PRIMITIVE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION IN NORTH AMERICA

Abstract

The modes of transportation among North American aborigines are divided into about six groups according to the place where they live, as shown in the Map.In the land along the Arctic Ocean, Eskimos' land that is beyond the north bound of the tree-growing region, sleds and canoes made of hides provide means of transportation.In the snowy woodlands of Canadian Shiield bornering on Eskimos' region, sleds and snow-shoes are used in winter, and in summer canoes made of birch bark are employed for transport.However, in the region beyond the bound of birch-growing areas, large-modeled canoes of Atlantic districts were the means of transportation by water because light birch bark canoes did not suit large rivers. At the same tine, as it is not seldom that heavy snow in winter and marshes in summer hamper traffic, people start going on foot constructing roads.In Great Plains, travois, bull-boats and sleds are used. In the highland of the West, the bearers, and in the regions along the North Pacific and the Gulf, the large-modeled canoes provided principal means of communication.Regarding the distribution according to the area of primitive modes of transportation, the study by H. Banlig (Ann. de Geog., Vol. 17) contains valuable information.