130 Morten P. Porsild. 



ventral barb occurred. The line hole is simplest in those harpoons 

 which have their greatest width in the vertical plane, where it simply 

 cuts straight through the harpoon (see Fig. 1, A). Then there are only- 

 slight indications of grooves running obliquely backwards. In the har- 

 poons which have their greatest width in the horizontal plane the line 

 holes {qingai, 146, its nostrils or issai, Supplement, p. 17, its goggles) 

 are on the ventral side, and distinct grooves extend from them back- 

 wards. The line hole runs obliquely inward and upward. Thereby 

 a more efîective toggling is attained without loss of strength (see dia- 

 grams. Fig. 2). The shaft-socket (itsiornera from iteq, 115; -iorpoq, 421) 

 is well-rounded at the edges so that the shaft does not fit tightly into 

 it. The toggling butt is often just cut aslant in such a manner that 

 the terminal barb is situated in the middle on the dorsal side. It may 

 also be unsymmetrical, being prolonged obliquely behind. In such a case 

 there is nearly always a lateral barb on the opposite side (see Fig. 1, D). 

 In a throwing harpoon the toggling butt is usually divided symmetri- 

 cally, formed like a fish-tail, and placed on the dorsal side so as to allow 

 ample space for the movable foreshaft. It is called pamia, 271. Some- 

 times the bipartite symmetrical terminal barb may have its two points 

 placed almost in the vertical plane (see Fig. 1, C). It is used especially 

 with small harpoons. In thrusting harpoons, but rarely in throwing 

 harpoons, there is a small hole in the terminal barb in which a small 

 piece of line may be attached that may help in hauling the harpoon 

 out of the wound. ^ 



The size of the harpoon. At Disco Bay the rule is that a har- 

 poon for universal use must be capable of being hidden in the hand, 

 so that only the blade protrudes. But if a hunter expects to catch White 

 Whale or Narwhal frequently, this size is too small ; the strength of these 

 animals and the loose consistency of their skin require a large harpoon, 

 otherwise it will be torn out.^ On the other hand, it is often difficult 

 to throw a common harpoon so that it pierces through the thick and 

 strong skin of the walrus. Here a small harpoon is more suitable ; as, if 

 only it is capable of resisting breakage it will not be torn out, but will hold 

 as well as the line and the float, nothwithstanding the enormous strength 

 of the walrus. The thrusting harpoons, also {kapissiniutit or kapissiutit, 

 plural of kapissiniut; kapissiut, derived from kapim, he stabs it, 169), 



^ The reason why this practical little contrivance is not found in every 

 thrusting harpoon is a psychological one. Only if the hunter by his skilfulness has 

 proved that he needs it, i. e. that he frequently catches several seals in succession, 

 will he be able to avoid ironical remarks such as: "Why, I see you intend catch- 

 ing many seals. I do hope you will not empty the sea entirely!" 



^ This is especially seen in the two forms of harpoons Steensby (Polar 

 Eskimos, p. 350) figures from Smith Sound. One, small and made entirely of 

 iron, for seals and walruses; another, large and of bone with iron blades for 

 whales. 



