34 B Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-18 



Now rapidly pass the index fingers from the distal side in between the 

 proximal and distal radial thimib strings and with their palms draw through the 

 upper transverse string, dropping the thumb loops and saying: 



ka ane lyiayikpin^ Come, be off, I have raced you. 



Fig. 30 



The last movement is the final stage in the making of many cat's cradle 

 figures, and, in association with the words given above, is believed to possess 

 the power of driving away "the spirit of cat's cradles" (seeAppendix, p. 182 fe). 

 Every stage must be made with the greatest rapidity, lest the spirit should out- 

 race the performer. I did not find this belief in the Mackenzie or Copper Eskimo 

 region, but at Nome and at Port Clarence the natives used to chant at the end 

 of the first stage, which alone they knew: 



vUrici vlerici (meaning unknown) 



neymiaqpain irjiaqpain I shall eat you, I have raced you. 



teni Off with you. 



At Cape Prince of Wales, Opening A is believed to have the same power, 

 in conjunction with the same chant. Make Opening A each time the word 

 i-Urici is uttered, dropping the index loops again; finally for the third time make 

 Opening A, accompanying it with the words neyLniaqpain, etc.; and at the last 

 word teni flaunt it in the face of the spirit. 



XXIV. The Caribou or the Rabbit 



This figure has been recorded by Dr. G. B. Gordon from St. Michael, where 

 he gives it the name of "caribou" (tuktuk). Except in North Alaska, it has the 

 same name everywhere along the coast to Coronation gulf, as well as in Cumber- 

 land sound, Baffin island. But the Barrow and Inland natives of North Alaska 

 call it "rabbit" (ukaUq), and the Inland natives even continue it through further 

 stages. Accordingly, although both Dr. Boas and Dr. Gordon have described 

 how the figure is made, I shall repeat the description, and give the subsequent 

 stages as the Inland natives make them. 



Opening A. 



Circle the right index round the little finger strings, take up with it the radial 

 right thumb string from the distal side and return, dropping the right thumb loop. 



Circle the right index with its loops clockwise. 



Insert the right thumb into the right index loops from the proximal side 

 and with the right thumb and index take hold of the radial left index string, 

 and draw it through the right thumb-index loops, allowing these to slip off. 



Drop the loop on the left thumb and replace it by the loop held up in the 

 right thumb and index. 



Hold the right little finger loop in the right hand. You have "the caribou" 

 or "rabbit." 



