erly be described in the volume devoted to
that part of the globe.
INDIAN WIGWAMS.
Here and there, in openings in the primeval forest, either natural or
artificial, on the banks of streams and lakes, several small conical
structures may be seen, composed of long stakes, stuck in the ground in
circular form, and fastened at the top. The walls consist of large
sheets of birch-bark, layer above layer, fastened to the stakes. On the
lee-side is left a small opening for ingress and egress, which can be
closed by a sheet of bark, or the skin of a wild animal. At the apex,
also, an aperture is allowed to remain for the escape of the smoke from
the fire which burns within. Lines are secured to the stakes within, on
which various articles are suspended; while round the interior mats or
skins are spread to serve as couches, the centre being left free for the
fire. In front, forked stakes support horizontal poles, on which fish
or skins are hung to dry; and against others, sheets of bark are placed
on the weather-side, forming lean-tos, shelters to larger fires, used
for more extensive culinary operations than can be carried on within the
hut. On the shores are seen drawn up beautifully-formed canoes of
birch-bark of various sizes--some sufficient to carry eight or ten men;
and others, in which only one or two people can sit.
APPEARANCE OF THE INDIANS.
Amid the huts may be seen human figures with dull copper or
reddish-brown complexions, clothed in rudely-tanned skins of a yellowish
or white hue, and ornamented with the teeth of animals and coloured
grasses, or worsted and beads. Their figures are tall and slight. They
have black, piercing eyes, slightly inclining downwards towards the
nose, which is broad and large. They have thick, coarse lips, high and
prominent cheek-bones, with somewhat narrow foreheads, and coarse, dark,
glossy hair, without an approach to a curl; their heads sometimes
adorned with feathered caps or other ornaments. Often their faces are
besmeared with various coloured pigments in stripes or patches--one
colour on one side of the face, the other being of a different hue.
Their lower extremities are covered with leggings of leather, ornamented
with fringes, and their feet clothed in mocassins of the same material
as their leggings. The men stalk carelessly about, or repair their
canoes or fishing gear and arms; while the women sit, crouching down to
the ground, bending over their caldrons,
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