Throwing-sticks in the National Museum Part 2

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, separate finger grooves, or index perforation; but the most noteworthy are the two grommets or eyelets to fit ivory pegs on the harpoon-shaft. The peculiar method of strengthening the ends with ivory pieces should also be noted. From Holsteinburg, Greenland, 1884. Catalogue number, 74126.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 2. Greenland throwing-stick, back and front.]

PLATE III.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 3. Ungava type of throwing-stick. The specific marks are the general outline, especially the fiddle-head ornament at the bottom; the bend upward at the lower extremity, the eccentric perforation for the index finger, and the groove for three fingers. Collected at Ungava, by Lucien M. Turner, 1884. Museum number, 76700.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 3. Ungava throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE IV.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 4. c.u.mberland Gulf type of throwing-stick. The specific marks are the broad clumsy form, the separate provision for the thumb and each finger, the bent lower extremity, and the broad furrow for the bird-spear. Accidental marks are the mending of the handle, the material of the stick, and the canine tooth for the spur at the bottom of the square groove. Collected in c.u.mberland Gulf, by W.A. Mintzer, in 1876.

Museum number, 30013.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 4. c.u.mberland Gulf throwing-stick, back and front.]

PLATE V.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 5. Anderson River type. The specific marks are the extreme plainness of form, the lack of accommodations for the thumb and fingers, excepting the eccentric index-finger hole, the poor groove for the harpoon-shaft, and the absence of a hook or spur at the bottom of this groove. The accidental marks are cuts running diagonally across the back. In another specimen seen from the same locality the shaft groove is squared after the manner of the c.u.mberland Gulf type. Collected at the mouth of Anderson River, by R. Kennicott, in 1866. Museum number, 2267.

Fig. 6. Point Barrow type. The specific marks are the distinct handle without finger grooves, the very eccentric index-finger hole, the method of inserting the spur for the shaft, and the harpoon-shaft groove very shallow above and deep below. In the specimens shown by Mr. Murdoch there is great uniformity of shape. Collected at Point Barrow, by Lieut.

P.H. Ray, in 1883. Museum number, 89902.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 5. Anderson River throwing-stick, front and back.

Fig. 6. Point Barrow throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE VI.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 7. Kotzebue Sound type. The specific marks are the twisted handle, the broad shallow shaft groove, and, notably, the pocket for the index-finger tip-visible on the lower side, but nearly absent from the upper side, and lying directly under the shaft groove. In the examples before noted all the holes for the index finger are to one side of this shaft groove. Collected in Kotzebue Sound, by E.P. Herendeen, in 1874.

Museum number, 16235.

Fig. 8. The Rodgers type, so called because the locality is doubtful. In specific characters it resembles Fig. 7. The differences are the three cavities for finger tips in the handle, the shaft groove very shallow and running out before reaching the index-finger cavity, and the delicate hook for the spear shaft resembling those farther south. Since writing this paper two throwing-sticks from Sitka have been seen in many respects resembling this form, but covered all over their surfaces with characteristic Thlinkit mythological figures, and having iron hooks at the lower end of the shaft groove. Collected by Commodore John Rodgers, in 1867. Museum number, 2533.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 7. Kotzebue Sound throwing-stick, front and back.

Fig. 8. The Commodore Rodgers throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE VII.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 9. The Port Clarence and Cape Nome type. The notable characteristics are the occurrence of an ivory peg in the handle for the middle finger, the very small size of the handle, and the central index-finger pocket central in position but quite piercing the stick.

Collected by E.W. Nelson, at Cape Nome, in 1880. Museum number, 44392.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 9. Port Clarence and Cape Nome throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE VIII.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 10. Norton Sound type, single-pegged variety. Except in the better finish, this type resembles the one last described. Collected by L.M. Turner, at Saint Michael's Island, in 1876. Museum number, 24338.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 10. Norton Sound throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE IX.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 11. Norton Sound type, two-pegged variety. In all respects, excepting the number of pegs, this resembles Figs. 9 and 10.

In all of them the peg at the bottom of the groove is very clumsy.

Collected in Norton Sound, by E.W. Nelson, in 1878. Museum number, 32995.

Fig. 12. Throwing-stick from Sabotnisky, on the Lower Yukon. It belongs to the Norton Sound type. The cavity on the upper side of the handle for the finger-tips is remarkable for the carving of a bird resembling figures seen on objects made by the Western Indians of the United States. Collected by E.W. Nelson, at Sabotnisky, in 1879. Museum number, 36013.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 11. Norton Sound throwing-stick, front and back.

Fig. 12. Sabotnisky throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE X.

(Mason. Throwing-sticks.)

Fig. 13. Specimen from Yukon River, belonging to the Northern Sound one-pegged variety. Collected by E.W. Nelson, in 1879. Museum number, 38849.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 13. Yukon River throwing-stick, front and back.]

PLATE XI.