62 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [eth.ann. 18 



it is hollow and has an ivory pin passing through its base, to which a 

 cord may be attached. 



In addition to the button-like objects described, other belt fasteners 

 are made in the form of hooks. These vary from plain hooks, as in 

 plate XXVII, 30, to the elaborately carved forms shown in this plate. 



Figure 26, from Agiukchiigumut, has its surface marked by incised 

 lines inclosing the eye at the base of the hook, passing thence to a 

 point, where they unite. A similar but larger specimen is more elab- 

 orately ornamented on its surface. 



Figure 27, from Chalitmut, represents a fish, and has an incision 

 along the entire length, following its outline. 



Figure 23, also from Chalitmut, is a square, flattened piece of ivory 

 with a slit-like notch cut in on one side to a hole in the center, and 

 with £i beveled edge on one face. Both surfaces are marked by heavily 

 incised lines. 



' Figure 28, from the mouth of the Yukon, is a rudely made hook with 

 the head of an animal carved upon the outer end, the other end being 

 pierced by a hole for the cord; along the back of the animal, from 

 between the ears, extends an incised line, from which other lines 

 extend diagonally down the sides as though outlining segments. 



Figure 29, from the northern end of Norton sound, is a curiously 

 made hook in the shape of a human figure, represented as sitting on 

 its legs with the body bent forward and the head supported by the 

 hands placed on either side of the face; the area inclosed between the 

 neck and the arms serves for attaching the belt cord, and the legs 

 extending forward and upward para,llel to the body serve as a hook 

 for insertion into the opposite loop. 



Figure 9, from Kushunuk, represents a rudely outlined, grotesque 

 human figure. • 



Figure 30, from Agiukchugumut, shows a plain hook with an eye 

 for the cord and two lines etched along the surface, surrounding the 

 eye and following the outline. 



The men and boys wear belts of various kinds. Sometimes these 

 inay be simply a rawhide cord or strap of tanned skin; more com- 

 monly, however, they are made of the skin taken from the feet of a 

 wolverine or wolf, the claws being left on. It is soft-tanned without 

 removing the hair and the edges are sewed together to make a continu- 

 ous band; on the back is sewed the skin of the animal's head, the 

 nose being attached to the belt and the tail fastened to the lower end. 

 These belts are highly prized, and it is very seldom that a man or a 

 boy, unless he be very poor, does not i^ossess his wolverine or wolf-skin 

 belt. It is supposed to give the wearer a certain strength and prowess 

 similar to those qualities in the animal from which the skin was taken. 



Belts representing the totem animal of the owner are also worn, and 

 sometimes the mummi fied bodies of the little weasel are jittached to them 

 in front, in the belief that some of the animal's prowess will be conveyed 



