102 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS (ETH. ANN. 38 
two hands (with their contained loop) widely apart after each sub- 
stitution. The completed cord is more or less flat (C) on one surface, 
convex (D) on the other, and in section (E) a trefoil, with one of 
the foils larger than the other two (WER, 11). 
46. Loop plaiting with five loops (fig.20).—Also among the Warrau. 
Here the cotton string, some 6 feet or so, is wound five times round 
the toe so as to give five loops. Two of these (a, 6) are held taut in 
the left hand (A), and three (c, d, e) in theright. In the former case, 
ais fixed on the thumb and first and second fingers and 6 on the third; 
in the latter ¢, d, e is supported on the first, second, and third fingers 
respectively. As the palms are here also turned up more or less in 
the process of manufacture, loop e is on a level lower than all the 
others. This is the first position. ‘‘Plaiting’’ is started by slipping 
Fic. 19.—Loop plaiting; with four loops. 
e, the lowest of the three, off the right third finger through a on to the 
left forefinger, which is flexed well over it, at the same time slipping 
a off the left thumb and forefinger on to the left middle finger (B); 
the plait is then tightened, by the free foot, an assistant, etc., in the 
manner already explained in the previous paragraph. The right 
thumb is next inserted into ¢ and the right third finger into d at the 
same time that the right middle finger is taken out of it and placed in 
c, the whole being tightened again. This, the second position (C), 
is practically the reverse of the first. Plaitmg is again started by 
slipping 6, the lowest of the three, off the left third finger through ce 
on to the right forefinger, which is flexed well over it, at the same 
time slipping ¢ on to the right middle finger and then tightening as 
before; the left thumb is now inserted in e and the left third finger 
into a at the same time that the left middle finger is taken out of it 
