296 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



and knotted so as to keep it in shape. At its other extremity it unites 

 with the end of a long rawhide line, which in turn is looped at its 

 other end to a becket or loop of sealskin float, and frequents an addi- 

 tional line is spliced between the two. This line rests upon a flat 

 board frame, which is thus described.^ 



The float board consists of a strong, oval hoop of spruce made in two U-shaped 

 pieces, with the ends brought together and beveled to form a neatly-fitting joint, 

 which is wrapped firmly wath a lashing of spruce root; the sides have holes by M-hich 

 a thin board is fastened to the under side, the ends of which are notched in front to 

 form a coarsely serrated pattern wdth five points that are inserted in slots cut in the 

 front of the hoop. The front of the board is oval, and the sides taper gradually to 

 the points of two projecting arms, which extend 4 or 5 inches below the bow; between 

 these arms a deep slot is cut, with the inner border rounded. The board has a round 

 hole in the center and a crescentic hole on each side (Plate LIV, fig. 10). 



On the kaiak the float board is placed in front of the hunter with the arm-like 

 points thrust beneath the cross lashing to hold it in position, and upon it lies the coil 

 of float line with the spear attached and resting on the spear guards on the right rail 

 of the boat; the end of the line is passed back under the hunter's right arm to the 

 float, which, fully inflated, rests on the deck just l)ack of the manhole. 



When the spear is thrown, the coil runs off rapidly and the float is thrown over- 

 board. In some cases, w^hen the prey is vigorous and leads a long pursuit, another 

 line, like that shown in figure 9, Plate LIY, is made fast through the semilunar ori- 

 fices in the center of the float board, which latter, when drawn through the water by 

 means of this cord, assumes a position nearly at a right angle to the course of the 

 animal and forms a heavy drag to impede its progress. 



When hunting on the ice, the float board, with the line coiled upon it, is carried 

 in the left hand of the hunter and the spear in the right hand while he watches 

 along the borders of the leads or holes for the appearance of the seals. When he 

 succeeds in striking one, he holds firmly to the line mitil the animal is exhausted, 

 or, if necessary, the float board attached to the line is cast into the water, while the 

 hunter hurries to his kaiak and embarks in pursuit. 



In plate 15 will be shown the method of uniting the toggle head with the loose 

 shaft, this with the fore shaft, and the fore shaft with the shaft. This last joint is 

 worthy of study, with its curious tenon and shoulder fitting into a socket at the end 

 of the shaft. Especial attention is called to the manner m which the shaft is cut 

 away a short distance on the outside to allow the lashing of sinew to draw the joint 

 perfectly tight. Attention is also called to the method of fitting the splicmg, at which 

 the Eskimo are quite adept. On the surface of the fore shaft the dot and ring orna- 

 ments occur. This decoration, wherever found, is an emblem of the existence of steel 

 tools. Very little ornament exists on the old Eskimo weapons found in localities 

 away from contact. 



The head of a toggle harpoon (Cat. No. 168625, U. S. N.M) from Bristol 

 Bay, collected by William J. Fisher, is shown in fig. 88. The head is of 

 bone, back sharp edged, front rounded, and the whole a flattened wedge 

 shape at right angles to the line hole. The blade, of slate, is triangu- 

 lar, with convex sides, and glued into a saw cut in the end of the head. 

 This socket for the loose shaft is square in section and shallow. The 

 butt end of the body is beveled as in most harpoons of this class, but 

 in such manner as to form an offset on the margin of the socket, and 



^ Nelson, The Eskimo about Bering Strait, 1899, p. 138. 



