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STRING FIGURES 



[CH. XV 



flexible string, such as macrami thread, about six-and-a-half feet 

 long, knotting the ends so as to make it into a closed loop, and 

 then weaving or twisting this loop on the fingers in some de- 

 fined way. Normally at the end of each movement the hands 

 should be drawn apart so as to tighten the string, and be held 

 upright with the fingers pointing upwards and the palms 

 approximately facing one another. 



Here are some examples chosen purposely from widely 

 separated countries. The figures are drawn as seen by the 

 operator. 



A Mosquito or Fly. This design, made in slightly different 

 ways in different countries, represents the insect with its body 

 midway between the hands, and its wings spread out. The 

 following construction is taken from South American Indians 

 whose habitat is on the banks of the Amazon. 



This figure is there made by the following five successive 

 movements : (1) Put the thumbs, held upright, into the loop of 

 string, and separate the hands. (2) Move the left hand to a 

 horizontal position ; then turn it counter-clockwise under the 

 strings and up towards you into its normal position, thus giving 

 two dbrsal strings and no palmar string. (3) Pass the right 

 hand between you and the left hand, then put the right little- 



Figure i. The Fly. 



finger from above under the dorsal strings, pick them up, and 

 return the finger to its former position. [Unless the contrary 



