72 BULLETIN 137, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Barong, Moro^ Mindanao. — A beautifully proportioned lanceolate 

 leaf-shaped blade, having a convexity of posterior edge or back 

 slightly less than that of the convexly curved cutting edge. Greatest 

 width of blade is 7.6 centimeters (3 inches) ; sectional width of pos- 

 terior edge at hilt is 0.8 centimeter. The blade tang is inserted into 

 the carved dugong ivory handle, where it is firmly secured with a 

 black gummy cement. The grip is overlaid with an hourglass-shaped 

 ferrule consisting of multiple joined and overlapping bands of silver, 

 each grooved and filleted. The motive of the ivory carving on pom- 

 mel is an ogee curve repeated. The back lateral surface of pommel 

 is plain. The sheath has flat surfaces of hardwood polished frolii 

 use. It consists of two hollowed slabs glued together at lateral edges 

 with black paste. A cord wrapping occurs at distal end. A flaring- 

 scroll carving projects from the lateral sides at the top of sheath; 

 both this carving and a projected motive at the distal end of sheath 

 have the characteristic ogee of recurved S pattern. 



Length of blade, 37.6 centimeters (14.8 inches) ; length of weapon, 

 68.7 centimeters (23.1 inches). Collected by Dr. William Oyster. 

 (PI, 11, No. 1.) Cat. No.288361, U.S.N.M. 



Basketry holo case. — The basketry bolo case of the Yacan and of 

 the Basilan Moro consists of the following structural parts : The 

 bottom, which is worked from soft wood; the body, consisting of 

 rigid splints of bamboo, circular in shape, but oblong and flattened 

 or pinched together at the bottom ; the border, consisting of two sec- 

 tions of Malay knot work and basketry weaving and rattan hoops; 

 and the carrying parts, consisting of split half stems of rattan laid 

 on the back of the body outside and held fast by a series of Malay 

 knots. 



Dr. Otis T. Mason, who first described this type of reticule or work 

 bag,® gives the following description of the basketry technic there 

 developed : 



The structural parts at once awaken interest through the economies dis- 

 played in uniting the greatest capacity and strength with tlie least weight of the 

 vehicle. 



The bottom is divided into quite distinct portions, the outer and the inner. 

 The former is the footing — keel-shaped, parallel-sided, and rudely carved in 

 front. The inside portion, acting as a lining to the bottom, is in shape of a 

 long, elliptical dish, to serve as a rest for the weapons and other belongings. 

 The furrow between these parts receives the textile elements of the inner 

 basket. 



The technic of the body is in uniform, rigid splits of bamboo. These are 

 woven in four directions — horizontal, dextral, sinistral, and vertical. The 

 splints are woven in two series — an inner, with a hexagonal weave in large 

 open mesh work, and an outer series, the splints of which pass through 

 the meshes of the inner series of splints, six elements through each mesh. 



«Pioc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. 33, pp. 193-196, 1908. 



