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	322 MUSIC OF THE WATERS.

	The hymn which follows is one that is frequently used by the natives. It is a genuine Icelandic melody:—



	The Esquimaux have two sorts of boats or canoes, the kia or man's boat, and the oomiak or woman's boat; this latter is the more perfect vessel of the two, as it is often used for the transport of more than one person and also for the conveyance of luggage. It can scarcely be said to be a comfortable vessel though. The women paddle their own canoe, but an old man generally steers the oomiak. He is selected because of his age, and though considered sufficiently able to direct the woman's canoe, is supposed to be too old for the kia or man's boat. I believe it is no uncommon thing for this old Charon to fling a knife, harpoon, or even a seal-hook at the ladies if they should neglect their paddling. When I read this in Wood's " Natural History of Man," it struck me as evidence of a very poor spirit in the fair sex of those northern shores, to allow themselves to be so treated by