MURDOCH.) 
WHALE 
HARPOONS. 
239 
lorrg in proportion as represented on the two models is shown by Fig. 
236, No. 89744 [969], the only specimen obtained with any part of the 
lineattached. A piece of stout wal- 
rus-hide thong 2 feet long is passed 
through the line-hole and doubled 
in two equal parts, which are firmly 
stopped together with sinew about 
2 inches from the head. Another 
piece of similar thong 4 feet 2 inches 
long is also doubled into two equal 
parts and the ends firmly spliced to < 
those of the short piece thus: The 
two ends of the long piece are slit 
and one end of the short piece passed 
through each slit. One of these ends 
is then slit and through it are passed 
the other end of the short piece and 
the bight of the 
long piece, and all 
is drawn taut and 
securely seized 
with sinew. The 
becket thus 
the float line. 
ing. 
cient pattern. 
Fic. 237.—Foreshaft of 
whale harpoon. 
Fic. 236.—W hale harpoon head with “leader.” 
formed was probably looped directly into the bight of 
The foreshaft is much larger than that of the model, 
though of the same shape. 
from Utkiaywin, is of walrus-ivory and 15.8 inches 
long with a diameter of 15 inches at the butt. 
oblong slot at the beginning of the chamfer is to 
receive the end of the lashing which secured this to 
the shaft. This form of foreshaft is very well adapted 
to insure the unshipping of the toggle-head, but lacks 
the special advantage of the loose-shaft, namely, that 
under a violent lateral strain it unships without break- 
The question at once suggests itself, why was 
not the improvement that is used on all the other 
harpoons applied to this one? 
reason for this is the same as for retaining the form 
of toggle-head, which, as I have shown, is of an an- 
No. 56537 [97], Fig. 237, 
The 
In my opinion, the 
, 
That is to say, the modern whale harpoon is the 
saine pattern that was once used for all harpoons, 
preserved for superstitious reasons. 
known fact, that among many peoples implements, 
It is a well 
ideas, and language have been preserved in connection with religious 
