228 



THE POINT BAEUOW ESKIMO. 



The commonest method is that already described. When the longer 

 end is doubled over, a slit is cut through both parts close to the end of 



this through which the shorter end is passed. 

 A slit is then cut a few inches from the tip 

 of this part, the bight of the becket passed 

 through this slit and all drawn taut. This 

 makes a very strong splice. Fourteen beck- 

 ets are spliced in this way. A variation of 

 this splice has a slit only through the end 

 part of the longer end, the shorter end be 

 ing passed through and slit as before. In 

 one becket the standing part of the longer 

 end is passed through the slit of the end 

 part before going through the line hole, 

 while the rest of the becket is made as be 

 fore. A reversed splice is found on three 

 of the leaders, which is made as follows: 

 When the long end is doubled over, the 

 short end is slit as usual and the longer end 

 passed through this and slit close to the 

 tip. Through this slit is passed the head 

 and all drawn taut. The splice is always 

 firmly seized with sinew braid. The main 

 line, which serves to attach the head to the 

 float, is always made of stout thong, prefer 

 ably the skin of the bearded seal (very fine 



FIG. 219. AValrus-harpoon head, 

 line. 



lines are sometimes 



made of beluga skin), 



about one -third inch 



square, and, when prop 



erly made, trimmed off 



on the edges so as to 



be almost round. It is 



about 10 yards long. 



It is fastened into the 



becket of the leader 



with a becket hitch tied 



upside down (No. 50771 [535], Fig. 218), or by means of 



made either as on the specimen described (No. 50770 



spliced with double slits. The long becket at the other 





with liur. 



a small 

 5], Fig. 

 end for 



becket, 

 210), or 

 attach- 



