1920] 



on String Figures 



105 



11. The Looper Caterpillar = Kultur. (Yam Island, Torres 



Straits.) 



Position I. 



Wrap the radial string once round the left thumb and draw tight. 



Pass the right index proximally into the left thumb loop and draw 

 out. Pick up the right palmar string with the left index 

 proximally through the right index loop, and the left palmar 

 string with the right index proximally through the left index 

 loop. 



Release the left hand and turn the right hand palm downwards. 

 Pass the left little finger to the back of the right hand and 

 distally into the distal dorsal right index loop and draw it out a 

 little way. Pass the left thumb through this loop proximally 

 and into the proximal right index loop from the proximal side, 

 pick this loop up on its back and draw it out through the left 

 little-finger loop. Release right index and return. 



Pass the index fingers distally into the thumb loops and draw out the 

 ulnar strings till they are over the little-finger loops, pass the 

 index fingers distally into the little finger loops, and turning 

 them up towards you pick up the radial little-finger strings. 

 Release thumbs, but do not draw tight. 



Pass the thumbs distally through the loops just released and pick up 

 the upper string (the original ulnar thumb string) and the ulnar 

 index string. 



Release index fingers and pindiki.* 



Fig. 19. — The Looper Caterpillar. 



Rest the figure on your knee and turn the hands palm upwards, thus 

 causing the "caterpillar" to contract, turn the palms down 

 again and he elongates ; repeat making it walk down the leg. 



Syn. The Leech = manu. (Saibai, Torres Straits.) 



* See note p. 102. 



