FOURTKKNTH ANNUAL MEETING. 67 



danger. So he is compelled to make use of some means which 

 will both answer the purpose of giving the required force to his 

 spear and avoid the danger incurred without its use. He cannot 

 use the bow in giving the required force to the spear, necessary 

 in harpooning the seal. It is very difficult to use either a bow 

 or firearm in a boat. So he is driven to the use of this inven- 

 tion, happily hitting upon the device of the throwing-stick. 



The principle upon which the instrument is used, is this : The 

 fisher takes the throwing-stick in his right hand, usually with 

 spear firmly pressed down in the groove of the stick with the 

 fingers. He then brings it up, throwing it a little back over the 

 right shoulder. There is a little hook, generally of ivory, at the 

 upper end of the groove of the stick in which the spear rests, 

 which fits in a notch made in the end of the spear. After gel- 

 ting the weapon in position, without moving his body, he gives 

 a swift and abrupt motion forward, the spear darting from the 

 throwing-stick with great rapidity, the fingers having been 

 raised to allow its passage. 



An interesting fact has grown out of the study of the throw- 

 ing-stick, namely, that it is in use in only three different regions 

 of the world : In x\ustralia in a very simple form, with a hole 

 for the forefinger ; in South America and among the Esqui- 

 maux of North America. In those three localities alone is it 

 used. 



I shall give you a brief description of some individual speci- 

 mens, and let you look at the others when I am through talk- 

 ing. We will commence with this one from Greenland (show- 

 ing specimen). There is a groove for the spear, notches on op- 

 posite sides for thumb and forefinger, a small hole midway in 

 the groove, near the notches, for a peg, which is inserted in the 

 shaft of the spear. Instead of a hook at the opposite end, 

 there is an oblique hole in the ivory, into which another peg near 

 the end of the spear fits. The next is from Cumberland gulf 

 (showing specimen). Very clumsy and roughly made, a groove 

 for the spear, a hole for the forefinger, a notch for the thumb, 

 also three notches on opposite side for the fingers. A goose- 

 spear is also used with this one, which when thrown at the goose 

 just as likely hits the gander. Ungava bay (showing specimen). 



