45 



Fig. 53. 



This article serves, not 



ornament, but is also used 



in wfiich various imple- 



weapons are carried, by 



thrusting them between belt and body. 



A warrior was observed carrying a 



stone tomahawk in this manner, and, in order 



to stop the swinging of the dependent handle 



in his movements, it was made to rest in the 



cleft of his buttocks. See fig. 53. 



The spiral belts of stringy-bark have already 

 been alluded to. Their length, when uncoiled, 

 measures up to eight feet, their width three 

 inches. See pi. ii. 

 Puhic Tassel. — In the description of various ceremonies 

 the pubic tassel has been mentioned. It consists of a great 

 number of twisted strands of opossum fur, 

 bound to a central piece, which is tied to 

 the waistband, either by two separate ter- 

 minal strings, or by means of a thick, single 

 one, passing from the top of the tassel. See 

 fig. 54. In the latter case, the string ends 

 in a large knot, that is simply tucked under- 

 neath the waistband. 



The tassel i;s, at times, replaced by the 

 shell of the pearl oyster (Meleagrma mar- 

 garitifera), two holes being, for this purpose, 

 drilled near the hinge-line, to receive a 

 string, whose ends are attached to a thick 

 Fig. 54. knot or small rod, passed under the belt. 



The shell is usually worn with its edge and 

 rough exterior surface ground smooth. 



Tribal Communications. 



"Message-sticks." — A tribe, desirous of carrying on strife 

 with its rival, sends to them a well-known message-stick by a 

 messenger. Among others, two types prevail that are used 

 according to whether the trouble is the result of disagree- 

 ment between the men from sundry causes, independently, 

 of the women, or whether it has been caused by a woman — 

 e.g., a case in which a man has stolen a wife from a strange 

 tribe, and the rightful owner wishes to avenge the theft. 



In the former case, the 'message-stick" consists of two 

 equal internodes of reed, about one inch in length, squared 

 off at the ends by cutting and subsequent burning on a red- 

 hot piece of charcoal. These are tied together, side by side, 

 Avith fur-string, which passes through the length of both 

 reeds, and is knotted into a loop at one end. See fig. 55. 





