GRAPHIC ART OF THE ESKIMOS. 933 



The nine crude outlines sliowu in fig. l.")3 represent tliat number of 

 bears killed during the lifetime of the owner of the record. 



The skins are here suspeuded from upright poles or posts, and the 

 arrangement of figures has, in other instances, suggested patterns for 

 decorative purposes, as will be observed elsewhere in connection with 

 the subject pertaining thereto. 



Figs. 7 and 8 of plate 50 are spear guards usually attached to the 

 upper surface of the canoe so as to form a secure guard upon which 

 the spear is placed. Both of these guards are decorated with concentric 

 rings, both different. Upon the outer line in fig. 7 we perceive diverg- 

 ing short lines terminating in the conventional V-shape or tree figure, 

 while in the other, fig. 8, will be perceived the plain line, which may 

 perhaps refer to the flower symbol noted in fig. 4 of plate 50, and 

 described elsewhere in Mr. Turner's communication. See also plate 75 

 bearing various forms of native patterns of circles. 



Plate 38 represents four ivory bag handles, of which fig. 1 is from 

 Norton Sound. It bears upon the upper side four sets of concentric 

 circles, equidistant from one another, and connected by a median line, 

 above and below which are a pair of radiating diagonal lines appar- 

 ently denoting the conventional symbol of whale fins. This specimen 

 is similarly marked upon the bottom side and convex edge. With ref- 

 erence to this ornamentation, it is one step beyond that represented in 

 plate 29, fig. 2, which was obtained at St. Michaels, and upon one side 

 of which are shown five sets of concentric circles similarly connected 

 by median lines, but without the lateral radiating lines above noticed. 



On plate 38, fig. 3, is shown another bag handle upon which appear 

 seven sets of concentric circles, which, however, are smaller than those 

 shown on the two preceding specimens, plate 38, figs. 1, 2. The design 

 shown in fig. 3 appears to be the primary mode of decoration, as in 

 this there are no connecting lines. 



Plate 48 represents a variety of ear pendants from several localities 

 on the west coast of Alaska. The chief feature of these specimens 

 consists in the variety of ornamentation. Simi)le dots made by drill- 

 ing, concentric rings, nucleated circles, and in one specimen — fig. 8 — a 

 series of serrations attached to two of the circles, comprise the chief 

 features of ornamentation. Fig. 9, however, represents a powder 

 charger consisting of a bell-shaped implement, hollow beneath, Avith 

 just sufticient cavity to contain one charge of powder. The nucleated 

 circles upon this specimen are among the smallest thus far found in 

 the collections of the National Museum. The arrangement of the cir- 

 cles, also, is artistic and geometrical. Those attached to lines extend- 

 ing from the ring, and apparently suspended therefrom, are, without 

 doubt, flower symbols, as midway between the circle and the upper 

 ring are short lines denoting leaves. This is probably the blossom or 

 fruit of the cranherry — Vacciitium Yitisichva. 



Around the lower border of the utensil is a delicately incised line. 



