Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt:...in the Arctic.--It seems strange that anyone should care to live in a region of almost perpetual winter; yet thousands of Eskimos and a number of other tribes live there. On a few occasions Eskimos have been brought to the United States, but they were unhappy and unhealthy and longed to get back to their northern home. Seasons and " Days " in the Far North.--Summer is the period of light, and winter the period of darkness. At the Arctic circle the longest period of continuous sunlight is 24 hours; at 70 latitude, it is two months; at 78, four months; and at the poles, six months. To these periods of actual sunlight should be added (1) further duration resulting from the fact that refraction of the sun's rays increases the length of the period of light; (2) periods of long polar twilight varying from hours at the circles to weeks at the poles. In northern Norway, Lapland, and Alaska beyond the Arctic circle a few hardy grains are grown. The reindeer has Fig. 209.--The white winters of the Far North. been domesticated and is the main dependence of the people. It is used as a draft animal; its milk and flesh furnish food; and its skin is used for clothing, blankets, and tents. The uncivilized Eskimos of northern America represent a people who live the natural life of the Arctic zone. Their mode of life is in strict accord with their climatic environment, and therefore forms an interesting study in the effect of a cold climate upon the life and customs of people. The Eskimos are thus described by one who has visited them:' "The unoivi'ized Eskimos are spread in scattered settlements from just west of Bering Straits to the eastern coast of Greenland, fringing the mainland and also occupying the coast of some of the islands. Formerly...