138 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [ETH.ANN. 18 



back and is looped to the lower end of a strong sealskin line six to 

 eight fathoms long, connecting the spearhead with the float, which 

 consists of the entire skin of a seal with all of the openings closed and 

 having a nozzle by means of which it is inflated. A cord loop in the 

 front end serves to attach it to the end of the float line, which also 

 has a permanent loop for this purpose. 



The float-board consists of a strong, oval hoop of spruce made in two 

 U -shape pieces, with the ends brought together and beveled to form 

 a neatly fitting joint, which is wrapped firmly with a lashing of spruce 

 root; the sides have holes by which a thin board is fastened to the 

 under side, the ends of which are notched in front to form a coarsely 

 serrated pattern with five points that are inserted in slots cut in the 

 front of the hoop. The front of the board is oval, and the sides taper 

 gradually to the points of two projecting arms, which extend four or 

 five inches behind the bow; between these arms a deep slot is cut, 

 with the inner border rounded. The board has a round hole in the 

 center and a crescentic hole on each side (plate LIV, 10). 



On the kaiak the float-board is placed in front of the hunter, with 

 the arm-like points thrust beneath the cross lashing to hold it in posi 

 tion, and upon it lies the coil of float line with the spear attached and 

 resting on the spear guards on the right rail of the boat; the end of 

 the line is passed back under the hunter s right arm to the float which, 

 fully inflated, rests on the deck just back of the manhole. 



When the spear is thrown the coil runs off rapidly and the float is 

 thrown overboard. In some cases, when the prey is vigorous and leads 

 a long pursuit, another line, like that shown in figure 9, plate Liv, is 

 made fast through the semilimar orifices in the center of the float-board, 

 which latter, when drawn through the water by means of this cord, 

 assumes a position nearly at a right angle to the course of the animal 

 and forms a heavy drag to impede its progress. 



When hunting on the ice the float-board, with the line coiled upon it, 

 is carried in the left hand of the hunter and the spear in the right hand 

 while he watches along the borders of the leads or holes for the appear 

 ance of the seal. When he succeeds in striking it, he holds firmly to 

 the line until the animal is exhausted, or if necessary the float-board 

 attached to the line is cast into the water, while the hunter hurries to 

 his kaiak and embarks in pursuit. 



In addition to the smaller spears used in connection with the throw 

 ing stick and float-board, larger spears are used to cast directly from 

 the hand. These spears have a stout wooden shaft from four to seven 

 feet long, with a finger-rest of bone or ivory lashed on at about one- 

 third of its length from the butt. The head is of bone or ivory, rounded 

 and fitted to the wooden shaft by lashings in a manner similar to that of 

 the smaller spears. It is pierced near the base for the reception of the 

 line by which it is attached to the shaft. Several feet of this line are 

 wound about the shaft, so that when the point is detached the cord will 

 unwind and the shaft will form a drag to impede the animal in its efforts 



