NELSON] SPEAR AND PADDLE GUARDS POAT 
In many cases these spear guards are made in the form of various 
animal figures. : 
Figures 72 and 73 represent a pair of beautifully made ivory guards 
from Kaialigamut. One of them (figure 72) has the broad outer sur- 
face carved to represent grotesque semihuman features, and the upper 
end represents the face of a seal, while on the two sides are the figures 
of white whales. On the other (figure 73), on both sides, are carved 
semihuman faces, and on each side is the figure of a seal in relief, and 
terminating in the head of a seal. 
These are all beautifully executed 
carvings. 
A guard from Cape Vancouver 
(figure 12, plate LXXv1i1) is in the 
form of a hand, with the palm 
pierced and a tuft of seal hair set 
in the back and held in place by a 
wooden plug. Another, from Cape 
Nome (figure 5, plate LXXVIII), is 
carved in the shape of the head of a white bear. A rounded guard with 
truncated end (figure 13, plate Lxxvur) is from Sfugunugumut. A 
specimen from Agiukchugumut (figure 11, plate Lx xvii) is in the form 
of the head and shoulders of a human being, with the hands repre- 
sented by a flipper etched on each shoulder. Another example from 
Cape Nome (figure 6, plate Lxxv1i1) is in the shape of the head of a 
white bear, with fragments of blue beads representing the eyes and 
another bead inlaid on the top of the head. 
On Nunivak island a somewhat different form of guard is made. It 
is carved 1n the shape of a seal or other animal, with the body some six 
or seven inches in length, and has 
a hole passing diagonally through 
the side, through which are passed 
the cross-cords. These figures 
then lie diagonally along the cover 
near the rail with the heads point- 
ing upward. 
Figure 14, plate LXXVIII, repre- 
sents one of these guards, which 
is in the form of a land otter. 
Figure 2, plate LXXVIII, shows an ivory guard, obtained at Kotzebue 
sound, of a pattern different from those generally used. The portion 
which rests on the cover of the kaiak is rounded above and tapers 
downward to a wedge-shape point; the upright part forms an obtuse 
point, which curves forward from the base. A similar guard, made 
from deerhorn, was obtained on Sledge island. 
For repairing broken ribs or for strengthening weak places in the 
frames of umiaks and kaiaks, strips of ivory or deerhorn are used as 
’ 
Fic. 72—Ivory spear guard for kaiak (3). 
Fia. 73—Ivory spear gnard for kaiak (3). 
