138 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [ETH. ANN. 38 
splits—to a depth of 7 or 8 inches, and the pith more or less removed 
from below up, and each quadrant divided again by secondary splits 
(fig. 36 A, a,b,c). After removing some more pith (d,e), the four 
primary splits are extended throughout the length of the stem by 
gradually and carefully separating them with the hands held later- 
ally (B). The secondary split in each quadrant is next extended in 
similar fashion, with the result that, from each itiriti eight strands 
Pic. 86.—Preparation of itiriti (A-#) and mamuri (/’) strands. 
are derived. If an unusually large stem, the Warrau, as well as, 
the Arawak, occasionally may split each quadrant into three, so as 
to derive 12 instead of 8 strands, but under these circumstances they 
are said never to split evenly, and the procedure is not orthodox. 
Where the circular nick has been made in each of these eight strands, 
the knife (C) slices downward in such a way as to separate an outer 
from an inner (more pithy) portion, which portions are next split 
apart by using the inner side of the nail of the left forefinger as a 
wedge, and gradually but firmly pulling on the inner of the two por- 
tions with the right hand (D). The nail of an expert basket maker is’ 
