Eskimo String Figures 



81 B 



LXVIII. Two Lemmings and their Burrows 



This figure was learnt from a native of Bathurst inlet, east Coronation 

 gulf, who called it aviydtdak hitaklu, "two lemmings and their two burrows." 

 There is nothing unusual about the movements. 



Opening A. 



Pass the thumbs over the radial index strings and from the proximal side 

 take up the ulnar index strings and return. 



Pass the indices in under the distal radial thumb string from the distal side 

 and with their palms draw out the proximal radial thumb strings. 



Drop the thumb loops, then with the thumbs from the proximal side remove 

 the two index loops and with the indices from the distal side the little finger 

 loops. 



Pass the little fingers from below from the proximal side into the thumb 

 loops and on the proximal side of the ulnar index string hook their palms over 

 the radial index string. 



With the palms of the indices from the distal side remove the distal radial 

 thumb strings, thereby navahoing the indices. 



Drop these distal loops from the thumbs and katilluik the remaining thumb 

 loops. 



Transfer the thumb loops to the indices. 



Near the middle of the figure on each side is a string running from lower to 

 upper transverse strings on the proximal side of both. With the palm of each 

 nearer thumb from the proximal side take up these strings and katilluik. 



Transfer the thumb loops again to the indices. 



At the bottom are two strings almost horizontal, but intersecting each 

 other. Take up each from below with the nearer thumb, then the radial index 

 string of that hand from the proximal side. 



Navaho the thumbs and drop the index loops. 



Fig. 96 



You have "the two lemmings," one on each side, with the two holes from 

 which they have emerged. 



72754—6 



