Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-01
their habits than the Tcboutohes Of
Siberia.
cr.orTrrp IN sNrvs.

pally from the skin OF the reindeer,
The undergarrnents from the skin Of the
4 younger ones: trousers, overshirts
/ gcosts). aud socks from the skin Of the
older ones; boots are made from the
tougher skin Of the legs, aud somc-
times trousers from the same. The
( shirt in shape resembles that worn by
the white man. but no buttons or fast,
cnings are used, hole being cut IN the
\ upper part just large enough to admit
/ the head, 70 which is sewed hood
to be worn in cold weather. The
overshiTt coat is made long. reach
4 ing 10 the knees, and ornamented and
trimmed with long hairs OF various
animals. Some Of the coats are made
1 from inferior furs (such as ground
SQUIRREL and skins Of waterfowl. DC.
These are very light and worn only in
summer. Lighter trousers are also
made for summer wear from the skins
Of seals, those Of the younger and
smaller ones being preferred. Both
drawers and trousers are confined at
the waist by cord. Except during
rainy weather the coat and trousers are
worn with the hairy side out, hut with
the underclothing the hair is worn next
TO the body. The socks and boots are very
similar IN shape, the latter having thick
sole made from the skin Of the walrus
or large seal. The boots for summer
are made from seal-skik entirely, the
hair being removed in tanning. The
legs are long-never below the knee.
and sometimes extending below the
waist. They arc waterproof. but not
warm. During snow.storms OF drift
al overall is worn 10 keep the snow out
Of the hair, which is very essential 70
the preservation OF the reindeer-skin
garments. These overalls are made
from the entrails Of seals, buckskin,
drilling. and calico, the latter being
preferred when obtainsble. Straw Is
placed in the bottom Of the boots for
warmth and 10 give soft footing for
the weareT.
The dress OF the women is much
ike that CT the men, the only difference
being slight variation in the pattern
Of the overshirt COAT. Heavy mitts
are made from the reindeer and moose
skins. and occasionally from seal-skins,
and are WON nearly all the time, sum-
mer and winter.
DwELLING-HOUsEs.
4" The native houses are constructed
by sinking q circular hole twelve feet
il diameter to q depth Of three feet into
the ground. Spruce poles, five feet
long. are driven around the side to the
depth OF one foot the bark having
been remoyed). and placed as close to-
gethef as possible. The roof, made Of
the same material, is then put on,
leaving & circular hole Of two feet in
diameter ct the top for the outlet Of
smoke and admission~of light. The
roof Is well dashed by means Of rope
made from the bark Of the spruce.
The entire hut above ground Is then
covered with straw and earth. Tbs
entrance 10 the hut Is subteTranean, q
passage-wsy being dug at an angle Of
about iorty.fve degrees from the ex-
terror OF the hut to the floor, which
passage-way is carefully protected IN
the same manner as the roof.
FOOD SUPPLIES.
These people never want for food.
The country abounds in animals and
game, and the river in fish. Large
numbers Of reindeer are killed, generally
shot. although during winter It quite
frequently happens that many are cap
tuTed by driving them into ravines where
they sink into the deep SHOWS and fall
an easy prey TO the hunters. The fol-
lowing is a list Of animals whose skins
are preserved by the natives-viz. :
Bear ,black, brown, and gray,
moose, fox white, black, red,
cross. and silyer-grsy), marten, sable,
land and water-otter, mink, wolf,
beaver, and lynx. The meats Of all
these animals are used for food, but
great preference Is given to the rein
deer, moose. and bear. The latter are
usually shot the former trapped. The
fish caught are Of many varieties, IN
GLIDING large quantities Of salmon,
vhitehsh, mullet, pike, and sculpin.
The salmon are chiefly caught in Ho-
than inlet or at the mouth of the river
that empties into it; the other fish are
caught In the river. They are mostly
caught in the summer by means Of the
gill-net or speared, the dexterity with
which this is done being something mar
yellous. The pike weigh from seven TO
ten pounds. whitefsh from one to
two pounds. and mullet from three TO
four pounds. In the winter fish are
also taken through the ice by hook and
line. The hook used consists simply
Of fiat piece Of ivory, with sharp
piece Of metal screwed into one end Of
IL at right angles TO the face Of the
ivory. White whales are caught in
Hothsm inlet, and il is regarded by the
natives as great and dangerous feat
TO catch one. Those who are success
ful are looked upon as men Of distinc-
ton. Hair seals are also caught IN
Hotham inlet, but they do not seem TO
90 up the river"