462 THOMAS THOMSEN 



in the two real implements they narrow in considerably at the hin- 

 der end, while the holding part is very broad. In the case of a toy 

 model, however, it would not be wise to trust overmuch to fidelity 

 of detail. One feature common to both the previous specimens is 

 the fact that the hole for the bone peg of the shaft is placed very close 

 to the end at the holding part; the same is also indicated in the 

 case of the throwing stick from Renskaeret, as we may doubtless 

 suppose the hollow visible in the middle line of the specimen to be 

 the beginning of the hole intended to receive the bone peg. 



Of toys having no connection with the future occupation of the 

 child, the only specimen in the collection is the disc of a spinning 

 top (L. 4057) from Rypefjeldet, shown in PI. XXV, 27. It measures 

 7*5 x 5-2 cm., a hole for the stick is seen in the middle. A disc found 

 by RYDER at Scoresby Sound l was of the same oblong form. 



The widely popular game of ajagaq, a kind of cup and ball, or 

 ring and pin, which is known under one form or another throughout 

 the Eskimo region and great parts of the Indian territory, 2 is here 

 represented by the piece of bone shown in PI. XV, Fig. 7, (L. 3676) 

 from tent 328 on the east shore of Stormbugt. The specimen is of 

 extremely primitive workmanship, fashioned very roughly from 

 the humerus of a seal. At the lower end of the bone, 7 holes have 

 been bored, otherwise, no further shaping has been attempted, save 

 that the tubercle has been removed. 



When in use, the bone would be fastened to one end of a string, 

 the other end of which is tied to a sharpened stick held by the 

 player, whose aim is to throw up the bone and catch it on the point 

 of the stick ; hence the holes in the former. The present specimen 

 is not pierced for the string, as is frequently found to be the case; 

 in this instance, the string must have been tied round the bone. 3 



Although the main principle of the game is the same, the pieces 

 of bone used exhibit considerable difference, even within restricted 

 areas of West Greenland. 4 At Angmagsalik, the method is simplified; 

 here, a hollow bone is used, often without other holes than those 

 offered by the natural cavity. 5 



The form used in North-east Greenland is also found in four 



1 RYDER I, p. 336, Fig. 35. 



2 Cf. CULIN, pp. 527 et seq. 



3 In one of the houses 52224 at Rypefjeldet a fragmentary humerus was found 

 with the tubercle cut off in the same way (L. 4034). It has presumably been 

 intended for the same purpose, but this cannot be said with certainty, as the 

 lower end of the bone is lacking. A hole near the shoulder joint was probably 

 designed for the string. 



4 Cf. PORSILD II, p. 228, Fig. 6'2. 



5 Cf. THALBITZER II, p. 656, Fig. 381 and p. 658, Fig. 387. 



