100 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [ETH. ANN. 33 
the free end of the topmost strand (c), let us say the right (for 
descriptive purposes), loop it around the handle, and, passing it under 
itself, pull it out on the left-hand side (D). Now approximate to the 
others and tighten (E). Next, commence with the free end of the 
topmost strand on the left, loop it around the handle as before, and, 
passing it under itself, pull it out on the right-hand side. Taking thus 
each topmost strand alternately right and left, and repeating the 
A B 
a 
a 
a 
a 
Fig. 16.—Strand plaiting combined with overeasting. 
process, there is ultimately derived the figure diagrammatically 
shown in F. 
44. Overcasting (fig. 17) is employed by Arawak for the fixation 
of smaller-sized feathers to strings. Around the toe or other suitable 
support some three or four skeins of cotton string, according to the 
thickness of completed cord required, are wound., These are tied 
above by the end of cotton attached to the ball, which now passes 
in and out between the two halves of the skeins so as to overcast them. 
