The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-10-03
MISCELLANY.
THE EsoU1MAUx fAbilxs.

It is only within the present century that
the discovery has been made Of these singular
and interesting people, the inhabitants of the
Arctic regions, who appear to be in perfect
state of nature, and subject to all the priya-
tions which can well be imagined. When we
contemplate the situation Of their country,
which presents nothing but an UNMARRIED field
of ice and snow, that has been probably &C.
cumulating since the creation; it is almost in
credible that beings in the human form can
exist in the Winter season, which is very
long.
Z But the Esquimaux dwell In caves under
ground, and do not seem sensible of their des-
olate existence. In the Summer season they
have no regular place, but with their families,
sledges and dogs (which are the only beasts
of draught they make use OF pursue one I'M
limited course Of hunting and fishing. They
are generally obliged to eat their food, con-
sisting of seal and reindeer, in its raw state.
Their canoes are very light and formed OF seal
skin upon a small wooden frame, neatly and
securely fastened together with the sinew of
reindeer their huts and clothing are form
ed of the seal skin, and their bedding of the
reindeer skin. The implements used by them
are skiifully constructed and their experiences
In throwing their darts is surprising.
The Winter habitations of tie Esquimaux
are built of snow, and they are very oomfor-
table dwellings. Having selected spot on
the river, where the snow is about two feet
deep, and sufficiently compact, the Esquimaux
commences by tracing out a circle of twelve
feet in diameter. The snow in the interior of
the circle is next divided with broad knife
having long handle, into slabs, three feet
long, six inches thick and two feet deep, being
the thickness Of the layer of snow. These
slabs are tenacious enough to admit of being
moved without breaking, or even losing the
sharpness of their angles, and they have
slight degree of curvature, corresponding with
that of the circle from which they were cut.
They are then formed into circle, which is
traced out, and care is taken to smooth the
beds Of the different courses with the knife,
and to cut them SO as to give the wall slight
inclination inward, by which contrivance the
building acquires the properties of dome
The dome is closed somewhat Suddenly and
fatty by cutting the other slabs in wedge
form, instead of the more rectangular shape
of those below. The roof &c about eight feet
high, and the last aperture is shut up by a
small conical piece. The whole is built from
within, and each slab is cut SO that it retains
its position without requiring support until
another is placed beside it, the lightness of
the slabs greatly facilitating the operation.
When the building Is covered in, loose
snow is thrown overit, to close up every ciIink,
and low door is cut through the walls with
the knife. A bed-place is next formed, and
neatly faced up with slabs Of snow, which is
then covered with thin layer of pine branch
es, to prevent them from melting by the heat
of the body. At each end Of the bed pillar
of snow is erected to place d lamp upon and,
lastly, porch is built before the door, and
piece of clear ice is placed in an aperture cut
in the wall for window
The purity Of the material of which the
house is framed, the elegance of its construc-
ton and very pleasantlght, give it an appear
ance far superior to marble building, and
one may survey it with feelings somewhat
akin to those produced by the contemplation
of Gretian temple reared by Phidias. Both
are triumphs Of art, inimitable in their kid.