286 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1884. 



distal ends for the extremities oftHe weapons are very large plugs of 

 wood or ivory and have beveled edges rather than points for the re- 

 ception of the butt end of the weapon to be thrown. 



NOETON SOUND TYPES. 



These types extend from Cape Darby around to Cape Byer, includ- 

 ing part of Kaviagmut, the Mahlemut, the Unaligmut, and the Ekog- 

 mut area of Dall, and extending up the Yukon Eiver as far as the Eskimo, 

 who use this weapon. The characteristics are the same as those of the 

 last named area, excepting that in many specimens there are two finger- 

 pegs instead of one, the first peg inclosing the middle finger, the second 

 the ring-finger and the little finger (Figs. 10-13). A single specimen 

 collected by Lucien Turner at Saint Michael's has no index cavity, the 

 forefinger resting on the first peg and the other three fingers passing 

 between this and the outer peg (Fig. 14). Another specimen of Nelson's, 

 marked Sabotinsky, has the index-finger cavity and one finger-peg. The 

 finger-tip cavity on the upper surface of the handle forms the figure of 

 a water-bird, in which the heart is connected with the mouth by a 

 curved line, just as ia the pictography of the more southern Indians.' 



The Yukon Eiver Eskimo use a throwing-stick quite similar to the 

 Norton Sound type. The characteristics are very pronounced. Thumb- 

 groove deep, index-finger cavity so long as to include the first joint. 

 The hook for the spear-end formed by the edge of a plug of hard wood. 

 The middle finger is separated by a deep groove and peg. The ring and 

 little finger are inclosed by the peg and a sharp projection at the upper 

 end of the handle. 



-NUNIVAK ISLAND AND CAPE VANCOUVER TYPE. 



In this region a great change comes over the throwing-stick, just as 

 though it had been stopped by Cape Eomanzoff, or new game had called 

 for modification, or a mixing of new peoples had modified their tools 

 (Figs. 15-17). The index-finger cavity and the hole for the index finger 

 are here dropped entirely, after extending from Greenland uninter- 

 ruptedly to Cape Eomanzoff. The handle is conspicuously wide, while 

 the body of the implement is very slender and light. The thumb-groove 

 is usually chamfered out very thoroughly so as to fit the flexor muscle 

 conveniently. There are frequently finger-grooves and finger-tip cavi- 

 ties in addition to the pegs. The cavity for the index finger having 

 disappeared, provision is made for that important part of the hand by 

 a separate peg and groove. The middle finger is also pegged off, and 

 the last two fingers have to shift for themselves. The hook for the 

 shaft of the weapon has a fine point like a little bead, the whole imple- 

 ment being adapted to the light seal-harpoon darts. Mr. Dall collected 

 a large number of two-pegged sticks from Nunivak Island and four 

 three-pegged sticks labeled the same. Mr. Nelson also collected four 

 three-pegged sticks, but labels them Kuslumuk, Cape Vancouver, on 



