876 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [52] 



Seal, walrus, and sea-otter harpoons. 



Seal spear and bttoy. 



A short, heavy head of bone or horn, into which is driven a stout 

 staff of cedar, secured by a becket; wooden socket in the end 

 receives adjustable tip of bone, barbed on each side, to which 

 is fastened the line made of stout walrus or seal hide. On one 

 side of the staff, about its middle, is fastened a curved bone 

 pin, against which the forefinger presses to strengthen the 

 grip when hurling. A buoy, made of seal bladder, is attached 

 to staff near its butt. Length : staff, 39 inches ; head, 6 inches ; 

 tip, 2f inches. St. Michael's, Norton Sound, Alaska, 1876. 

 29,841. Collected by L. M. Turner. 



Seal harpoon and buoy. 



A short,. heavy head of bone or horn, into which is driven a stout 

 staff of cedar secured by a becket ; a wooden socket in the end 

 receives adjustable tip of bone, barbed on each side, to which 

 is fastened the line, made of stout walrus or seal hide ; on one 

 side of the staff, about its middle, is fastened a curved bone 

 pin, against which the forefinger presses to strengthen the 

 grip when hurling. A buoy made of seal bladder is attached 

 to staff near its butt. Length : staff, 49^ inches ; head 5 inches ; 

 tip, 2£ inches. St. Michael's, .Norton Sound, Alaska, 1878. 

 33,863. Collected by E. W. Nelson. 



Seal and beluga harpoon and buoy. 



A long, heavy head of bone or horn, into which is driven a stout 

 staff of cedar, secured by a becket ; wooden socket in the end 

 receives adjustable tip of bone, barbed on each side, to which 

 is fastened the line, made of stout walrus or seal bide; a buoy 

 made of seal-bladder is attached to staff near its butt. 

 Length : staff, 52J inches ; head, 6£ inches ; tip, 4£ inches. St. 

 Michael's, Norton Sound, Alaska, 1878. 33,939. Collected by 

 E. W. Nelson. Used after the seal or beluga has been struck 

 with another spear in order to prevent it- from sinking. The 

 float is inflated when in use ; at other times it is folded around 

 the staff. 



Seal and beluga harpoon and buoy. 



A short, heavy head of bone or horn, into which is driven a stout 

 staff of cedar, secured by a pin ; a wooden socket in the end 

 receives adjustable tip of bone, barbed on each side, to which 

 is fastened the line, made of stout walrus or seal hide ; a buoy, 

 made of seal-bladder, is attached to a staff near its butt. 

 Length : staff, 47^ inches ; head, 3£ inches ; tip, 4 inches. Saint 

 Michael's, Norton Sound, Alaska, 1878. 33,940. Collected by 

 E. W. Nelson. 



