It is generally stated that they are perfectly insensible to kindness, and only to be kept in order by a liberal application of the lash, or even of a more formidable weapon; for the Eskimo, if their Dogs are refractory, do not scruple to beat them about the head with a hammer, or anything else of sufficient hardness which happens to be at hand. They will even beat the poor brutes in this horrible manner until they are actually stunned. Notwithstanding the absolute dependence of the Eskimo on their Dogs, little or no care is taken of them; they receive nothing in any degree approaching petting, and spend all their time in the open air. The chief use of the Eskimo Dog is to draw the sledges, which are the only possible conveyance in that frozen land. In all the Arctic expeditions which have been sent out at various times, a good supply of Sledge-dogs has been one of the greatest _desiderata_, as without them it would be absolutely impossible to proceed far. No other animal would answer the purpose, both horses and cattle being quite useless in journeys over ice and snow, amongst which the pack of light, active Dogs make their way with wonderful ease and safety. The presence of a good leader to every sledge-team is of the first importance: the other Dogs obey him far more implicitly than the driver, as he has gained his proud position _vî et armis_, and keeps all his subordinates in the strictest order. Notwithstanding this, the behaviour of the team while running is far from exemplary. Captain Lyon says “they are constantly fighting, and I do not recollect to have seen one receive a flogging without instantly wreaking his passion on the ears of his neighbour.” So that it is always best to trust to a good leader than to any amount of whipping, as the latter may only involve the whole concern--team, sledge, driver, and all--in hopeless and inextricable confusion. “Among the Eskimo on the western shores of Davis Straits, a loose Dog usually precedes the sledge, and, by carefully avoiding broken places in the ice, acts as a guide to the sledge-team, which carefully follows his lead.” Besides their use as draught animals, these Dogs are employed in Bear and Seal hunting. Their skin is also valuable, and the natives are extremely fond of their flesh, although, as the Dog is getting gradually scarcer, they can seldom indulge in the dainty. THE DOMESTIC DOGS OF OTHER SAVAGE TRIBES.