Eskimo String Figures 



169 b 



(Drop the string in the mouth and the distal little finger loops. You have 

 a series of transverse strings, single at the top and bottom with three intersecting 

 pairs in between.) 



Fig. 221 



CXLIX. A WOLVEKINE 



The naovements in this figure are extraordinary. It seems to be confined 

 to the Eskimos of Cape Prince of Wales; at least I have not seen it anywhere 

 along the north coast. It is called qavrk mpitaqtoaq, i.e. "a wolverine subans." 



Loop behind the left thumb and little finger. 



Circle the other end of the loop clockwise through 180 degrees, then lay it 

 over the left middle finger. 



Take hold of the left ulnar little finger string, pass it across the palm, round 

 the outside of the left thumb, across the palm again and behind the little finger; 

 now drop the remainder of the string. 



There are now three palmar strings, but one runs underneath the radial 

 and ulnar middle finger strings. 



Raise this string up from between the radial and ulnar middle finger strings, 

 and between also the other two palmar strings, and drop it over the left middle 

 finger. 



Drop the two loops on the left little finger and take up with the right thumb 

 from the distal side (i.e. from below) the two ulnar middle finger strings. Drop 

 the middle finger loops. 



Draw the hands apart and, holding the thumb loops in the hands, spread 

 apart with the indices the radial strings. You have "the wolverine." 



Fig. 222 



