Australian String Figures. 125 



so that this string makes a half turn round their tips, at the same 

 time keeping the thumbs closely pressed against the index fingers to 

 hold the ulnar thumb string firm. Then extend the figure by turn- 

 ing the palms of the hands away from you. 



You are sometimes required to twist a loop. This may be done 

 " clockwise " — that is in the direction in which the hands of a clock 

 travel — or in the opposite way, which is termed "counter clock- 

 wise." 



In some finished figures, if the strings are pulled apart carelessly 

 a hopeless tangle is the result. To avoid this, take the top and 

 bottom straight strings of the figure and pull them apart, and the 

 string will usually resolve itself into a simple loop. 



The string selected should be smooth and pliable, and one which 

 is not liable to kink. Macrami thread, or a fine woven cord, like 

 blind cord, will be found to be very suitable. A length of about 

 6 ft. 6 in. (2 metres) is usually the most convenient. The ends 

 should be tied in a reef knot, or sewn together with cotton, or, best 

 of all, spliced. 



1. (Plate XX.) — Barbed UPEAUS — Miral Kaiperi. (South Australia). 

 Collected by Miss C. Herdman. 



Hold the string between the thumb and index fingers, the hands 

 being about six inches apart, and make a loop by bringing the right 

 hand towards you and to the left. Hold the strings between the 

 thumbs and index fingers, so that both the loops hang down, and 

 pass both index fingers towards you through both loops. 



Draw the hands apart, and turn the fingers up (Top Opening). 



Pass the right thumb distal to the proximal radial index string, 

 and pick up the proximal ulnar index string from the proximal 

 side. 



Pass the left thumb distal to the proximal index loop, and pick 

 up the distal ulnar index string from the proximal side. 



Pass the right little finger distal to the distal ulnar index string, 

 and pick up the proximal radial index string from the proximal 

 side. 



Pass the left little finger distal to the proximal ulnar index 

 string, and jaick up the proximal radial index string from the 

 proximal side. 



Pass the middle fingers distal to the distal radial index string, 

 and into the little finger loops distally, then straighten them out, 

 thus picking up the distal ulnar index string. .^''^Cnli''-^-^ 



L I B R A R Y 1 30 1 



