EXPLANATION OF PLATE LIX. 

 The D1S6ECTJOX OK A Sea-Ottkk Arrow, Cook's Lnlkt. 



This is the most elaborate and iugenious arrow known, and alJ of its parts, in 

 every specimen, are most delicately finished. Such a weapon may well have been 

 used in hunting the most costly of fur-bearing animals — the otter. 



The shaft is of spruce, gently tapering toward the nock, which is large and bell 

 shape. Into the end of this shaft is inserted a foreshaft of bone, and into the end 

 of this fits the barb. Feathers, three, symmetrically trimmed and seized at both 

 ends with delicately-twisted sinew thread. The barbed head is perforated, aud 

 through these perforations is attached a braided line at least teu feet long. The 

 other end of the line is attached to two points on the shaft by a martingale. When 

 not in use, the line is coiled neatly 011 the shaft and the barb is put in place in the 

 foreshaft. When the arrow is shot, the barb enters the flesh of the otter, the loose 

 fastening is undone, the line unrolled, the foreshaft drops into the arrow; the shaft 

 acts as a drag and the feathers as a buoy to aid the hunter in tracing the animal. 

 See fig. 4., PI. Lii. 

 Fig. 1. Arrow with line unrolled showing relation of parts. 



Fig. 2. Theshaftment. Attention isdrawn to the delicate seizing with sinew thread, 

 the natty trimming of the feather, the most efficient nock. 



Fig. 3. The lines and knots. Notice is given of the elegance of the braid, the 

 efficient manner of " doing up" the line, the peculiar knot for the mar- 

 tingale. 



Fig. 4. The arrow ready to be shot. 



This form of arrow with its southern type of sinew-backed bow is found also on 



the Keniles, where these were taken by Alents, carried over by the Russians to hunt 



sea otter. 



