RoTH] WEAPONS: HUNTING AND FIGHTING 167 
kusi, Trio, Oyana, Carib, etc., for fish, and, except in the Carib speci- 
mens, is not feathered. Barrére figures from Cayenne a feathered 
five-pronged arrow, the possiru, which was used both for fishing and 
for warfare (PBA, 169). 
142. The atémo is one of the two harpoon arrows used by the 
Arawak (fig. 55 A). It has the entire harpoon made of iron, and 
consists of a double-barbed tip, below which are a pair of smaller 
barbs projecting in a plane at right angles to it. It is loosely fitted 
onto the head of the arrow and is connected by a strong cord of 
varying length with the shaft, around which it is wound when ready 
for use. This arrow is also met with among the Carib and Warrau, 
and is intended for any big fish, especially morokot, and for labba. 
It is not feathered. The ta-waut or sawato harpoon arrow (B) of 
Fig. 55.—Arrow; head composite and detachable. Harpoon arrow. 
the Wapishana and Makusi, respectively, is practically identical with 
the Arawak at6mo. The only difference is in the method of attach- 
ment, etc., of the connecting rope, which is retained in the hand. In 
this case there is one loop on the butt end of the shaft and another 
on the harpoon. The rope is attached, tied, to the former, passed 
through the latter, back again through the harpoon loop, and again 
through the one at the shaft butt, whence, after being put up in con- 
venient coils, it is finally tied onto the hunter’s left forefinger or left 
wrist. This arrow is not feathered. It is employed for shooting the 
stronger kinds of fish—e. g., pacu. 
148. The kartimera, the other Arawak harpoon arrow (fig. 55 
C), has its entire head constituting the harpoon, which is formed of a 
wooden pencil with an iron double-barbed tip, and a single barb be- 
low projecting in the same plane. It is loosely fitted onto the shaft, 
which is peculiar in being made of moraballi, and is attached to it 
by a cord in the same manner as the atémo. Employed in hunting 
bush hog and other big game, the shaft, once freed, is intended to 
check the speed of the beast when rushing through the under- 
