THE CENTRAL ESKIMO, BY DR. FRANZ BOAS.
For the express purpose of personal exploration and examination, the author of this important paper spent a considerable time in the region of which he treats. His course of travel was to Cumberland sound and Davis strait. The grand division of the Eskimauan linguistic family, inhabiting nearly the whole range of the Arctic-American coast, which has been classed as Central Eskimo, occupies the northeastern part of the continent and the eastern islands of the Arctic-American archipelago. It inhabits, at Smith sound, the most northern countries in which man has been known to dwell. Its southern and western boundaries are about Fort Churchill, the middle part of Back river, and the coast west of Adelaide peninsula.
Dr. Boas gives an admirable account of the topography of the region and of the distribution, tribal divisions, and numbers of the inhabitants. His work is replete with valuable statements in minute detail and with acute suggestions regarding their habits and customs. Their peculiar and ingenious weapons, implements, and utensils are fully described and illustrated. His account of their religious practices and beliefs, supplemented by translations of their myths and legends, is equally entertaining and instructive.
In connection with his observations made through original research, Dr. Boas presents the result of a close study and analysis of the work of former explorers in this field, by which his contribution to the study of this interesting hyperborean people will command additional attention.