58 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. | VoL. IV. 



archers, Flemish (using first and second fingers only), Eskimos, Little 

 Andaniese. 



(5) Mongolian. — In this release the string is drawn by the flexed, 

 thumb bent over the string, the end of the forefinger assisting in holding 

 the thumb in position. Tlie thumb is protected by a guard of some 

 kind. It is practised by Manchus, Chinese, Coreans, Japanese, Turks 

 and Perbians.* 



Our Carriers followed the first or primary method of arrow relea.-^c, 

 while the Tse'kehne conformed to the fourth or Meditterranean. I am 

 not acquainted with that in vogue among the prehistoric Tsi[Koh'tiiV. 

 The above details are given to show to what advantage even the slight- 

 est differences in the performance of an act common to all primitive 

 peoples can be turned by the acute observer and reflecting scientist. 



Although the scope of this pajjcr, to be consistent with its heading, 

 should be restricted to stone implements, I feel that I cannot well separ- 

 ate bows from arrows in my treatment of the weapons of the chase. As 

 far as my information goes, three varieties of bows, exclusive of cross- 

 bows, obtained among the Western Denes. Of these two were proper to 

 the Tse'kehne, and the third to the Carriers and probably the Tsi[Koh'tin 

 as well. 



Fig- 30- 



The regular hunting or war bow of the Tse'kehne was of mountain 

 maple [Aar glabrum, Toiu.) and five feet and a half or more in length. 

 The edges, both inner and outer, were smoothened over so as to permit 

 of strips of unplaited sinew being twisted around to ensure therefor the 

 necessar}' strength. These pieces of sinew were fastened on with a glue 

 obtained from the .sturgeon sound, which also did service for all kinds of 

 gluing purposes among each of the three tribes, while still in their pre- 

 historic period. The central part of the bow, which was so thick as to 

 appear almost rectangular, was finally covered with a tissue of differently- 

 tinged porcupine quills. 



Great care was taken to obtain a bow-string impermeable to snow and 

 rain. With this object in view, delicate threads of sinew were twisted 

 together and afterwards rubbed over with sturgeon glue. This first 

 string was then gradually strengthened by additional sinew threads 

 twisted round the first and main cord, each overlaying of sinew being 



See Anthropology in 1886, by C. T. Mason, p. 53S. 



