KX PI. A NAT I ON O K P I. A T K li X V I I . 



Sinkw-Backki) Kows ok Esicyvio. 



Pj-atk i.xvu represeuts four examples of sinew-backed bows of Murdoch's southern 

 types. The following characteristics are to be noted: First, in all of them 

 the backing extends from nock to nock with here and there extra strands let 

 into the cable by means of any number of half hitches passing around the 

 bow and into the cable. These have the additional value of keeping the 

 wood from cr.acking. In the third example in the plate is exhibited the 

 characteristics of the bent or Tatar pattern. The bow has really three 

 curves, the great one in the middle and two shorter ones near the end. 

 The bends where the small curves meet the larger one are strengthened 

 with bridgesof wood and seizing of sinew. In three specimens on the page 

 the cable or backing Las been twisted by means of an ivory lever described 

 in the text and held thus by a seizing which is rove through one-half of 

 the strands holding the whole in place. The twisting of the sinew serves 

 to tighten the bow. In figures 4, 5, 7 the bow is shown with a device 

 for keeping the cable from untwisting. In all examples except figure 6 

 one-half of the bow is shown. 



Ill the order in wbich tbey appear upon the plate the bows are numbered Cat. No. 

 7972, U. S. N. M., from Bristol Bay, collected by Dr. Minor; No. 15651, Nuniviak 

 Island, collected by W. H.Dall; No. 36028, Knskoquira, <oUected by T.. W. Nel 

 soil; No. 36034, collected by E. W. Nelson. 



