String-Figures from the Upper Potaro. 125 
the finger and separate the hands. Place each wrist loop on the corresponding 
index finger without twisting (Fig. 10). 
Passing each thumb on the distal side of the index loops, take up on its 
dorsum from the proximal side, the strings between the ring and little fingers. 
Return the thumbs to position and place on their distal ends that 
part of the index loop which is between the index fingers and the thumb. 
Fig. 10. The River. 
Release the first loop put on the thumbs by pulling it over the second and 
the end of the thumb. There will be a triangle formed between each thumb 
and index finger. Place each index finger in its triangle from the distal side 
and continue the twisting of the hands (toward the body, then down, then out) 
at the same time releasing the little fingers. If the thumbs and index 
fingers are not kept well apart the figure will be narrow. I suggested to the 
Indians that this was the dry season. They laughingly agreed, but I do not 
think they had thought of it before as they immediately made wet and dry 
season rivers for each other. This figure is exactly like “ Osage diamonds ” 
of Mrs. Jayne, but it is arrived at in a very different way and the interpre- 
tation is different. Crickety called it Pis, or river. 
STAR. 
Position 1. The next step is a variation of opening A in that the index 
fingers take up the palmar strings from the distal side instead of from the 
Fig. 11. A Star. 
1 String Figures, 24. 
