Eskimo String Figures 27 b 



Third Method 



Loop over the thumbs and indices of each hand. 



Close the remaining fingers of each hand over the transverse strings and 

 turn the hands inwards and downwards so that each thumb-index loop slips off 

 and falls over the transverse strings. 



"With the thumbs and indices draw out the two transverse strings. 



Two loops now cross the transverse strings. Shake them so that one passes 

 over the top of the other, holding the loops meantime in the hands. 



With the backs of the indices take up these crossing loop strings (the side 

 strings of a triangle), and drop the hand loops. Hold the index loops in the 

 hands and you have "the little finger." 



Fourth Method 



Position 1, left hand only. 



Pass the other end of the loop under the palmar string from the proximal 

 side and lay it back on the palm, making a small circle thus : 



Insert the left thimib into the circle from above (i.e. from the outside) and 

 the left little finger similarly on the opposite side of the two pendent strings (at 

 X and X, Fig. 20a) and circle them upwards so that they take up the two strings 

 at these places. The old radial thumb and little finger loops drop off in this 

 movement; hold them in the right hand. 



Lay the left hand loops on the .knees and, carefully withdrawing the left 

 thumb and little fingers, take up with the left thumb and index the old ulnar 

 left thumb and the radial little finger strings and grasp them firmly in the hand. 

 You have "the little finger." 



XVI. The Little Fingek Made Double^ (Colville river Eskimos) 



Make "the little finger." 



With the backs of the indices push out the sides of the triangle, then, 

 dropping the thumb loops, take up with the thumbs from the proximal side the 

 ulnar index strings. 



Pass the middle fingers from the distal side under the two transverse strings 

 in the middle and close them against the palms. 



With the right thumb from the proximal side remove the left thumb loops, 

 then insert the left thumb into the right thumb loops from the proximal side. 



In the middle is a square, the top side being a portion of the upper trans- 

 verse strings. 



With the backs of the thumbs take up the side strings of the square and 

 navaho the thumbs. 



1 1 have seen this figure amongst the Inland Eskimos only. 



