1886,] Anthropology. 829 
wood, to the butt of which is sometimes fitted a sharp zce-pick of 
bone, antler or preferably of walrus-ivory. To the outer end is 
fitted the fore-shaft of bone or ivory, which may be simply a 
_ ferule of greater or less length, of the same diameter as the shaft, 
or may be expanded into a heavy pear-shaped knob, so as to give 
weight to the head of a weapon intended for darting. Into a 
socket in the end of the fore-shaft fits one extremity of the slen- 
der loose shaft, which is short in a harpoon intended solely for 
darting, long in one which is to be thrust through a hole in the 
ice. This is attached to the rest of the harpoon, usually to the 
fore-shaft, by the assembling line passing through holes in each 
and keeping the loose shaft from being dropped and lost. On the 
small seal-harpoon the assembling line is frequently long, and 
knotted also to the shaft and ice-pick, so that if, the harpoon 
breaks the parts are not lost. 
The function of the loose shaft is to prevent the harpoon from 
breaking with a lateral strain, while its play in its socket facili- 
tates the unshipping of the toggle-head. Some harpoons are still 
made with the fore-shaft and loose shaft in one piece, and the un- 
shipping of the head is provided for by the shape of the lip-end, 
__On the point of the loose shaft fits the tog gle-head, consisting 
of a body of bone or ivory in the shape of a slender conoid or 
hexagonal pyramid with the base beveled off so as to form a long 
sharp spur, the daré of which may be split into two or more 
pois, The body is usually somewhat flattened at right angles 
to the plane of the barb, but in some localities it is very much 
flattened in the direction of that plane, in which case it often has 
à pair of lateral barbs near the apex. 
In the apex of the body, usually at right angles to the barb, is 
€ deep narrow blade-sht, into which fits the broad, thin, sharp 
‘anceolate, or triangular blade of stone or metal. When of metal it 
IS Usually secured by one or more rivets. In the middle of the base 
is the deep shaft-socket, and through the middle of the body at right 
angles to the barb runs the line-hole, from which, on each side, 
deep longitudinal line-grooves run back to the base. 
the end of the line is passed through the line-hole, brought back 
and secured to the standing part (to use a nautical term) so that 
the head is slung in a loop of the line. Or the line may be joined 
- the ad by means of a /eader, or short line, attached as before 
explained to the head and knotted or spliced at the end into a 
ecket, in which case the line may be fastened or de- 
tached at pleasure. 
When the head is fitted upon the shaft the line is brought 
nearly to the middle of the latter and either knotted securely 
around it, fastened with a “ slippery hitch” or attached by means 
of a small loop or ring of ivory to a little peg, the “e-hook, pro- 
