Eskimo String Figures 



67 H 



LIII. yajaiye 



This figure was obtained from some Coronation gulf natives, who gave it 

 the above name, but could not tell me the meaning of the word.^ It would be 

 the same as the preceding figure, but for a slight movement in the middle of 

 the process which is less intricate than the corresponding one in "the water- 

 buckets," and for the final movement. Possibly it arose from the attempt of 

 some native to recall "the two water-carriers." 



Proceed as in "the two water-carriers," up to the stage marked '. 



With the pajms of the thumbs from the proximal side draw the upper 

 transverse string through the thumb loops. 



Pass the thumbs proximal to all the strings, pressing its new ulnar loop 

 before it, and with their backs on the distal side of the ulnar little finger strings 

 draw out the radial little finger strings. 



Drop the index loops. You have yajaiye. 



Fig. 74 



LIV. Two Musk-oxen 



This figure is called umLymatciak, "two musk-oxen," by both Mackenzie 

 and Copper Eskimos, but in Boas' collection from the west coast of Hudson 

 bay it is called "ground mole." All the first series of movements are identical 

 with those in "the two big eyes" (No. XXXVI). 



I Opening A. 



With the palms of the indices from the distal side take up the upper trans- 

 verse string and drop the thumb loops. 



With the backs of the thumbs from the proximal side take up the radial 

 little finger and the proximal ulnar index strings, then, passing them down on 

 the distal side of the index strings, raise up the ulnar little finger strings from 

 the proximal side; finally, with the backs of the thumbs, from the proximal side, 

 but on the distal side of all the strings, take up the distal radial index strings, 

 and draw them out through all the strings, thereby navahoing the thumbs. 



Drop the loops on the little fingers,^ and, passing these into the thumb loops 

 from the proximal side, hook down through all the strings with them the upper- 

 most transverse string that runs from one palmar string to the other. 



Insert the middle fingers from the proximal side into the index loops, then 

 with the palms of the indices draw through the upper transverse string from the 

 distal side and drop the thumb loops. 



1 It may be connected with the Mackenzie word yayaiyoq, which means 'he is tired.* 



2 Up to tliis stage the movements coincide with those of 'two big eyes' (No. XXXVI). 



72754—5* 



