164 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [ETH. ANN, 18 
Figure 8, plate Lx111, represents a pair of bullet molds, from Chalit- 
mut, made from two small blocks of slate neatly hollowed out and set 
in wooden blocks, united by pins and corresponding holes so that the 
faces of the molds are brought squarely together; there is a conical 
hole at the top by means of which lead can be poured into the mold. 
Figure 16, plate LXx11, represents a bullet starter, from Cape Van- 
couver, for use in muzzle-loading guns; it is made of wood and has a 
bone handle. Figure 15, plate Lx11, shows another bullet starter 
made entirely of bone, which was obtained at Anogogmut. 
Nearly all the guns in use at present among the Eskimo are muzzle- 
loaders, and the ingenuity of the natives is displayed in the many 
forms of cap boxes, powder chargers, and flasks*made by them. 
A common style of cap box is made of wood, flattened and rectangu- 
lar in shape, with a sliding cover. Some of these are plain, others 
have their surfaces cut into a variety of patterns. Figure 28, plate 
LXIU, from Pastolik; figure 30 of the same plate, from Cape Nome; 
and figure 29, from Sledge island, are examples of this style of box. 
Other small wooden cap boxes are rounded in cross section, broadest 
at the base, and tapering toward the top, where they are truncated 
and fitted with a wooden stopper. Figure 17, plate LX1u, illustrates 
one of these boxes, obtained at Cape Vancouver. It has a series of 
grooves around the sides. 
Figure 27, plate Lxm1, from Kushunuk, is a round-sided box, shaped 
like a truncated cone, with a separate piece fitted in the bottom. Fig- 
ure 6 of the same plate, from Kowak river, is another tapering box of 
this kind, with the top turned out to form a lip, under which is fas- 
tened a rawhide cord for attaching the box to the hunting bag. 
Another curious style of box, made to contain a few caps in each 
end, illustrated in figure 1, plate Lx, was obtained at St Michael. 
It is a long, cylindrical box, largest in the middle and tapering toward 
both ends, which are truncated. It consists of two pieces, excavated, 
neatly fitted together, and fastened by sinew cords. Extending cross- 
wise through the middle is a wooden pin for the attachment of the cord 
which fastens the box to the hunting bag. A little wooden stopper is 
inserted in each end. 
Other cap boxes are made of ivory, cut into various forms, with a 
stopper in one end and the other closed by a piece of wood which is 
held in position by rivets. Figure 4, plate Lx111, from Cape Nome; 
figure 5 of the same plate, from Norton sound; figure 7, from Nubviuk- 
chugaluk; and figure 2, from Kaviak peninsula, illustrate specimens 
of these boxes. 
Powder chargers are even more varied in form, and show more inge- 
nuity in design than the cap boxes. 
Figure 8, plate LXx1rI, is a small charger, made of bone, with a long, 
round, wooden cap box attached to it bya sinewcord. It was obtained 
at Norton bay. 
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