IMPLEMENTS USED IN SEAL HUNTING. 



493 



entire body being pulled through the mouth, which is enlarged by 

 means of a cut along the throat. The nails of the flippers are fre- 

 quently extracted and the openings sewed up, the hind flippers and the 

 tail being cut ofi: and firmly tied together by a thong, thus forming a 

 neck (ataiita), to which the harpoon line is attached. At the head a 

 pipe for blowing up the skin (poviutang) is inserted (Fig. 427); the 

 skin is firmly tied to the ring of the pipe, on which the stopper is 

 secured as soon as the skin is sufiiciently inflated. This device is a 

 very convenient one, for it is difificult to inflate the skin withoiit 

 some kind of movithpiece. If there are any holes in the float they 

 are closed by a button similar to the one shown in Fig. i'i7 a, which, 

 however, is without a hole. 



Fig. 427. Different styles of ix)viutang or pipe for mflatms tUe float. (National Mubeum.Wabhing- 

 ton. a, 299SG; 6, 34118; c, 34119; d, 34130.) 



If the harpoon is to be used for hunting large animals, such as 

 walrus or whales, a very ingenious contrivance is sometimes inserted 



between the liiiH and flic float in Uu' sliajM. ,,f a w I.mi liuup with a 



sral ny ,|,.,.i- skill stivt.lH'd .,v,.i- it ( ii i iit.i ii,-) (sr.. Fi-, |:;; ). Tlllv,- ,,r 

 four tliougs .,f (.(^ual Inigtli aiv rastiii,.,! 1,, tlir lioupat .Mpial dislaiires 

 and bound together. At their point of union they are attached to 

 the line. As soon as a walrus is struck and starts to swim away, the 

 honyi is thrown at right angles to the stretched line and exerts a 

 stroiii;- ivsistan<-e wlieii ili-agged along, thus dimini.sliim;- llie speeil of 

 the animal ami iiuickly exhausting its strength. The float prevents 

 its escape, as it is too buoyant to be drawn under water. The animal 

 cannot dive, and thus the hunter does not lose sight of his' prey. 



For small seals a similar weapon is used, the ngdliaq (Fig. 428), 



