276 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [ETH, ANN. 38 
When at the side, the excavation may take place along its whole edge 
(L, M) or only at its middle (N, O, P, Q, R, S) or upper extremity 
(X, Y). If at the base, there will be a risk of loss of stability, and 
hence this variation is only met with in those stools which are in- 
ordinately low or inordinately strong (D, E, F, Z, AA). If the 
removal is effected at the center, the resulting aperture is either 
rectangular (M, T, U, W), triangular (O, S, Y), or circular (R). 
Should the stool be an extra large one there may be two rectangular 
openings, giving rise to three limbs, legs, or supports, as observed on 
the Moruca River (CC), on the Uaupes River (KG, 1, 139), and else- 
where. As a stool or seat the article is complete so far as the com- 
bination of symmetry, shape, strength, and weight allows. Whatever 
else it may be subjected to, such as shaving down, scooping out, paint- 
ing, and carving (G, H, R,S, AA, BB, CC), is a secondary develop- 
ment, a matter of decoration and ornament, whatever 
creature is represented being made to fit the stool. The 
stool has not originally been designed to represent 
either animal or bird. The only exception I can call to 
mind of the wings of a stool being excavated in such a 
manner as to fit the animal is the “ praying mantis ” 
seat of the Makusi (BB), where the insect’s front pair 
of legs are indisputable (pl. 66 B). 
330. As to asymmetrical forms there is a three- 
legged stool met with throughout the country of these 
same Makusi—a triangular seat with a leg projecting 
from each corner (pl. 66 C). It is known to these 
isa people as the baby, and represents an infant in the 
cir) carrying position of sitting astride its mother’s hips, the manner 
the baby stool. after which the children of the household may often 
be seen playing with it (fig. 82). The notch across one edge of the 
seat indicates the fold of the buttocks. Three-legged stools with and 
without animal presentations were used among the Antilleans. 
331. Whenever comparatively large-sized “turtle” are abundant 
the carapace may be used as a seat—e. g., Wapishana, Atorai (Cou, 
mu, 311), Makusi. 
332. There are also some among them (Island Carib) who have 
little tables, mattitu, plaited from the leaves of a kind of palm which 
is called the latanier. They are fixed on four wooden pillars (RO, 
472, 490). These relics of the past were evidently analogous with 
the large basketry cassava trays, fixed on four wooden legs, as met 
with on the mainland among various Carib and Arawak stocks at 
the present day (sec. 405). 
333. The babracote (fig. 83) may be made of three sticks stuck 
into the ground like a pyramid, tied together at their tops, and sup- 
