BOAS] GEOMETRIC FORMS 325 
other hand there is a new set of names introduced which owe their 
application entirely to the nature of the element. These are “‘eye 
contracting,” “big head,” “arrowhead,”’ and “snake.” <A study of 
sketches 522 to 535, together with their accompanying interpreta- 
tions, will make this point clear. In the series 536-538 the first and 
third are called bear’s foot, although this is only one of three names 
for sketch 536. Sketch 537, however, has four names, necklace, em- 
broidery, snake, and net, but necklace is the only term it shares with 
sketch 536. It is instructive to compare these with sketches 631 
and 632, whose names are “bear’s foot’’ and ‘“comb.’’ Evidently 
So OHS Et 100 
518 514 515 
> rgeee fy S 
OO WR 
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the triangles and the checks along the horizontal line are the deter- 
mining factor here in the assignment of meanings, but even so, there 
is no general rule; rather, vague resemblances often influence the in- 
terpreter to reach conclusions which others would regard as unsatis- 
factory. Distorted or truncated concentric diamonds such as those 
pictured in sketches 540 to 546 (p. 326) are flowers or stars. To 
truncated forms in general are ascribed a great variety of meanings, 
chief among which are arrowhead and leaf. The crosshatching in 
sketch 549 (pl. 89) is responsible for this figure being known as a 
beaver’s tail. 
