rubbed until it is soft, and the process is complete. As this sort of skin has its outer membrane intact, it is of a dark colour.
White kamik-skins are prepared up to a certain point like the foregoing, but when the hairs have been removed they are dipped in warm water (not too warm) until the black membrane is loosened, and then steeped in sea water, as cold as possible. If all the membrane is not removed, the skin is again dipped alternately in warm water and sea water until it comes away. Then the skin is pegged out and dried like the black skin.
The white skins, not being as strong and water-tight as the black, are used almost entirely by women, who either keep them white or dye them in different ways.
Sole leather for the kamiks is prepared in the same way as the black kaiak-skin, but is pegged out while drying.
Skins for kaiak-gloves are prepared at first like the black kamik skins, but after the hairs have been removed they are dressed with blood, and then rolled together and put away. This is repeated two or three times until they become entirely black. Then they are stretched for drying—in summer out of doors, but in winter in the houses. This skin is wonderfully water-tight.
