FOOTNOTES:
[157] The first white man to enter the Yukon and behold its immense volume was Glazoonov, a Russian post-trader of the old Company, who, with a small band of promishlyniks, managed to overcome the hostility of the natives sufficiently to get up as far as the present site of Nulato. This was in 1833. Lieutenant Zagoskin, of the Russian Navy, made a thorough engineering examination of the river up as far as the “Ramparts,” between the years 1842-45, inclusive, locating its positions and courses by astronomical and magnetic observations. After him, named in regular order of their priority in visiting the river, came the following Americans, the first in 1865, the last in 1885:—Kennicott, Pease, Adams, Ketchum, Dall, Whymper, Mercier, Raymond, Hill and Shaw (two miners, from its very source), Nelson, Petroff, then Schwatka and Everett (also from its source). All of these men have given to the world more or less elaborate accounts of the Yukon through the medium of published works, letters, and lectures. The literature on the single subject of the Kvichpak is decidedly voluminous.
[158] François Mercier, according to whom “Ingaleek” signifies “incomprehensible.”
[159] Lieutenant H. T. Allen, Engineer Corps, United States Army.
[160] An average temperature prevails in this region for the year as follows:
| January, | -.5° | April, | 22.1° | July, | 53.1° | October, | 28.0° |
| February, | -.6° | May, | 32.8° | August, | 52.1° | November, | 18.3° |
| March, | 9.5° | June, | 45.2° | September, | 43.3° | December, | 8.9° |
[161] December 5, 1842. The refreshing honesty and frankness of this explorer’s thorough work on the Yukon and Kuskokvim deserve to be better known.
[162] It is the same reply that is honestly given to any query made as to the reason of almost every one of these Innuit mummeries. Too many attempts have been made to attach serious meaning to such idle ceremonies.