Page:String Figures and How to Make Them.djvu/63

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STRING FIGURES

Then turn the hands with the palms away from you and, drawing the strings tight, extend the figure between the thumbs and index fingers (Fig. 60).

The object of the Third movement is to get each far index finger string into a

convenient position for drawing it through the thumb loop. This movement may be done by drawing each far index string toward you on the thumb and then releasing the little finger loops and the original thumb loops.

A FISH-SPEAR

This little. figure comes from Murray Island, Torres Straits, where it is known as Baur=a Fish-spear (see Rivers and Haddon, p. 149, Fig. 1). It is identical with "Pitching a Tent," of the Salish Indians, British Columbia, obtained by Mr. Harlan I. Smith, when he secured "Dressing a Skin." Several stages of "Pitching a Tent" are illustrated by Mr. Smith (p. 282, Fig. 270, b, 1-4) and the game itself is described by Dr. Haddon (5 p. 217). Dr. Haddon has since found it played by the Clayoquaht Indians, Nootka tribe, Vancouver Island, at the St. Louis Exposition under the name "Sea-Egg (Echinus) Spear." There is a finished pattern in the Philadelphia Free Museum of Science and Art, No. 22608 from Zuñi, New Mexico, collected by Mr. Stewart Culin.

First: Put the loop of string on both hands in the First Position.

Second: Insert the right index, from above, be-