274 PROCEEDIXGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. tol. 40. 



Math. — Formed of clay mixed with fiber. The front represents a 

 human face of not unpleasing appearance and having both lip and 

 chin whiskers of black goat hair. The back of the mask bears in 

 relief a strange animal figure (lizard X) whose body forms a handle by 

 which the mask is suspended from a leather strap. This mask, as 

 stated by the collector, was said to have been worshiped by the Gall as 

 of Abyssinia. "The Gall as are not of a Semitic origin, as are the 

 Abyssinians proper, nor are they Christians. They worship trees in 

 many parts of the country and they also reverence various objects to 

 which they make sacrifices. The specimen was the only one seen in 

 Abyssinia, and its proper use and authenticity can not be vouched 

 for." — (Information given by Mr. Philip.) 



Length, 6J inches; width, 5 inches. 



PI. 30, fig. 1. Cat. No. 261887, U.S.N.M. 



UTENSILS. 



Spoon. — Cut from cow's horn; the bowl slightly shallow and spatu- 

 late. The end of the handle is ornamented with roundels. ''Eating 

 utensils of any kind, with the exception of the knife, are very rare 

 among all inhabitants of Abyssinia and are practically unknown to 

 the great mass of the population. Raw meat is the most favored 

 article of food among the Abyssinians." The specimen is from the 

 Gallas. — (Information given by Mr. Philip.) 



Length, 8^ inches. 



PL 30, fig.2. Cat. No. 261854, U.S.N.M. 



Headrest. — Carved from a single piece of yellow wood. The deco- 

 ration consists of scores cut into the surface, forming simple pat- 

 tern. Previous to cutting the pattern the wood was blackened. 

 On top and bottom the pillow is painted dark brown. Used by 

 south Abyssinian natives. 



Width, 7 inches; height, 6f inches. 



PL 30, fig. 3. Cat. No. 261855, U.S.N.M. 



ZOOTECHNY. 



Lasso. — Of giraffe hide thong 1 inch wide, the throwing end consist- 

 ing of two back and forward turns of the leather lashed just above the 

 running loop. The inner member of these thongs slides like a slip 

 noose through a slit cut in the end of the leather thong. The lasso 

 appears to be for the capture of large and dangerous animals and is 

 ingeniously designed to allow the quarry when caught by the foot or 

 neck to pull and tear at the extra bands, each motion drawing the 

 sliding noose tighter. Used by the Boranna, Abyssinian Gallo- 

 Hamites, who inhabit the Boranna province adjoining British Somali- 

 land (southeast Abyssinia). 



Length, 22 feet, 



PL 31. Cat, No. 261878, U.S.N.M. 



