! i

v\^

■ f

I ) I

1 •

* 1

lit V ! i"i-

1«i i

A dark yelltiw np«oimen,
A goml liarptMin line iiihI

Prim. now. Kotzebue Sound. K. W. NolMm. 4851N.
criidtdy and lioavily enKraved with Hhip, walriiN, <^tf,
efl'flct of (tiiHt Ih nhown.

Ditii.i, now. Cape Nome. K. W. Nvlnon. 4MH3(). HettrH nolid liord of reinde«<r
nearly !< inchon Umg, while on utiier Hide are reindi-er, and men making; Krntureti

Ditll.l. HOW. Kot/.<>hiio HoMiid. K. W. NelHon. 18.'>1!*. An old and v«Ty yellow
Hperinion of ivory. Four nidea of the pit'co are derorated with Hoveral diHtiiirt
ntyleH of rccordH. The upper or convt^x aide beam the deeply engraved IlKiireH
of whaling ahipH foreHhortened, and liahitatioiiH, |irolial)ly indirutinK aonie
tratlor'H eNtahliHhnient. On one Hide \h a native, drawn len^thwiHe, next to him
being portrayed a rack with meat (liHh) Niispended, while next to thiM Ih a not
atretfhed out tor drying.

The next characterH renemble the iMirvod parallel line^ iiHed by the I'nehlo
tribeH and the OJibwa to denote the nky, beneath which are parallel vertical
lineH running down to the bano or ground line, roHembling the Hynib<d for rain.
The preHent iiuureH are bilioved, however, to denote the aurora borealiH, a like
flgure having been drawn for the prcnent writer by NaomoD' and verified by a
Malaniut F.Hkinio in ('alit'ornia at the Hanio time when the inveMtigationn were
made at the muHeunt of the Alaska ('onimerrial Company.

A very rudely drawn lignro of a winter habitati<ni, with Huioke iHHuing from
the top, Ih shown next toward the right, the end of the ro<l bearing smaller iig-
ureH of footl rark, hutH, ete.

T\n> under Hide of the rod bears, at the left, two dog HietlgeH lieiiig dragged
forward, and preceded by nine natives running toward a largo winter habita-
tion. ThoHo nativeH are in various attitudiH to reprenent locomotion, and each
has a projection upon the head, as if ornamented with a plume, though it may
represent the top of the furred hood.

The engraving is generally deep, and characteristic of the locality from whence
it was obtained.

Diui.i- HOW. Kotxebue Sound. K. VV. Nelson. 48.520.

DitlLi, HOW. Kotzebue Sound. K. W. Nelson. 48.')21.

Dkim. HOW. Kot/ebue Sound. E. W. Nelson. 48522. A dark yellow Hpocimen,
apparently very old, and engraved on three sideH. Figs. — are from this piece.
All the engravings are deeply cut and blackenotl. One side bears 15 sealH, 14 of
which are b<'ing dragged, the entire Hcries resembling an attempt at decorative
results rather than historic.

Dnii.i. HOW. Kotzebue Sound. K. W. Nelson. 48524.

Dkili. HOW. Norton Sound. K. \V. Nelson. 48.')25. This bow is tinged with age,
and is of a decided orange along one side. Parts of the engni vings, which cover
the four sides, have been reproduced in pl.ite 22, fig. 3. Many parts of Home of
the engravings have become so worn by long-(;ontinued use as to be too indistinct
to admit of interpretation. The figures are, on the whole, rather deeply and
boldly incised, and show a marked likeness to the rest of the work from the
locality where it was evidently made.

The coloring matter in the incisions has assumed a deep brown color, as if the
original black had become covered or replaced by dirt or greast;.

DniLL HOW. Kotzebue Sound. E. W. Nelson. 48526. Very deep and strong
engravings on old ivory.

Drii.i., OK iiANOLK. Kotzebue Sonnd. E. W. Nelson. 48527. This old stained
piece bears upon the two upper sides a number of animal forms, one row being
a series of six reindeer, together with several seals and whales. A native in his
kaiak is represented with his arms uplifted, and probably the lingers were drawn
spread, nse of specimen having worn the surface smooth.

One underside has a long row of ten wolves and one reindeer, faced by a
hunter Hbooting an arrow, who is accompanied by two other hunters and a dog.
The other side shows a whale hunt and a walruH and bear hunt, the two hunt-
ing scenes being divided by a narrow vertical line bearing delicate cross-
hatchings, and denotes the partition of the two.

OUAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOH.

1)66

i«oiinen,
Un« M\A

reliulewr
i^cntureii
y yellow

«UH«llHt

4 llmiruH
il)^ Hoiiie
\t to him

[H Ih n not

ho I'noblo
el vertical
(1 lor rain.

ftllH, IV liko

rllud hy ft
ktionB were

HuiiiK from
smaller I'lR-

nH (IrivgKe'^
nt«Mliii»titft-
)H, and vAc\\
mgh it nmy

from whence

Kpccimen,

this pioce.

15 sealH, l-l "f

it decorative

led with age,
which cover
[ts of Bome of
loo indistinct
[r deeply and
lirk from the

|>lor, as if the

and strong

old stained
Ine row l)eing
1 native in his
Is were drawn

Ir, faced by a
Irs and a dog.
Iho two hnnt-
Llicate cross-

DlULMiuw. Kot/.«>huo Sound. K. W. NeUon. 4Hr>-'H. I'latu 21.', tig. 2.

Dhiix how. Kot/chiie Suiunl. 10. W. NeUun. 48.*>27.

Dkii.i. n«»w. Kot/ebiie ."^oiiud. K. W. Nelmin. IWkU). K|M>ciiiion dtM<|> yellow with
age autl use. 'I'he charuuterH are deeply iuoiHed and reMrmtent \ery heavy-
bodied reindeer. Iloth siden are decorated.

Dkim. huw. Kotzebue Hound. K. W. N'elHon. iXt'M. I'lute I'l, lig. 1.

WoUK iiAt) KAHTKNKK. Sahotniiky. K. W. .Nelson. l8!Ni4i. Made «if a three^sided
piece of ivory in which the corners have been roiindetl and HUiootlieil. The
ornanientationH are sets of cross-lines, to the center of which are short liiteriil
Hbes, and between each such transverse set are snuill black spots an«l crosses.

Dm I.I. BOW. Hothaiii Inlet. K. \V. Nelson. (>ll.*i,'{. A piece originally almost stpiare,
but by perforating at the ends, from beneath, the specimen was r^plit vertically.
Both sitles are ornamented, however, one side with but a few scratches, while
the other has a very interesting whale and walrus hunt.

l)iui.i. HOW. liothum Inlet. K. W. Nelson. tS-llIt^. An old specimen with four
sides crudely engraved, .shooting with firearms, dragging seals, etc., comjirises
the subjects jiortrayed. Three whale's flukes are also erected, to denote that
animal, while a dog sletlge, with very rude drawing of the dog.

Diui.i. now. Diomede Island. K. W. Nelson. (kUi^l. Only \) iiiirhes long and
averages one-fourth of an inch si|uare; yet the four sides are ornamented;
three have lateral longitudinal border lines, Itetween which are recorded numer-
ous llgnreN of umiaks after walrus and a ceremonial «lance with one drummer.
On another side is a village, showing summer habitatiims or conical houses,
near meat racks, some boats, etc. The under side bears several iinimal forms,
and two mythic tigures resembling the water monster, i. e., an elongateil four-
footed and horned or crested serj>ent, referred to by NaoiuotV in connection with
lig. 1:^9, 0.

Dkili. BOW. Diomede Island. K. W. Nelson. tilUi^ll. Divrk ,\ ellosv or light brown
|)iece of ivory. The four engraved sides are shown in tt xt tigures.

KANTA(i iiANDi.K. I'oiiit Ilope. K. \V. Nelsou. »W8()1.

DliiLL now. Point Mope. 10. \V. Nelsju. (i.'WOL'. Very t;rude though deeply incised
line, composing animals, etc., is shown on rather white ivory. An interesting
whale hunt is shown ; the tlukes appear like «letached deco' ttive ones, attached
to the rear end of bodies.

Flukes are also shown at one place; while a native crawling along on his
stomach, to approach seals, is also engraved.
Upon the top edge are four birds, four ditl'erent forms of representing them.

Ba«) iiANDLK. Point Hope. E.W.Nelson. 6;iX03. The undersurfaee of this stained
old specimen bears the tigures of eleven outstretche«l hides, at the right being
a human figure. Upon the top face is some linear dec«)ration, while near the
middle of the specimen are tigures of four reindeer, facing to the right. Portions
of the figures are with«>ut the brown-black stain, the legs being slender and
the hoofs indicated by minute etchings made by a sharp-pointed graver.

Upon the outer curve are a number of nucleateil rings, 33 in number, and
each three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The under side bears a median
line, upon which are ])ortrayed, in various attitudes, nine reindeer. The tigures
are rather deeply incised and very black. The coloring matter in several ]>laces
has fallen out, as if it had become hard or dry.

Bag handlb. Point Hope. E. VV. Nelsou. 63809.

Bow OK HANDLK. "Chilcat." J. J. McLean. 67904. An almost square, slightly
curved specimen, with engravings on all sides excepting the under or concave
one. The top or convex surface bears, among other objects, a large umiak, the
four occupants of which are indicated by the heads, arms, and paddles only, the
vertical body line being jmrposely omitted or forgotten. Some conventional
trees are used as ornamental markings. The sides hear seal hunts, and most of
the records have been reproduced in the text.

^Vj;

966

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Each HuUt in ornamented by two (l«!cj»ly incised grooves, one at either edjje of
the fae^H of the bow, and the eu^ravingH are deeply and forcildy made, all being
filled in with black.

Though inarktMl iih from "Chilcat," the H])e('inieu has the characteriHtic appear-
ance of the work done by the natives of Norton Hound.

BMi iiANDLK. I'oint Barrow. Lieutenant 1'. H. Kay, I'. H. A. 89420. Measures
14^ inches in length, the upper surface being rather flat, while the under side is
rounded or convex. Upon the upper surface are twelve reindeer, one behind the
other and facing the left, while at the extreme right is a man holding a bow
drawn, l)ut no arrow iii(licate<l ; while at the extreme right is a figure resembling
an outstretcheil bearskin. The engravings are strongly incisc<l and greatly
resemble those made at Norton Hound and Kotzebue Hound. There is no coloring
matter in any ])la('e, and it is lieliev«!d that the work was not made by Point
Harrow natives, but secured by them by trattic or otherwise from some locality
farther south and west tiian Point Marrow.

The arrangement of the reindeer, the Jipparent similarity in all respects, and
their regular spacing — between the tigures — suggests that, although the record
seems to l)e intended for a hunting score, it was also made with a view to pre-
senting an ornamental and decorative api)earanc<«.

DuiLi. HOW. Point Harrow. Lieutenant P. H. Kay, 1. S. A. 89424. Plate 3, tig. 4.

Honk nuiLi. now. Point Harrow. Lieutenant 1'. II. Kay, U. S. A. 89r)08. Madeof
a rib, measurers 12^ inches across from point to point, and is rather rudely made.
Hears no decoration.

DuiLi. BOW. Point Harrow. Lieutenant P. II. Ray, U. S. A. 89777. Hears a ver-
ti<al line with radiating lines from one side only. The ivory is pieced near one
end to lengthen the bow; the coloring matter is i»ale, but consisted of a reddish
substance resembling red ocher.

Duii.i. HOW. St. Michaels. I,. M. Turner. 129223. Ornamented cm lower side by a
'".solid" herd of reindeer, wolves, 8<ials, walrus, and other animals. The inci-
sions are deeply cut and are left uncolored, appearing light yellowish gray as
compared with the dark surrounding sniface. Made of reindeer Imrn.

Dkii.i. how. Location not given. M. M. Ilazen. ir)407L Whaling ships in pur-
suit of whales and a walrus. An Innuit village is at the right. On the other
side are very dee]dy engraved figures of habitations, umiaks on scaffold, etc.
The character of work resembles that of Kotzebue Sound.

MISCELLANEOrS AND VARIED SPECIMENS.

The following iire iniscellaiieous .specimons, embracing tools, iin]v^-
nients, uten.sils, toys, etc., all of which are variously marked with ett^h-
ings of animals, villages, oi'cupations, and in many instances only With
lines, dots, and circles, to illustrate the application of such tigures 'for
the purpose of simple ornamentation.

Plate 17, fig. 2.
74r)4.

"Colli) lU'TTON." Intrusive carving.

Haw. Anderson Kiver. C.P. Uaudet. [1304.]

Bonk toy. Yukon River. W. H. Dall. "WilO.

Ivory si.ah. Fort Anderson. K. MacFarlane.

Belt ci.asi-. Eskimo Innuit. \V. II. Dall. 1G140.

Pendant iok kak. Nuuivak. E. W. Nelson. 1()199. Magemut ear pendant of

ivory, marked with spiral line from one end, around the body to the other

extremity.
Round BOX. Norton Sound. L.M.Turner. 24352. Plate 34, fig. 3.
IvouYCASKKT. Ht. Michaels. L.M.Turner. 24606. Plate 25, fig. 1.
Spkar straioutkner. Kowak River. Lieutenant Stoney. 27893.

"II

Till
To(

IVi

Till
Haj

sciti

TobI

GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS.

967

lj;« of
\)eing

ppear-

• 8i«le 19
lind tlie
r a^o*^

greiitly
coloring
lay Point
s locality

)ect9, and
ib« record
BW to pre-

ite3, t\g.4.
(. Made of
dely made.

Sears a vet-
ed near one
of a rcddi»l>

iver Bide l»y J^
The inci-
.visU gray hh
rn.

On tbe otlier
scaffold, etc.

«ol8, imi:)^-
\ with etyU-
ss only With
iiguies tor

Lr pendant of
to the other

Hook. Location not given. L. M. Turner. 29618.

Thimble iioldku. Norton Sound. L. M. Turner. 2Jt731.

WooDKN BOX. Norton Sound. E.W.Nelson. 33077, Plate 34, lig. 2.

Bodkin. Norton Sound. E.W. Nelson. 33176. Plate 24, lig. 5.

Bodkin. Norton Sound. E.W. Nelson. 33177. Plate 24, tig. 6.

Snikk BOX. Norton Sound. E.W. Nelson. 33197.

Bone icK (JUAUi). Norton .Sound. K.W.Nelson. 3321J). Used to put over bow of

kuiuk to keep off i<e, or injury to vessel. Plate 41, lig. 3.
Bodkin. Norton Sound. E.W.Nelson. 33257.
Di{A4i iiANDi.K. Norton Sound. K. W. Nelson, 33292.

E. \V. Nelson. 33301>.
E.W.Nelson. 33310.
K.W.Nelson. 33311.
E. W. Nelson. 33312.
E. W. Nelson. 33315.
E. W. Nelson.
E. W. Nelson.

Bow .STKKNliTllKNKH.
Bow 8TKEN(iTIIENP:R.
Bow .STKEX(iTHENr.l{.
Bow HTKENOTIIKNEH.
OkNAMENTED BONE.

Beavek cauvei) of uonk.

BeLUOA CAUVEI) OV HONK.

Norton Sound.
Norton Sound.
Norton Sound.
Norton Sound.
Norton Sound.

Norton .Sound.
Norton Sound.

Plate 14, fig. 5.

Plate 14, lig. 7.

Plate 14. fig. 4.

Plate 14, tig. 6.
Plate 14, lig. 1.
3335»5.
33373.

36011.
.361.52.

Eau PENDANTS. St. Mifbaels. E.W.Nelson. 33491.

Gravuno. Norton Sound. E. W. Nelson. .33535.

Bone oknamext. St. Micbaels. * .33640.

Carvino. Aleutian Islands. L. M. Turner. 3.5900.

SllUTTLK. Aleutian Islands. Ij. M. Turner. 3590X.

Earring iioi.dki!. Agaiynkchuguniut. E. W. Nelson.

Seine thimble holder. Knsliunuk. E. W. Nelson.

Ivory ornament. Kushkunnk. E. W. Nelson. 36-177.

Earrings. Askenuk. K.W.Nelson. 3»586l.

Hair ORNAMKNT. Kushunuk. E.W. Nelson. 37003. Pig. 3 of plate 42, and hears

diagonal cross lines at toj), and two concentrii' rings at ty.uh lower lol)e.
Ivory bl'cklk. Agaiyiikchuguinut. K.W.Nelson. 37(H)7.
"Handle." Cbalitinut. E.W.Nelson. 37319.
Carved ornament. Anogoguinut. E. W. Nelson. 37431.
Speak GUARD. Anogoguinut. E. W. Nelson. 37161.
C'ARVlNii OF .SEAL. I'nulakleet. E. W. Nelson. 37tilO.
Implement. Konigunogumnt. E.W.Nelson. 376(;4.
Bodkin. Cbalitinut. E. W. Nelson. 377.52. An ivory ban<llo with steel point and

ivory links. Ornamented with concentric rings and liower symbols. Plate 41,

tig. 6.
Spear (iiTARD. Cbalitinut. E.W.Nelson. 37759.
Be. kle. Kongigunoguiiiut. E. W. Nelson. 37763.
E' PENDANTS. Spngunuguinnt. E.W.Nelson. 3X0.52.
Bo E SEINE NEEDLE. Lower Vukou. E.W.Nelson. .'K^IS.
Hai.poon head. Shaktolik. 38440.
BoyE SEINE NEEDLE. Fort Yukou.
Hai ornament. Kushunuk. E.W,
" Hunting tally." Point Barrow.

.58, tig. 1.
Thimble guard. St. Michaels. E. W. Nelson. 13459. Plate I'.o, lig. 1.
Toy FISH. Captf Vancouver. E.W.Nelson. 43593. Bone lish 1* imlies in length,

llattened with pictograph of wolf (?) and trident figure, also other ornament

upon upper side, with huniau ligure below.
Ivory wedge. Nunevak Island. K. W. Nelson. 43738.
Thimble guard. Unalakleet. E. W. Nelson. 43861. Plate 35, li^. 6.
Harpoon head. "Alaska." E. W. Nelson. 43949.
ScRAPKR. Cape Darby. E. W. Nelson. 44180.
Wooden box. Cape Nome. E. W. Nelson. 44457.
Tobacco box. Sledge Island. E. W. Nelson. 44766.

K.W.Nelson. 38.501.
Nelson. 3H720.
Lieutenant P. 11. Hav,

IJ. S. A. 891H7. Plate

U I

li:

968

REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895.

Ivory gambling sticks. 81edge Island. E. W. NelHoii. 45006. These have very
thin lines eugraved upon them, not with any reference to the value of the sticks,
but made probably during an interval of idleness to wliilu away time. Tlie
characters represent rudely and carelo"^ drawn habitations, while in one
instance they are the outlines of human pigmies.

CicBASER. Sledge Island. E. \V. Nelson. 45140.

Saw. Port Clarence. T. H. Bean. 46145. Plate 17, tig. 1.

Comb. Cape Printe of Wales. E. W. Nelson. 48174.

Wedge. Nnnevak Island. E.W.Nelson. 48289. Ivory '-splitter or wedge" for
splitting small pieceu of wood.

FuNGi!S ASfi BOX. Kotzebne Sound. E. W. Nelson. 48558.

Netting shuttle. Lower Yukon. E. W. Nelson. 48715.

Carving ok flol'NDEU. Unalakleet. E. W. Nelson. 43786.

Ivory koi>. Kotzebuo Sound. E. W. Nelson. 48532. This specimen is pointed at
one end and has iterforation at the other. Three tsides are decorated in deep
black stained characters of various marine animals. The spaces between some
of the objects are tilled in with nucleated circles.

Effigy of seal. Kotzebue Sound. ( ?) 48642.

Ornament. Bristol Bay. C. L. McKay. 55909. Effigy of seal, with rings and
bristles inserted by means of pegs.

Ivory fish. Point Barrow. liieutenaut P. H. Ray, U. S. A. .56578.

Thread cask. [Locality?) Lieutenant P. H. Kay, U. S. A. 56615.

"Mouthpiece.'' Diomede Islands. E.W. Nelson. 63666.

"Mouthpiece." Diomede Islands. E.W.Nelson. 63667.

Box for snuff. Hothum Inlet. E. W. Nelson. 64186.

Effigy of walrus. Nashagak. E. L. McKay. 72904.

House HOOK. Alaska (?). C. L. McKay. 73034.

" Bone skin dresser.'' Sitka. John J. McLean. 74954.

Arrow straightener. Kowak River. Lieutenant G.M. Stoney, U.S. N. 127893.

Powder horn. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 129221.

Pictograph on bone. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 129277.

Ornamented ivory rod. St. Michaels. L. M. Turner. 129284.

Thimble Holder. St. Michaels. E. W. Nelson. 129314.

Money box of bone. Hupa Islands. .1. Curtln. 131159.

Ivory pendant. Nunevak Island. E. W. Turner. 16199.

Bone skin DRKSSER. Thliugit Islands. Lieutenant G!. F. Emmons, U. S.N. 1()8358.

Bone skin dresser. Thlingit Islands. Lieutenant G. F. Emmons, U. S. N. 168360.

Bone ornaments. Thlinkit. Lieutenant G. F. Emmons, U. S. N. 168372.

Dagger sheath. Tangier, Morocco. Lieutenant A. P. Niblack, U. S. N. 168827.
Plate 44.

ave very
le sticks,
me. The
e in uue

Mlge" for

pointed at
>d in deep
weeu sowe

rin^s and

N. 127893.

N. 1(58358.

,N. 168360.
2.

N. 168827.

1:^

-i

.'■ ' 1