86 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [ETH.AXN. 18 



handle about four inches long, crossed with diagonal, zigzag, etched 

 lines, and scored with a series of straight lines running its length, with 

 a groove around it near each end. In the end of the handle is wedged 

 a. short, straight, iron blade about two inches in length with a heavy 

 back and a sharp edge. At the other extremity of the handle is a 

 rawhide loop fastened into a hole by a wedge. 



Figure 25 of this plate, from Hotham inlet, has the blade fastened 

 to the handle by two iron rivets; the upper surface of the handle is 

 grooved for about four inches next the blade to enable a firm grasp; 

 the under surface of the handle is excavated. In the handle two holes 

 are pierced for fastening the end of a cord by which a leather sheath is 

 attached. 



Figure 22, from Hotham inlet, has the blade attached in the same 

 manner as the preceding and has a handle of similar shape. Instead of 

 grooves, as in the preceding specimen, this knife has a series of holes 

 pierced along the front of the handle extending upward for about four 

 inches, through which are passed two rawhide cords; these are wound 

 around a narrow strip of wood, holding it in place against the front 

 edge of the handle to give a better grip for the hand. Attached to the 

 handle is a leather sheath. 



Figure 19, from Norton sound, has a handle of two parts; the lower 

 piece, to which the blade is riveted, is of bone, and the upper of wood. 

 They are neatly joined by a close wrapping of spruce root. 



Figure 28, from St Michael, has the blade fitted into a groove or slit 

 made in the inner edge of the bone handle, which is wrapped with a 

 stout rawhide cord to hold the blade in place, and has three ships 

 etched upon it. 



CHISELS 



A flat, round-pointed, chisel-like implement of bone is in common 

 use for making incised grooves in wood preparatory to splitting it for 

 use in the manufacture of various articles. Specimens of these tools 

 were obtained at different localities from the mouth of the Kuskokwim 

 northward to Kotzebue sound. 



Plate xxxvui, 14, represents a typical implement of this kind from 

 Kotzebue sound. It is made of bone and has a sinew cord forming a 

 loop for suspension passed through a hole near the head of the instru 

 ment. Another specimen, from Kushuuuk (plate xxxvm, 12), is similar 

 in form, but slenderer. 



Plate xxxvui, 10, from Sledge island, is a small tool of this character 

 made of reindeer horn. It is very slender; the handle is bent at an 

 angle with the shank and has the top neatly carved in the form of a 

 reindeer hoof. The thin, narrow point is used for making small inci 

 sions in the wood of arrow or spear shafts for the purpose of inserting 

 feathers, also for making little slits in which are fastened the ends of 

 sinew wrappings of spears, arrows, or other implements. 



