Usage and etiquette in the smallest details reign nowhere more power fully than among people in their natural state. Thus, almost everything in the attire of the Indians on Plates 32, 33, 34 has its meaning, which we will here explain, so that our pictures may be more intelligible. The Indians in Plate 33 (fig. 2) and Plate 34 have a wolf's tail on the shoe, which indicates that the bearer has performed some deed of bravery in war. The design in the hair-ornament of Figure 5 (p1. 33) signifies that lie has stabbed an enemy of rank; the split turkey-feather in the same place (comp. pl. 36, fig. 2), that lie has received an arrow-wound in battle; the erect feathers, that he has slain enemies in a hand-to-hand conflict ; those horizontal, that he has killed an enemy in sight of the adverse party; the hand which is painted in yellow color ou his left breast, that he has made many captives.
The spear, which is borne as shown in Figure I (p1. 33), is supplied with a bowstring, and is only ornamental. The handle of the leather whip serves as a whistle. The figure in the background (fig. t) has the very popular breast-ornament of porcupine-quills. The Indians are inex pressibly vain about their finery, but it must be remembered that every particle of it signifies some important event of their lives.
Darilings. —The dwellings of the Eskimos are generally built of stone and wood, sometimes of wood only, or of snow-blocks. They are usually occupied by several families, each having its own fireplace, and also its own sleeping compartment on a wooden platform divided off by skins. During the day they sit on this platform at their work, the women with their legs crossed under them and the men with theirs hanging down (fl. 29, fig. 5). The entrance consists of a low, crooked passage. Through this the fresh air passes into the interior, though sometimes the dwelling apartment has also windows of sealskin. The dwellings and utensils show no cleanliness—generally their hungry dogs are the only cleaners— hut the tents built in summer of poles and hides are neater, and are inhabited by only one family. The interior of such a tent is separated from the entry by an embroidered curtain of sealskin (p1. 29, fig. 6). They have a variety of household goods; provisions are kept in separate small houses. Their chief articles of food are dried fish, seal and reindeer flesh, and they drink only water.
The Aleutians build their houses partly under ground and cover the upper parts with soil and grass (p1. 31, fig. I). Whilst the Eskimo houses are like those of the Pawnees on the upper Platte, the villages of the Kolushes resemble the Cherokee villages on the upper Tennessee. They are constructed of wood, and in front of each house there is a scaffolding for storing goods, drying, etc. (p1. 37, fig. 5). In the interior a bench
along the walls, covered with mats, serves for a sleeping-place. The building of the northern Indians is inferior.
The Mandans erect circular huts formed of poles fastened together at the top and covered with leather or bark. The hut is also provided with a rather long entry (pl. 34; pl. 35; /51. 36, figs. I, 8). This style of hut is widespread. Plate 36 (fig-. 8) contains the plan of one: 11, the wall, of short posts; g, entry; f, leather curtains; d, board wall to prevent draught; c, part for the horses; a, fireplace, over which hangs the kettle, with smoke-hole above; b, pillars united at the top with joists, which carry the roof; e', seats of willow-ware covered with mats; bunk of the family, from which (fl. 35) the whole interior can be overseen. Such huts usually cover from fifty to sixty square feet. They form villages, which are generally located in secure places and fortified with palisades (,61. 36, fig. r). Besides these, the Indians have portable summer tents, which are often covered with brightly-painted leather Gel 37, Jig. I). They have numerous household goods, as everything is kept in the houses. They sleep either on mats or in peculiar leather bunks (p1. 33, fig. 4).
The houses of the barbarous Mexican peoples of North America are arranged as on Plate 43 (fig. I). Our plates also show the South Ameri can dwellings, which are sometimes quite rude and sometimes of good quality (p4 44, figs. 4, 8; fl. 45, Jigs. r, 5): the interior of a pointed hut like Figure 5 (fl. 45) is shown by Figure 4 (fV. 44). Several fam ilies generally occupy each hut. Hammocks are universally used as beds (p1. 44, fig. 4; 45, jig. 1; /51. 48, Jigs. 7, 9). Plate 49 (fig-. 2) exhibits different styles of huts; Plate 45 (fig. 6) and Plate 4S (fig. 9) are the simplest Brazilian forms. The huts of the Goajira Indians (Gulf of Maracaibo) are built on poles, and partly extend over the water (p1. Jitr. 2).
and SHffs.—Their sledges, which are to them in winter what their skiffs are in summer, are made of pieces of wood or bone fastened together by straps and drawn by clogs (p1. 30,fig. 6). During winter they stow away their skiffs on special frames. The skiffs are of two kinds. Sonic, which they call boats for women, are made of framework covered with the hide of the sea-dog, and are capable of holding six or eight per sons (p1. 30, 2); the others, which are called kayaks, are hunting boats, and are about fifteen feet long, though they hold only one person, who sits in a hole in the deck (pl. 30, Jr,;-. r). The men are very skilful both in guiding them and in using their weapons from them.