1892-93.1 NOTES ON THE WESTERN DENES. 57 



arrow shown in fig. 28, or to a wooden blunt arrow (fig. 29). The former* 

 consisted of three flat pieces of bone, or more generally horn, cut trans- 

 versely at their broadest extremity and fastened to the shaft through 

 their smaller end and sides by strong sinew threads. It did good service 

 even against large animals, and it is not more than 40 years since it has 

 entirely fallen into disuse. 



^S t~ i* ^r - = -r- ai^^^ l U 



Fig. 29. 



The latterf has been drawn from a specimen obtained from a Tse-'kehne 

 who, in common with the majority of his fellow huntsmen, to this day 

 finds this simple and primitive looking projectile invaluable against 

 grouse, rabbits, etc. 



Even such an apparently insignificant act as that of releasing the 

 arrow while shooting has been analyzed so as to yield modern scientists 

 material for ethnic divisions. Professor Morse thus classes the different 

 methods in vogue among American, European or Asiatic archers : — 



(i) Primary. — The notch of the arrow is grasped between the end of 

 the straightened thumb and the first and second joints of the bent fore- 

 finger. It is practised by children generally, and by the Ainos, Deme- 

 raras, Utes, Micmacs, etc. 



(2) Secondary. — The notch of the arrow is grasped with the straight- 

 ened thumb and bent fore-finger ; while the ends of the second and 

 third fingers are brought to bear on the string to assist in drawing. 

 Practised by the Zunfs, Ottawas, etc. 



(3) Tertiary. — In this release the forefinger, instead of being bent, is 

 nearly straight with its tip as well as the tips of the second and third 

 fingers, pressing or pulling on the string, the thumb, as in the primary 

 and secondary release, active in assisting in pinching the arrow and pull- 

 ing it back. It is practised by Sioux, Arapahos, Cheyennes, Assini- 

 boins, Comanches, Crows, Blackfeet, Navajos, Siamese, Great 

 Andamanese. 



(4) Mediterranean. — The string is drawn back with the tips of the first, 

 second and third fingers, the balls of the fingers clinging to the string 

 with the terminal joints of the fingers slightly flexed. The arrow is 

 lightly held between the first and second fingers, the thumb straight and 

 inactive. Practised by nations around the Mediterranean, by modern 



* TaViW3s, second, root. 

 + Th3s., prim. root. 



5 



