Australian String Figures. 123 



A given string may be taken up by a digit so that it lies on the 

 front or palmar aspect of the finger, or so that it lies on the back 

 or dorsal aspect. In nearly all cases it will be found that when a 

 string is taken up by inserting the digit into the distal side of a 

 loop, the string will have Ijeen taken up by the palmar aspect of the 

 digit, and that the insertion into the proximal side of the loop in- 

 volves taking up the string by the dorsal aspect of tlie digit. 



Other operations involved are those of transferring strings from 

 one digit to another, and dropping the string from a given digit or 

 digits. 



The manipulation consists of a series of movements, after each of 

 which the figure should be extended by drawing the hands apart and 

 separating the digits. In some cases in which this would interfere 

 with the formation of the figure, a special instruction will be given 

 that the figure is not to be extended. Usually, it is advisable to 

 retain the loops as near the tips of the digits as possible, and to keep 

 the strings as loose as you can until the completion of the figure. 



There are certain opening positions and movements which are 

 common to many figures. To save trouble, these may receive con- 

 ventional names; the use of these will soon be apparent. 



Posct ion I 



Position 1. — This name may be applied to the position in which 

 the string is placed on the hands when beginning the great majority 

 of the figures. 



Place the string over the thumbs and little fingers of both hands, 

 so that on each hand the string passes round the back of the little 

 finger, then between the little and ring fingers and across the palm; 

 then between the index and thumb and round the back of the thumb 

 to the radial side of the hand. When the hands are drawn apart the 

 result is a single radial thumb string and a single ulnar little finger 

 string on each hand, with a string lying across the palm. 



