242 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887. 



artificially what nature has given gratis to other animals, either in the 

 way of hair or wool to keep theniwarm, or plumage to increase their at- 

 tractions. 



It is impossible to enumerate every form of burden-bearing, but to 

 show the almost endless variety in which inventive genius has dis- 

 played itself in loading the human body, the following enumeration is 

 introduced: 



METHODS OF BEARING BURDENS. 



1. In the hand. — This method is universal. In the house, at the sta- 

 tion, on the street, wherever one turns, light parcels are flitting in every 

 direction, which in the aggregate amounts to an enormous mass, carried 

 principally in the right hand. At the other end of human history the 

 act repeats itself. For we can scarcely frame a conception of man pri- 

 meval without a club or stone weapon or rude spear in one hand, and 

 here again the right hand has been selected to do the work.* 



2. In both hands. — It is really easier to carry in both hands than in 

 one, even though the load be larger. So it is a common sight to see a 

 man or a woman dividing the luggage into two parcels, bearing two 

 buckets or baskets, sometimes held apart with a hoop. In raising a load 

 to the shoulders both hands are used. It is amusing to watch the pot- 

 ters on the Egyptian monuments — to see the multiplicity of attitudes 

 they assume in the application of the two hands to burden-bearing. 



3. On the fingers. — This is a kind of fine art in carrying. In the old 

 descriptions and pictures of royal cup-bearers the salver is delicately 

 poised on three fingers. The climax of this plan is the summer-resort 

 waiter's feat of bringing the food of half a dozen individuals borne aloft 

 on the ends of his fingers in a huge tray. 



4. With a baldric. — The modern tourist hangs his opera- glass, satchel, 

 haversack, etc., to a strap passing over one shoulder and under the op- 

 posite arm. The hunter carries his game-bag in a similar manner. 

 Among hurdy-gurdy players and fruit-peddlers the strap hangs on 

 the back of the neck and the load rests against the stomach. The hands 

 are then free to make music, handle the merchandise, or even to help in 

 carrying the load. The baldric is now a military ornament especially, 

 and may never have had extensive use among savages. 



5. Rung to a belt. — Combining the belt with the baldric, the soldier 

 carries his weapons. It is common to see small objects hung to a belt 

 before, behind, or on either side. This is not an easy way to carry a 

 heavy burden ; yet among semi-civilized peoples it is the place for trans- 

 porting treasures — in short, the first step in the insurance of carrying 

 treasures. Also, the broad sash of many peoples serves admirably for 

 holding children, victuals, weapons, papers, and things not to be-exposed. 



* The writer has examined a great many savage weapons and fools that will fit only 

 one hand. The proportion of left-handed is not more than one in iifty tor meu, and 

 he has never seen a left-handed womau's implement. 



