Eskimo String Figures 17 b 



Opposite each little finger there is a string which runs from the palmar 

 string to loop round the lower transverse string. 



Take this string up with the back of each thumb from the proximal side 

 just after it passes under the lower transverse string to run up to the middle, 

 then with each thumb from the proximal side take up the radial index string 

 of its hand. Navaho the thumbs and drop the index loops. You have "the 

 two brown bears," one on each side, each followed by its cub.' 



VII. The Brown Bear and the Shaman (Inland Eskimos of N. Alaska) 



Opening A. 



With the thumbs from the proximal side remove the index loops. 



With the indices from the distal side remove the little finger loops. 



With the back of the left little finger push back from below the proximal 

 ulnar thumb string and on the distal side of the other two ulnar strings hook 

 that little finger over the radial index string. 



With the back of the right little finger from below push out the proximal 

 ulnar thumb string, then on the proximal side of the ulnar index string hook 

 that little finger over the radial index string of the right hand. 



With the palms of the indices from the distal side draw the upper transverse 

 string through the index loops, thereby navahoing the indices. 



Navaho the thumbs, and katilluik the remaining thumb loops. 



Near the left hand there is a string that runs from the palmar string to loop 

 round the lower transverse string, after which it continues to the upper trans- 

 verse string. 



There is also another horizontal string that runs on the proximal side of all 

 the other strings from one palmar string to the other. 



Fig. 9 



Take up the former of these strings with the left thumb from below from 

 the proximal side, and the horizontal string similarly with the right thumb from 

 the proximal side; then with each thumb from the proximal side take up the 

 radial index string of its hand. Navaho the thumbs and drop the index loops. 

 You have "the brown bear" on one side and "the shaman" on the other. 



> The "cubs" may be increased in number by simply repeating the process, if the string is long enough. 



72754r-2 



