MI-RUOCH.J SNOWSHOES. 341) 



The loot-netting is of a very different pattern, and consists of seven 

 transverse and thirteen longitudinal strands, of which six, in the mid 

 dle, do not reach the toe bar, leaving an oblong transverse hole, 

 through which the toe presses against the snow at the beginning of 

 the step. The cross strands are a piece of stout thong (the, skin of the 

 walrus or bearded seal), to the end of which is spliced with double slits 

 a long piece of thinner seal thong, which makes the longitudinal ones. 

 The seven transverse strands pass in and out through holes in the rim, 

 while the longitudinal strands pass over the bars, except the middle 

 three pairs, which pass round the horizontal strand behind the toe 

 hole, drawing it down to the next strand. The end of the thirteenth 

 strand wattles these two firmly together, as it does also the two pairs 

 of longitudinal strands on each side of the toe hole, and finishes ott the 

 netting by whipping the two sets of strauds together with a &quot;bird 

 cage stitch.&quot; 



The object of the complicated wattling round the toe hole is, first, to 

 strengthen the hind border against which the toe presses in walking, 

 and second to give a firm attachment for the straps, which are fastened 

 at the junction of the doubled and twisted longitudinal strands witli 

 the first and second transverse ones. Each strap is a single piece of 

 stout seal thong fastened to the shoe with two loops as follows : At the 

 inner side of the shoe the end is passed into the toe hole and makes a 

 round turn about the doubled longitudinal strands, and then goes un 

 der the two cross strands, coming out behind them and between the 

 twelfth and thirteenth longitudinal strands. It is then spliced into the 

 standing part with two slits, making a becket about 3 inches in 

 diameter. The other end, leaving a loop large enough to go round the 

 wearer s heel, is passed through the becket just made, wound in the 

 same way as before round the strands at the other corner of the toe 

 hole, and made into a similar becket by knotting the end to the stand 

 ing part with a marlinghitch with the bight left in. On the right shoe 

 this hitch is made in a slit in the standing part. The end is probably 

 left long for the purpose of adjusting the length of the strap to the 

 wearer s foot. 



In putting on the shoe, the toe is thrust sideways through the loop 

 till the bight comes well up over the heel, and then turned round and 

 stuck under the two beckets, which together form a strap to fasten the 

 toe down to the shoe, leaving the latter free to swing when the heel is 

 raised. By reversing the process the shoe is easily kicked off. These 

 straps must be fitted very nicely or else the shoe is apt to come off. 

 This is a very neatly made pair of shoes, and the woodwork is all painted 

 red above. 



No. 89913 [ 1737 ] is a pair of similar shoes also from Utkiavwln. The 

 frame is made in the same way and is wholly of willow except the extra 

 hind bar, which is of walrus ivory. These shoes are shorter and some 

 what broader than the preceding and not so well made. They are 48v5 



