KNIVES. — METALS. 
575 
appendages, and are always hung round the neck. Of these the fipa 
(teepar) or knife, is the most common and the most indispensable. 
The first or uppermost of these figures will convey an idea of the 
kind most frequently seen ; the second represents one without its 
sheath and with a more ornamented handle ; the third is one of the 
most handsome, its handle and sheath being carved out of ivory. 
The blade, which is made with an edge on both sides, is mere iron : 
the Bachapins seemed to be unacquainted with the difference between 
that and steel. 
Their knowledge of metals is very imperfect ; and they were 
totally ignorant of their relative value according to the estimation of 
civilized nations. The word tsiipi or tsipi (tseepy), used alone, 
signifies iron, ; tsipi e kubilp,, literally ' red iron, ' expresses copper : 
tsipi e tseka, ' yellow iron,' was the name for gold as well as brass ; and 
silver was called tstpi e chu (or shu), or ' white iron.' It seems, there- 
fore, that the word tsi'pi may be taken as equivalent to that of ' metal.' 
The handle and sheath are most commonly of horn or wood 
variously carved ; the latter part consists of two flat pieces bound to- 
gether with sinew : the front piece alone is ornamented. To the hinder 
