228 THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 
The commonest method is that already described. When the longer 
end is doubled over, a slit is cut through both parts close to the end of 
this through which the shorter end is passed. 
A slit is then eut a few inches from the tip 
of this part, the bight of the becket passed 
through this slit and all drawn taut. This 
makes a very strong splice. Fourteen beck- 
ets are spliced in this way. <A variation of 
this splice has a slit only through the end 
part of the longer end, the shorter end be- 
ing passed through and slit as before. In 
one becket the standing part of the longer 
end is passed through the slit of the end 
part before going through the line hole, 
while the rest of the becket is made as be- 
® fore. A reversed splice is found on three 
| of the leaders, which is made as follows: 
1 When the long end is doubled over, the 
short end is slit as usual and the longer end 
passed through this and slit close to the 
tip. Throvgh this slit is passed the head 
and all drawn taut. The splice is always 
firmly seized with sinew braid. The main 
line, which serves to attach the head to the 
float, is always made of stout thong, prefer- 
ably the skin of the bearded seal (very fine 
oft it. 7 
Fic. 219.—Walrus-harpoon head, with 
line. 
lines are sometimes 
made of beluga skin), 
about one-third inch 
square, and, when prop- 
erly made, trimmed off 
on the edges so as to 
be almost round. It is 
about 10 yards long. 
It is fastened into the 
becket of the leader 
with a becket hitch tied IG. 220.—Walrus-harpoon head, with line. 
upside down (No, 56771 [535], Fig. 218), or by means of a small becket, 
made either as on the specimen described (No. 56770 [536], Fig. 219), or 
spliced with double slits. The long becket at the other end for attach- 
