246 THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 
These weapons are generally very much like the specimen described, 
but vary somewhat in the shape and material of the balls, which are 
sometimes simply ovoid or spherical, aud often made of single teeth of 
the walrus, instead of tusk ivory. Bone is also sometimes used. In 
former times, the astragalus bones of the reindeer, perforated through 
the ridge on one end were used for balls. No. 89490 [1342], is a pair of 
such bones tied together with a bit of thong, which appear to have been 
actually used. No, 89537 [1251] from Utkiavwin is a very old ball, 
which is small (1:1 inches long) and unusually flat. It appears to have 
been kept as a relic. 
There is very little information to be found concerning the extent of 
the region in which this implement is used, either in the Museum col. 
lections or in the writings of authors. A few points, however, have 
been made out with certainty. The bolas are unknown among all the 
Eskimo east of the Anderson River, and the only evidence that we 
have of their use at this point is an entry in the Museum catalogue, to 
which I have been unable to find a corresponding specimen. Dease and 
Simpson, in 1837, did not observe them till they reached Point Barrow.! 
They were first noticed by Beechey at Kotzebue Sound in 1826.2 Mr. 
Nelson’s collections show that they are used from Point Barrow along 
the Alaskan coast, at least as far south as the Yukon delta, and on St. 
Lawrence Island, while for their use on the coast of Siberia as far as 
Cape North, we have the authority of Nordenskiéld,’? and the Krause 
Brothers.* 
HUNTING IMPLEMENTS OTHER THAN WEAPONS. 
Floats.—I have already spoken of the floats (apott’/kptn) of inflated 
sealskin used in capturing the whale and walrus. We obtained one 
specimen, No. 73578 [538] Fig. 249. This is the whole skin, except the 
Fic. 249.—Seal skin float. 
head, of a male rough seal (Phoea feetida), with the hair out. The ear- 
cass was carefully removed without making any incision except round 
the neck and a few inches down the throat, and skinned to the very 
!'T. Simpson's Narrative, p. 156. 
2 Voyage, p. 574. 
3 Vega, vol. 2, p. 109, and Fig. 3, p. 105. 
4Geographische Blatter, vol. 5, pt. 1, p. 32. See also Rosse, Aretic Cruise of the Corwin, p. 34. 
