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 
along pursuit, another line, like that shown in figure 9, plate. LIV, 1s 
made fast through the semilunar 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 east 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 
