The Saint Paul globe., 1902-12-29
also valuable because they are similar

also valuable because they are similar
to American Eskimo carvings.
The collection includes also eight
suits of metal armor. One of these is
Enthusiastically Of Japanese make, and,
inasrnuch as it had been in the coun-
try whence it was brought for gener-
ations, it demonstrates that the Asiatic
tribes, which are supposedly related to
our American Indians, at some remote
period had direct communication with
Japan. Moreover, the masks of wood
and grass which are part Of the col
lection are similar to the North Amer
lean Indian masks, and the medicine
mans drums, made of skin, are like
the crude instruments which are now
to be seen among American Indians.
Similarity in Needle Work.
Even in the way of needle work there
is a similarity between these northerly
inland Asiatic tribes and the American
Indians, as anyone will recognize who
sees the rugs which form an artistic
feature of the remarkable collection.
Baskets and other straw articles would
easily be mistaken for the product OF
American Indians.
The 400 drawings made by natives
descriptive of their religion show that
the belief in spirits, which prevails
generally, is in most respects similar
to that Of the North American Indian,
and, like tribes on the other side of
Bering sea, they give the raven credit
for the original creation. Legends in
which the raven plays the central part
were told by Koryaks, on the Asiatic
side, and T1ingits, on the American
side of the dividing sea.
The Chukchee tribe inhabits the
country nearest to the coast land oc-
cupied by the Asiatic Eskimo. Their
territory is about as large as the Ger
man empire, and the people, who live
much like their nearest neighbor, the
Eskimo, resemble the American In
dian as to stature and general ap-
pearance. Their legends and religion
are not like those of the Eskimo, but
have many points in common with
those Of the Indian. Further inland,
inIabiting a tract Of land almost as
large IS that of the Chuckchees. are
the Koryaks, Kereks and the Kam-
cha,dales, with whom the Indian char
aeteristics are still mere noticeable
thaa with the people who live nearer
colored, have straight noses, are tall
and well formed, and their legends, re-
ligien and customs are like those of
the North American Indian. Their
language also bears a striking resem-
blance to the Indian, and is not un-
like that of the Eskimo or the Mongol.
They are fond Of sports, and the young
men amuse themselves by wrestling,
racing, target shooting and spear fight
ing.
Passing of the Cnuvantzis.
Still farther inland the explorers
came to the Yukaghirs and the Chu-
Vantzis, who also resemble the Amer
lean Indians in many respects. Unlike
their neighbors, they do not raise cat
tie or reindeer, and they prefer TO walk,
no matter how great the distance may
be, rather than employ the reindeer.
They are morose, brooding and fierce,
and exceedingly vindietive. Although
they live thousands of miles away from
the coast, the explorers, who studied
their habits and characteristics, think
that they bear a closer resemblance to
the American Indians than any of the
other tribes. The Chuvantzis are rap
idly passing away, but their wise men
speak of the time when "the smoke
from their fires was So great that 1T
blackened the birds in the air.
The anthropelegica1 measurements
and the photographs which were
brought back from this little known
part Of the world were made by the
wife of Mr.. Jochelson. She is med
ical student, and will t,e examined for
a degree when the party returns to
Europe.
The Various Dialects.
Among the noteworthy specimens
brought back by ths Jesup expedition,
arc the 200 photograph records. These
give absolutely certain versions of the