land and others to the water. This legend was originally published by Mr. E. Beardmore, in his paper on 'The Natives of Mowat, Dandai, New Guinea' (Journal of the Anthropological Institute, xix, 1890, p. 462). I have quoted this as it is primarily a Torres Straits tale. The plucking of the first fire from between the thumb and forefinger is a widely spread myth in the Straits."
REAL CAT'S-CRADLE
As Dr. Haddon has pointed out, the familiar game of cat's-cradle probably had its origin in Asia whence it was introduced into Europe; it has also spread to some extent among the Asiatic islands. It is well known in China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Borneo; and it may be known in Java, Celebes, and Australia. It is apparently unknown in Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and to the Amerinds. In Europe it is recorded from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and England. From France it has spread into Northern Africa, for Dr. W. H. Furness found several little Arab girls in the tapestry school in Algiers who played it exactly as we do; they learned it in a French school. Of course it is probably known in all parts of the world which have felt the influence of European culture.
We have not been able to find any record of the time or manner of its introduction into England, but this must have happened within comparatively recent years as there are no references to it in the older literature. Moreover, no satisfactory explanation of the name "cat's-cradle" has ever been given; its other name, "cratch-cradle," may refer to the two important stages of the game: the "manger" (a cratch) and the "cradle."
In Southern China cat's cradle is known as Kang sok = Well rope; in Swatow the name means" Sawing wood." In Korea it is called Ssi-teu-ki = Woof-taking; and in Japan, Aya ito tori = Woof pattern String-taking. In Germany it has various names: Abheben = Taking-off, Faden-abheben = Taking-off strings, Fadensplel = String game, Hexenspiel = Witch's game, and 'Auf-und Abnehmen = Picking-up and taking-off. In Holland it is known as Aipakken: Dradenspel = Taking-off: String game; in France and Algeria as la scie.
Two persons and one loop of string are required for the game of "Real Cat's-Cradle," which is played by the persons alternately taking the string off each other's hands to produce eight definite figures which have been given distinctive names, as follows: 1, Cradle; 2, Soldier's Bed; 3, Candles; 4, Manger; 5, Diamonds; 6, Cat's Eye; 7, Fish in a Dish; 8, Clock. For convenience in describing the game the players will be called "A"' and "B." The terms "near," "far," "right," and "left" describe the position of the strings as seen by the person from whose hands the figure is being taken.
