Milwaukee Public Museum: The Arctic
THE POWER OF PLANTS
If it weren't for plants, animals could not live. This is true even in the Arctic where plants capture enough of the sun's energy to survive and provide for animal life. When the brief summer comes to the Arctic, herds of caribou trek across the tundra seeking out the leaves and tender shoots of plants, including the Arctic willow. Meat eaters, in turn, prey on the caribou.
Although the arctic willow appears stunted and cowering, it is a success. Like other arctic plants it is well adapted to its demanding world. Arctic plants grow low and close to the ground to evade cold dry winds. Their root systems are shallow and broad, spread out above an impenetrable barrier of permafrost which, even in summer, is not far below the sun-warmed soil surface. Small hairy leaves do not easily give up moisture to the harsh touch of bitter winds.
ARCTIC ANIMALS
The polar bear, arctic fox, ermine and arctic ptarmigan all exhibit adaptations for survival in the arctic, both in structure and in behavior. Short, thick legs are easier to keep warm than long thin ones. Under abundant, fluffy feathers or thick fur, is the additional insulation of a layer of fat to insulate the animal from the elements. Ptarmigan have feathered toes which act as "snow shoes" to permit easy travel over snow.
These feathers are molted in spring when snow begins to melt. Caribou hooves are splayed, permitting buoyancy over the spongy tundra. The ermine and the ptarmigan change color according to the season; white in winter and tundra brown in summer, thus hiding themselves from predators.
Many plant-eating animals of the arctic migrate. Sparse vegetation means scarce food which prompts migration to new pastures.
PEOPLE OF THE ARCTIC
"Eskimo" means "raw-fish-eater", but they call themselves "Inuit", The People. The Inuit inhabit the largest territory of any present-day hunting people, yet they number only around 50,000. The ingenious and highly specialized technology and social organization of the Inuit have allowed them to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth.
Inuit life changes with the seasons. The long arctic winter can begin by mid-October. Migrating herd animals move inland. Inuit families depend on dried or smoked fish and meat gathered in the summer and on fresh seal meat. In summer, between May and September, Inuit hunt the returning caribou, or take to open waters in search of whale or walrus. They fish, snare birds, gather eggs and berries, and trap small animals. The animals provide not only food, but skins for clothing, tents, and boats. Bones are used for tools, fat provides oil for lamps, and ivory and bone are carved into images of gods and spirits.
ESKIMO CLOTHES
Eskimo clothing is from urine-tanned skins. Seal skin is used in summer and caribou in winter. An Eskimo outfit consists of a hooded, pull-over parka, pants, boots and mittens. Winter attire is two-layered with the hair of the inner coat turned inward for added warmth and insulation. The woman's parka is made extra large for carrying a baby, and has flaps along the bottom edge in front and back. The parkas of men and children are cut straight across the bottom and extend to the knees.
Men's pants are two types: loose and knee length in winter, and virtually waterproof ankle length summer wear. Women's pants vary in length among different groups, with boot height corresponding to length of pants.
Summer boots are made of softened sealskin with an overlapping double seam that is waterproof. Winter boots are made of caribou with thick sealskin soles. Mittens are usually of sealskin.
Women cut skins into segments of clothing with a curved knife, the "ulu" or woman's knife. The pieces are sewn together with sinew thread and a bone needle. The stitching is so fine that seams are almost invisible.
BUILDING A SNOW HOUSE
In winter the Inuit of the high arctic in central Canada live in snow houses called "igloos." An igloo is a dome of snow from ten to twelve feet high, and from twelve to fifteen feet in diameter. It takes two men about three hours to make a snow house, which usually will serve two families. Smaller one or two person igloos are constructed while traveling or in emergencies.
Snow blocks are cut from fresh, wind-blown snowdrifts with a walrus ivory knife. The blocks are placed end to end in a circle and inclined inward to form a gradually narrowing spiral. The last blocks are fitted into place from the outside. One man, standing on a block of snow, supports the converging blocks with his head, while another snugly fits the key blocks into place. The entrance is a low tunnel or archway, often constructed at an angle to cut down drafts. A block of clear ice fitted above the entrance serves as a window and light source.
Milwaukee Public Museum: The Arctic
THE POWER OF PLANTS
If it weren't for plants, animals could not live. This is true even in the Arctic where plants capture enough of the sun's energy to survive and provide for animal life. When the brief summer comes to the Arctic, herds of caribou trek across the tundra seeking out the leaves and tender shoots of plants, including the Arctic willow. Meat eaters, in turn, prey on the caribou.
Although the arctic willow appears stunted and cowering, it is a success. Like other arctic plants it is well adapted to its demanding world. Arctic plants grow low and close to the ground to evade cold dry winds. Their root systems are shallow and broad, spread out above an impenetrable barrier of permafrost which, even in summer, is not far below the sun-warmed soil surface. Small hairy leaves do not easily give up moisture to the harsh touch of bitter winds.
ARCTIC ANIMALS
The polar bear, arctic fox, ermine and arctic ptarmigan all exhibit adaptations for survival in the arctic, both in structure and in behavior. Short, thick legs are easier to keep warm than long thin ones. Under abundant, fluffy feathers or thick fur, is the additional insulation of a layer of fat to insulate the animal from the elements. Ptarmigan have feathered toes which act as "snow shoes" to permit easy travel over snow.
These feathers are molted in spring when snow begins to melt. Caribou hooves are splayed, permitting buoyancy over the spongy tundra. The ermine and the ptarmigan change color according to the season; white in winter and tundra brown in summer, thus hiding themselves from predators.
Many plant-eating animals of the arctic migrate. Sparse vegetation means scarce food which prompts migration to new pastures.
PEOPLE OF THE ARCTIC
"Eskimo" means "raw-fish-eater", but they call themselves "Inuit", The People. The Inuit inhabit the largest territory of any present-day hunting people, yet they number only around 50,000. The ingenious and highly specialized technology and social organization of the Inuit have allowed them to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth.
Inuit life changes with the seasons. The long arctic winter can begin by mid-October. Migrating herd animals move inland. Inuit families depend on dried or smoked fish and meat gathered in the summer and on fresh seal meat. In summer, between May and September, Inuit hunt the returning caribou, or take to open waters in search of whale or walrus. They fish, snare birds, gather eggs and berries, and trap small animals. The animals provide not only food, but skins for clothing, tents, and boats. Bones are used for tools, fat provides oil for lamps, and ivory and bone are carved into images of gods and spirits.
ESKIMO CLOTHES
Eskimo clothing is from urine-tanned skins. Seal skin is used in summer and caribou in winter. An Eskimo outfit consists of a hooded, pull-over parka, pants, boots and mittens. Winter attire is two-layered with the hair of the inner coat turned inward for added warmth and insulation. The woman's parka is made extra large for carrying a baby, and has flaps along the bottom edge in front and back. The parkas of men and children are cut straight across the bottom and extend to the knees.
Men's pants are two types: loose and knee length in winter, and virtually waterproof ankle length summer wear. Women's pants vary in length among different groups, with boot height corresponding to length of pants.
Summer boots are made of softened sealskin with an overlapping double seam that is waterproof. Winter boots are made of caribou with thick sealskin soles. Mittens are usually of sealskin.
Women cut skins into segments of clothing with a curved knife, the "ulu" or woman's knife. The pieces are sewn together with sinew thread and a bone needle. The stitching is so fine that seams are almost invisible.
BUILDING A SNOW HOUSE
In winter the Inuit of the high arctic in central Canada live in snow houses called "igloos." An igloo is a dome of snow from ten to twelve feet high, and from twelve to fifteen feet in diameter. It takes two men about three hours to make a snow house, which usually will serve two families. Smaller one or two person igloos are constructed while traveling or in emergencies.
Snow blocks are cut from fresh, wind-blown snowdrifts with a walrus ivory knife. The blocks are placed end to end in a circle and inclined inward to form a gradually narrowing spiral. The last blocks are fitted into place from the outside. One man, standing on a block of snow, supports the converging blocks with his head, while another snugly fits the key blocks into place. The entrance is a low tunnel or archway, often constructed at an angle to cut down drafts. A block of clear ice fitted above the entrance serves as a window and light source.