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necessity, in their struggle for existence, had compelled them to
originate. When compared with the ordinary course of
development of the lower races, as shown by the history of culture,
such transformation must be regarded as having been of a
somewhat sudden character. From having been the natives of
sylvan districts, they had to become a people that may be said
to shun the forests, and content themselves with the most
barren and ice clad shores in existence. Their only means of
sustenance was to be found in the marine animals, the seals
and the whales, whose peculiar covering of fat (blubber) while
affording them food, could at the same time furnish them with
fuel and light, sufficient to the requirements of the severest
climate hitherto known. But in respect to the capture of these
animals instruments had to be devised which have, from their
ingenuity and workmanship, gained the admiration of the civilised
world. First they had to exchange the birch-bark canoe, adapted
to lakes and rivers, for the kayak fitted to brave the waves of
the ocean. Thus there can be but little doubt as to the nature
of the objects which gave rise to the formation of new words,
or expressions, by people subjected to such an entire change
of life as mentioned.
THE ARCTIC CULTURE HOME. The vast extent of territory
over which the Eskimo race is spread has often been the
subject of discussion. It will be sufficient here to repeat that
it comprises the littoral and islands of America north of a line
extending from East to West and varying from 56° to 60° N.
latitude, including Greenland and a portion of the N. E. corner
of Siberia. The inhabitants of the opposite ends of this
territory, to the E. in Greenland and Labrador, and to the W. in
Siberia and Southern Alaska, in order to visit each other would
have to travel more than 5000 miles by their ordinary means
of conveyance, skinboats and sledges. In order to obtain a
comprehensive view of the populations which lie scattered in
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