408 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF GUIANA INDIANS [BTH, ANN. 38 
493. The following is a somewhat easier method of finishing the 
article (fig. 221): When you decide to complete and are ready to 
insert your last mesh stick, replace it with two cords (a, &), which 
are next’ pushed apart, and then take a third cord (c), placing it be- 
tween and alternately with the other two, so that when all are tied 
the mesh is locked. The length of these cords extends to about that 
of the sling, and their free extremities are decorated with tassels, 
etc. (sec. 500). 
494, The easiest procedure of all, however, is what I have seen in 
some of the Makusi articles, where the final locking is effected with 
two cords only (fig. 222). ; 
495. It will have been noticed that in the making of this particular 
baby sling with only 40 strings for purely model purposes it has 
been quite feasible to insert the middle 
finger below the mesh stick through- 
out its entire width. But in the real 
article for domestic use this would be 
impossible, the finger being accord- 
ingly passed only under as many 
strands as may be convenient, then 
inserting the mesh stick and with- 
drawing the finger. Indeed, it may 
possibly have to be inserted as much 
as three times for the completion of 
each row. Furthermore, it will also 
have been noted, as the completed 
rows on the front surface gradually 
reach the top, that the presence of the 
= crossbar interferes with the proper 
Fig. 222.—Manufacture of two-and- . . 
two pattern baby sling. The Working of the fingers. The cure is to 
third and easiest method of oj] the whole sling bodily down the 
locking. 9 é 5 
frame until the portion of the article 
under manipulation reaches about the center of it. To be more exact, 
after the front inch or two has been completed the whole sling is rolled 
downward until the last completed row is just above the lower cross- 
bar and the “ plaiting” continued. When rather more than a quarter 
of the length of the frame has been thus completed and rolled down- 
ward and the corresponding quarter automatically made by pushing 
the mesh sticks over the top, ete., of the frame the result will be that 
the whole front of the frame becomes free for further plaiting. There 
is therefore now no more need for passing the mesh sticks over the 
top crossbar, but only to push them up the front until taut. 
496. To manufacture the two-and-one pattern of baby sling the 
preliminaries are identical with those of the two-and-two variety up 
id 
