138 B Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-18 



CXIX. The Lynx 



This figure, piqtoqciyaq or "the lynx," was seen among the Mackenzie 

 Eskimos only. The Chukchee have a figure which seems to be the same; Bogoras 

 says that they call it "the wild reindeer." 



Proceed up to the intermediate stage given in fig. 178. 



With the back of the left thumb from the proximal side take up the string 

 that runs from the lower transverse string to the left palmar string. 



With the back of the right thumb similarly take up the string which runs 

 from the upper transverse string near the right hand to loop round another 

 string just below the upper transverse string. 



With each thumb from the proximal side take up the radial index string of 

 its hand. Navaho the thumbs and drop the index loops. 



Pass the left index into the figure below the two strings that run from the 

 left palmar string to the middle, raise these two strings, then with the palm of 

 the index from the distal side draw out the upper transverse string. 



Drop the left thumb and left little finger loops and hold the left index loop 

 in the left hand. 



You have "the lynx." 



Fig. 181 



CXX. A Cliff 



The Copper Eskimos, among whom alone this figure was seen, called it 

 imnaqtsyyuk, but did not seem to know what the word meant. One man sug- 

 gested that it meant "a man climbing a cliff" (imnaq). 



Proceed up to the intermediate stage given in fig. 178. 



There is a string which passes under the ulnar right index string, then over 

 the radial right little finger string and again under the ulnar right index string. 

 Take it up where it crosses the radial little finger string with the back of the 

 right thumb, insert the left thumb from the proximal side into the right thumb 

 loop, 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. 



