Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-24
RIUIES OF ALASKA.


 the Arctic Circle.
 Correspondence of the San Francisco Chronicle.]
 In previously published works this race has been denominated as the word s'Innuit." 7" This nomenclature arose from the incompe- tence of the interpreters. "Innuit" means smen," being the plural of innuk, 'man." These people have no name as a race, but designate themselves "Mutes," which, literal ly translated, means ia dweller at or upon" For instance, 0 native born at the village on Point Hope (Tigerach) is 8 Tigerach mute; one born at Point Barrow is a Noo-wuk mute, and so on, deriving their classification from the place of nativity. This is some what similar to our custom of saying a New Yorker, native of the Empire City, San Franciscan or Bostonian.
 The popular idea prevails that these peo- pie resemble those living on the eastern shores of the Arctic ocean and Greenland, but while on the Greenland side the stature of the natives is small, upon the 4 Alaskan side numerous measurements taken by me of both sexes show an average height in the males of five feet eight inches and in the fe males of five feet four inches. There are many men, and women too, especially at Point Barrow and Point Hope, that measure nearly six feet, and all well proportioned. In their facial characteristics these people partake of the Mongolian type. Examina- tion of skulls and living persons shows the high, prominent cheek bones,' the oblique shaped eye setting, the elongated nostrils and straight coarse, black hair of the Asia tic race. By reason of their hardy life their limbs are of a strong mold. The only mal formation that observed among them was a tendency in the knees and feet to bend in ward. More especially is this to be noticed in the women, circumstance l attribute to their carrying heavy weights upon the lower portion of the spine, while the uneven sur face of the ground forbids walking in any level manner. Another reason for this nal formation is the length of time these people are confined to their boats when travelling along the coast. Throughout the entire ter ritory of Alaska and the Aleutian islands it is very rare to see native of either sex ex hibiting perfect upright carriage. The Aleuts at the Seal Islands and Oonalaska, both males and females, resemble in their walk the waddle of duck.
 Physically these Mutes are very strong, their powers of endurance are great, and as a sequence to the sole aim of their existence, l. G., to obtain food, their powers of obser- vation and acuteness in hunting, both on land and sea, are strongly developed. Were it not for the thick layers of dirt covering their skin the complexion of these peoples would be almost white. Until old age comes on their teeth are we'll shaped and sound; their eyes of deep brown hue, bright and sparkling and extremely expressive. Many cases of marked good looks be seen among them, while intelligent and pleasing manners are general characteristics. The family relations existing between these peo- pie are somewhat difficult to determine. This arises from the fact that when a man takes wife he may retain her as long as he pleases, or she may leave him and obtain an- other protector. Instances where the wo- man never leaves her first protector are rare
 While the mother is always the first to be consulted before any marital arrangements are entered upon, journey undertaken, or trading engaged in, the fathers final assent is the one to be obtained. But living as these Mutes do in community, each ones af- fairs become his neighbours, and everyone has something to say in another's affairs Garrulity is prominent trait among the women, who quite on a par with their civilized sisters in re ailing gossip and scan dal When a man desires to become pos sessed of girl to share his fortunes over lures are made to her parents and herself. Should acouieseence be obtained presents ot skins and food are made to the girls parents and she becomes his spouse Such emotions as love, tenderness or endearment are un- known; the woman is simply regarded as worker, to sew and cook and bear children. Unless she by force of character obtains some influence over the man her lot is anything but enviable. Upon the least fit of anger upon his part cuffs, blows and kicks are showered upon her, but these do not cre- ate much astonishment in the village, simply forming theme of gossip among the old women.
 A belief in the presence of evil spirits constitutes the only religious ideas among the Mutes. There are among them indivldu- als called toonrachs, corresponding to the shaman of the Siberian tribes. If person is sick before the whaling season commences, or child is born before going on journey or building house, the services of the sha- man is called in requisition. The modus op- erandi in every case is very similar. The after long spell of silenc sud- denly begins to roll his eyes, convulsive shakes pervade his frame, and he gives ut terance to various groans and sighs inter- mingled with sentences pertaining to the subject upon which he is engaged. During the time of his performance a continuous beating upon drum is kept up. Toward the end paroAysms, or rather convuis1ons Of exaltation similar to what have been de scribed as prevailing at the finale of a Sha- ker meeting, are exhibited by the shaman Froth exudes from his mouth, his eyes glare and roll and his whole frame is contorted. pours from his face and he is entirely exhausted. The loud invocations to the evil spirits to vacate the body ot the SICK person, or to drive them away from the sea to enable the whales or seals to arrive, be- come gradually subdued, dying away into incoherent mutterings. Then after q while he regains his c1mposure, complacently smokes his pipe and receives his pay for ser vices performed. If the operation is per formed over a sick person and recovery does not ensue the payment made is returned, a custom that might be advantageously adopt ed among civilized persons
 Some curious superstitions are also to be