78 BULLETIN 134, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



margin, probably representing fringes. The posture of the hands 

 flexed over the lower front of torso, likewise the decorative design 

 on the skirt are identical in posture and pattern with the ancient 

 stone carvings from Colombia as figured and described by Preuss in 

 the Zeitsehrift fur Ethnologie (p. 108, 1914). 



Another larger unpainted female figurine, 18.6 cm. (7.3 in.) in 

 length, is represented as a native woman from Caledonia village, 

 Caledonia Bay. garbed in a mantle that extends to the knees (Cat. 

 No. 1327476, U.S.N.M., pi. 18, No. 10). In this figurine and the 

 female carving previously described the disproportionate length of 

 nose may be observed when compared with the length of the leg 

 carving — both details are of equal length. 



A more conventionalized hardwood carving, 26.2 cm. (10.3 in.) 

 in length, with regard to bodily features and attire, in which arms 

 and hands merge in the same tapered carving projected at an acute 

 angle to the main block. The torso, legs, and pedal extremities 

 are undifferentiated. A facial plane with the nose featured in high 

 relief and a bulbous elevation above the forehead portion break the 

 monotony of outline (Cat. No. 327484, U.S.N.M., pi., 18. No. 11). 

 These female human figure carvings are capable of curing disease 

 when held in the lele's hand. 



The carving of an ornamental design on the handle of walking 

 sticks or staffs is the general practice among the Darien tribes. A 

 considerable amount of ceremonial and other significant tribal lore 

 is embodied in the design. The staffs with reptilian and animal 

 ornamental carvings (pi. 20) are carried by policemen, chiefs, and 

 headmen generally as a symbol of their authority. In writing of 

 the Bribri of Costa Rica in Indian Notes. 11 Skinner describes one of 

 these staffs similarly used by the Bribri. "A stick once owned by 

 Ramon's father, the old ' king.' was in the custody of Seiior Alejo 

 Jiminez, governor of Talamanca, who lived at Saporio. It was taken 

 by the Bribri from a neighboring tribe, probably the Tiribi, in war, 

 many years ago, and the Indians are very anxious lest it should 

 pass out of their hands, since they say. l it cost us blood." This staff 

 was seen by Gabb, who states: ' It is a staff of hard black palm 

 wood, over four feet long. The top is carved in the shape of an 

 animal, not unlike a bear sitting on his haunches. But there are no 

 bears in this country, and it must have been intended for some 

 other animal.' " 



A similar carved staff, " tsuwarivgana " (Tide), used by the Tule 

 village policeman of the San Bias coast, 83.5 cm. (32.5 in.) in 

 length, has a 5 cm. long representation carved on the head of the 

 staff of a squirrel resting on his haunches and eating a nut which it 

 is holding in its forepaws. The figurehead or handle of the staff 



"Vol. 6, p. 90. 



