ON THE NORTH-WESTERN TRIBES OF CANADA. 83

about 18 inches deep, is dug. It is about 12 feet long and 8 or 9 feet
wide, with rounded corners. In the front and the rear—that is, at the
narrower ends—pairs of converging poles are erected (1, figs. 22, 23).
They are connected by two cross-bars on each side (2). In the front and
the rear four or more slender poles are tied to the converging poles and
planted into the ground, so that they form a slight curve in the front and
in the rear of the lodge (3). They are steadied by means of wickers (4).
The lower part of this structure is covered with bundles of hay, the upper
part with a double layer of mats made of rushes. The ridge remains
Open and serves as a smoke-escape. In some instances the hut is covered
with bark.

The temporary summer lodge consists merely of three or four con-
verging poles, connected by wickers, and covered with mats made of
ballrushes—much more usually a complete criss-cross of branches running

Fig. 23.—Front Elevation of Winter Lodge.

in two directions, six or eight sticks each way. It differs in no essential

from sweat-houses used all over the northern interior of the continent.
The sweat-house is always used when a person has to undergo a pro-
cess of ceremonial cleansing. It is built on the bank of a creek and
consists of two stout willow branches, crossing each other, both ends
being planted into the ground, It is covered with skins. The door is
at the foot of one of these branches and can be closed by a piece of skin.
The principal method of fishing is by means of bag-nets. Platforms
are built, projecting over the river. On these the fishermen stand, pro-
vided with a large bag-net. Salmon are also caught with the spear.
The fish are dried on platforms, which are erected on the steep banks of
the rivers, the lower side being supported by two pairs of converging
poles, the upper resting on the ground. Venison is dried on platforms
of a similar description. Provisions are stored, either in small sheds
which stand on poles, about 6 feet above the ground, or in caches. If
venison is to be dried very quickly it is hung up in the sweat-house (see
below).
6a