Throwing-sticks in the National Museum | Page 7

is that of the Mahlemut, in Norton Sound, in which are present the handle, thumb-groove, finger-grooves, and pegs, cavities for the finger-tips, index finger cavity, shaft-groove, and hook for the harpoon. In short, all the characteristics present on the rest are combined here.
Classifications of these implements may be varied according to the organ selected. As to the hook for the attachment of the weapon, in Greenland this is on the shaft, in all other parts of the world it is on the throwing-stick. As to the index finger, there is for its reception, from Point Barrow to Greenland, an eccentric hole quite through which the finger passes. From Kotzebue Sound to Norton Sound there is a central pocket on the back of the weapon, directly under the groove, for the shaft of the weapon to receive the index finger. From Cape Vancouver to Bristol Bay an ivory or wooden peg serves this purpose. At Kadiak and Unalashka the eccentric index-finger hole returns.
It is more than probable that further investigation will destroy some of the types herein enumerated or merge two more of them into one; but it will not destroy the fact that in changing from one environment to another the hyperboreans were driven to modify their throwing-stick.
A still more interesting inquiry is that concerning the origin of the implement. It is hardly to be supposed that the simplest type, that of Anderson River, was invented at once in its present form, for the Australian form is ruder still, having neither hole for the index finger nor groove for the weapon shaft. When we recall that the chief benefit conferred by the throwing-stick is the ability to grasp firmly and launch truly a greasy weapon from a cold hand, we naturally ask, have the Eskimo any other device for the same purpose? They have. On the shaft of the light-seal harpoon, thrown without the stick, and on the heavy, ivory-weighted walrus-harpoon-shaft an ivory hand-rest is lashed just behind the center of gravity. This little object is often beautifully carved and prevents effectually the hand from slipping on the shaft, even with the greatest lunge of the hunter. From this object to the throwing-stick the way may be long and crooked, or there may be no way at all. So far as the National Museum is concerned there is nothing to guide us over this waste of ignorance.
THROWING-STICKS IN THE U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM.
------+------------------------------------------+---------------------- No. | Locality. | Collector. ------+------------------------------------------+---------------------- 32995 | Norton's Sound, Alaska | E.W. Nelson. 30013 | Cumberland Gulf | W.A. Mintzner, U.S.N. 33942 | Norton's Sound, Alaska | E.W. Nelson. 33897 | do. | Do. 33960 | do. | Do. 24336 | Saint Michael's Sound, Alaska | Lucien M. Turner. 24337 | do. | Do. 24338 | do. | Do. 46052 | Port Clarence, Alaska | W.H. Dall. 46053 | do. | Do. 49036 | Rasbonisky, L. Yukon | E.W. Nelson. 38849 | Yukon River | Do. 38605 | do. | Do. 36014 | Kushunuk, Sabotnisky, Alaska | Do. 36018 | Kuskunuk, Alaska | Do. 49001 | Sabotnisky, Alaska | Do. 49002 | do. | Do. 73327 | Unalashka | Catlin. 2267 | Anderson River | R. Kennicott. 90467 | Ugashak | William J. Fisher. 44392 | Cape Nome, Alaska | E.W. Nelson. 72519 | Cook's Inlet | William J. Fisher. 16242 | Nunivak Island, Alaska | W.H. Dall. 16238 | do. | Do. 74126 | Holsteinberg, Greenland | George Merchant, jr. 12981 | Unalashka | W.H. Dall. 89901 | Point Barrow, Alaska | Lieut. P.H. Ray. 38669 | Chalitmut | E.W. Nelson. 24335 | Saint Michael's, Norton's Sound, Alaska | Lucien M. Turner. 33914 | do. | E.W. Nelson. 7933 | Kadiak Island, Alaska | Dr. T.T. Minor, U.S.R.M. 36013 | Sabotnisky, Alaska | E.W. Nelson. 72398 | Bristol Bay, Alaska | Charles L. McKay. 16244 | Nunivak Island, Alaska | W.H. Dall. 11346 | Bristol Bay, Alaska | Vincent Colyer. 16235 | Kotzebue Sound, Alaska | E.P. Herenden. 15641 | Nunivak, Alaska | W.H. Dall. 16237 | do. | Do. 16239 | do. | Do. 16076 | Unalashka, Aleutian Islands | Sylvanus Bailey. 15647 | Nunivak, Alaska | W.H. Dall. 15645 | do. | Do. 16236 | do. | Do. 15642 | do. | Do. 15646 | do. | Do. ------+------------------------------------------+----------------------
PLATE I.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)
Fig. 1. Eskimo launching a seal harpoon by means of the throwing-stick. Mr. John Murdoch states that the hand is held much lower by the Point Barrow Eskimo, the harpoon resting as low as the shoulder, and that the movement of throwing the harpoon is quick, as in casting a fly in fishing.
[Illustration: Fig. 1. Eskimo using the throwing-stick.]
PLATE II.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)
Fig. 2. Greenland type of throwing-stick. The specific characteristics are the broad form; the scanty grooves for thumb and fingers; the absence of pegs,