CULTURE OF PEOPLE OF SOUTHEASTERN PANAMA 117 



by the right hand of the operator within an arc just wide enough 

 to secure the desired tone and phrasing, which is composed of a 

 crescendo followed by a diminuendo. 



An ornamental geometric surface design consisting of a network 

 of interlacing tangent and concentric circular incised lines deco- 

 rates the surface of the calabash shell. Incised words and phrases 

 in Spanish, together with the date, November 21, 1914, are also in- 

 cised or scratched on the surface. 



Another calabash rattle (Cat, No. 327382-4, U.S.N.M., pi. 8, Nos. 

 2, 3), is made by the Tule in a more characteristically native fashion 

 than the previously described rattle. A globular calabash 9 cm. 

 (3.5 in.) in diameter, from which the pulpy contents have been 

 removed through a circular incision of the shell at the stem end 2 

 cm. in diameter, is partially filled with a quantity of canna seeds. 

 The incised opening is closed with one end of a handle 18.8 cm. 

 (7.4 in.) in length, consisting of a long leg bone of some animal; 

 the handle is covered with cotton cord heavily wrapped in double 

 crossed roll. 



Four narrow elliptic slots are cut through the shell of the calabash 

 quite near to the place of insertion of the handle and surrounding 

 it at right angles to one another; through these slots are passed 

 back and forth lacing ends of the cord wrapping firmly securing 

 the bone handle. A layer of black cement composed of a gummy 

 substance similar to black beeswax covers the wrapping. The 

 gummy cement acts as a preservative and holds the cord in place. 

 The gum of the Ceroxylon andicola is mixed with beeswax and pow- 

 dered charcoal. In a similar manner the thread for wrapping the 

 composite arrowheads and hardwood foreshafts is waxed. The 

 proximal end of the handle is pierced by a small drilled hole through 

 which is passed a two-ply cord. This is long enough to pass over the 

 hand so that the instrument may be suspended from the hollow of 

 the wrist and carried. 



The calabash shell is more commonly employed by the Darien 

 tribes as a rattle than are the shells of the gourd or coconut; the 

 gourd is often unsuitable in shape and size, being also more fragile, 

 while the coconut is less resonant. A shell rattle made from a coco- 

 nut from which the meat has been removed is frequently employed 

 by the natives of the San Bias coast in their dances. The shell is al- 

 mond shaped and 6.9 cm. (2.7 in.) in sectional diameter. To it 

 is attached in characteristic Tule fashion, as previously described, 

 a wooden handle of black chonta palm wood beautifully wrapped 

 with cord and waxed (Cat. No. 327387, U.S.N.M., pi. 8, No. 4). At 

 the proximal end of the handle is a small wooden peg inserted as 

 a place to attach a cord for suspension. 



H. Pittier collected similar calabash rattles in the Sambu River 

 valley, south Darien, where they were used by the Choco to keep time 



