634 



SLING CONTRIVANCES FOR PROJECTILE WEAPONS. 



has close to the grip a hook of wood, stone (Chibcha), or bone 

 (Quito), at an angle of 90 degrees. Near the upper end the shaft 

 broadens into a small disk handle (see pi. iv, fig. ^51)) ; in using, the 

 right hand grasps this disk, and the forefinger the side hook there 

 found, the spear, as usual, being set against the upper hook. These 

 are abundant in collections," a number being in the Leipzig Museum, 

 showing that at one time the spear sling was widely dispersed 

 and much used (see pi. iv, fig. 40). The typical form of this hook 

 is a small straight base Avith a fluke joined to it by means of a 

 slanting neck seldom running directh^ upright. The whole was fas- 

 tened to the end of the shaft by lashing in twine. Besides these 

 plain examples, still others more decorated occur, many having 

 bird forms, for example the hook of the arrow slings of the Ozonanes, 

 now in Rome (see pi. iv, fig. 41). In the areas of these hooks there 

 is a means of deciding the former distribution of spear slings. Some 

 were found in Colombia, in Boyoca, and in Chile, on the borders of 

 Ecuador; in Ecuador, in Culpi on the Kiobamba, and in Azognes. 

 It is from this area that Reiss brought the similar half-modern 

 example from guano on the liiobamba. This ancient pattern seems 

 to be that found in Quito, now in Rome.'' 



The third type is the Brazilian. It is still used in the chase, in 

 tortoise-catching, and in war ^ among the peoples of the Magda- 

 lena and Amazon river district: (1) By the Tecunas, Cocamas, Omi- 

 bos, Campevas, Sorimoes; (2) by the Cauca and Patyagora stocks, 

 and the Paez; (3) by the Canamaris, Purupurus, Paumari. It is 

 still in use among the peoples of the upper Xingu and Araguaya; 

 and (4) by the Aueto, Kamayura, Trumai, Suya, Karaya. 



The spear slings of these four groups are of the male type, ^^itli a 

 hole or pocket for the forefinger in the center of the under side. The 

 first group shows quite a broad, thick shaft, flat above and arched 

 below. It broadens perceptibly in the middle, and there is a good 

 grip for the hand. On the under side of the middle is a rectangular 

 cavity for the forefinger. A hook is attached to the upper side of 

 the outer end (see pi. iv, fig. 42). This type was in use for tortoise 

 harpoons,*^ among the Tecunas,'^ Cocamas,^ and Coiiibos.^ Perhaps 

 the type of the Campevas or Omaguas and Sorimoes (in Teffe-Ega ■") . 

 Stolpe '^ reports of these that their spear slings had a finger caN'ity. 

 Spix and Martins *" report that this type was similar to that of the 



«Uhle: Intern. Arch., I, p. 209. 

 6 Stolpe: Intern. Arcli., Ill, pp. 234-238. 



c Karl V. d. Stelnen : Unter den Naturvolkern Centralbrasiliens ; Ulile : Midli. 

 Wiener Anthroii. (Jesell.. XVII, after Oviodo. 



(^ Bastian : Verliandlungen der Berliner Anlhrop. Gesellschaft, ISS-l, p. 203. 

 '' V. Spi.Y und Martins: lieise in Brasilien, 1S31, 111, pp. 1024, 1187, 1193. 

 f Examples discovered, now in Berlin. See ligure. 

 9 Alason : Smithsouiau report, pt. 2, 1884, p. 279. 



