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Curator of the Department of Ethnology
Curator of the Department of Ethnology
Col. Lane Fox tells us there are three areas of the throwing-stick: Australia, where it is simply an elongated spindle with a hook at the end; the country of the Conibos and the Purus, on the Upper Amazon, where the implement resembles that of the Australians, and the hyperborean regions of North America. It is of this last group that we shall now speak, since the National Museum possesses only two specimens from the first-named area and none whatever from the second. The researches and collecti
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GREENLAND TYPE.
GREENLAND TYPE.
The Greenland throwing-stick is a long, flat trapezoid, slightly ridged along the back (Fig. 2). It has no distinct handle at the wide end, although it will be readily seen that the expanding of this part secures a firm grip. A chamfered groove on one side for the thumb, and a smaller groove on the other side for the index finger, insure the implement against slipping from the hunter's grasp. Marks 5, 6, 7 of the series on page 280 are wanting in the Greenland type. The shaft-groove, in which li
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UNGAVA TYPE.
UNGAVA TYPE.
One specimen from Fort Chimo in this region, southeast of Hudson Bay, kindly lent by Mr. Lucien Turner, is very interesting, having little relation with that from Greenland (which is so near geographically), and connecting itself with all the other types as far as Kadiak, in Alaska (Fig. 3). The outline of the implement is quite elaborate and symmetrical, resembling at the hook end a fiddle-head, and widening continuously by lateral and facial curves to the front, where it is thin and flat. A sl
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CUMBERLAND GULF TYPE.
CUMBERLAND GULF TYPE.
The Cumberland Gulf type is the clumsiest throwing-stick in the Museum, and Dr. Franz Boas recognizes it as a faithful sample of those in use throughout Baffin Land (Fig. 4). In general style it resembles Mr. Turner's specimens from Ungava; but every part is coarser and heavier. It is made of oak, probably obtained from a whaling vessel. Instead of the fiddle-head at the distal end we have a declined and thickened prolongation of the stick without ornament. There is no distinct handle, but provi
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FURY AND HECLA STRAITS TYPE.
FURY AND HECLA STRAITS TYPE.
In Parry's Second Voyage (p. 508) is described a throwing-stick of Igloolik, 18 inches long, grooved for the shaft of the bird-spear, and having a spike for the hole of the shaft, and a groove for the thumb and for the fingers. The index-finger hole is not mentioned, but more than probably it existed, since it is nowhere else wanting between Ungava and Cape Romanzoff in Alaska. This form, if properly described by Parry, is between the Ungava and the Cumberland Gulf specimen, having no kinship wi
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ANDERSON RIVER TYPE.
ANDERSON RIVER TYPE.
The Anderson River throwing-stick (and we should include the Mackenzie River district) is a very primitive affair in the National Museum, being only a tapering flat stick of hard wood (Fig. 5). Marks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are wanting. The index-finger cavity is large and eccentric and furnishes a firm hold. The shaft-groove is a rambling shallow slit, not over half an inch wide. There is no hook or spur of foreign material inserted for the spear end; but simply an excavation of the hard wood which f
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POINT BARROW TYPE.
POINT BARROW TYPE.
Through the kindness of Mr. John Murdoch, I have examined a number from this locality, all alike, collected in the expedition of Lieutenant Ray, U.S.A. (Fig. 6). They are all of soft wood, and in general outline they resemble a tall amphora, bisected, or with a slice cut out of the middle longitudinally. There is a distinct "razor-strop" handle, while in those previously described the handle is scarcely distinct from the body. Marks 3, 4, 5, and 6 are wanting. The index-finger hole is very large
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KOTZEBUE SOUND TYPE.
KOTZEBUE SOUND TYPE.
The Kotzebue Sound type is an elongated truncated pyramid, or obelisk, fluted on all sides (Fig. 7). The handle is in the spiral shape so frequent in Eskimo skin-scrapers from Norton Sound and vicinity, and exactly fits the thumb and the last three fingers. Marks 5 and 6 are wanting. The index cavity is a cul de sac , into which the forefinger is to be hooked when the implement is in use. Especial attention is called to this characteristic because it occurs here for the first time and will not b
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EASTERN SIBERIAN TYPE.
EASTERN SIBERIAN TYPE.
The National Museum has no throwing-stick from this region, but Nordenskjöld figures one in the Voyage of Vega (p. 477, Fig. 5), which is as simple as the one from Anderson River, excepting that the former has a hook of ivory, while the latter has a mere excavation to receive the cavity on the end of the weapon. Nordenskjöld's bird-spear accompanying the stick has a bulb or enlargement of the shaft at the point opposite the handle of the throwing-stick, which is new to the collection of the Nati
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PORT CLARENCE AND CAPE NOME TYPE.
PORT CLARENCE AND CAPE NOME TYPE.
The specimens from this area are more or less spatulate in form, but very irregular, with the handle varying from that of the razor-strop to the spiral, twisted form of the Eskimo skin-scraper (Fig. 9). On the whole, these implements are quite similar to the next group. A section across the middle of the implement would be trapezoidal with incurved sides. In two of the specimens not figured these curved sides are brought upward until they join the upper surface, making a graceful ornament. The h
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NORTON SOUND TYPES.
NORTON SOUND TYPES.
These types extend from Cape Darby around to Cape Dyer, including part of Kaviagmut, the Mahlemut, the Unaligmut, and the Ekogmut area of Dall, and extending up the Yukon River as far as the Eskimo, who use this weapon. The characteristics are the same as those of the last named area, excepting that in many specimens there are two finger-pegs instead of one, the first peg inclosing the middle finger, the second the ring-finger and the little finger (Figs. 10-13). A single specimen collected by L
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NUNIVAK ISLAND AND CAPE VANCOUVER TYPE.
NUNIVAK ISLAND AND CAPE VANCOUVER TYPE.
In this region a great change comes over the throwing-stick, just as though it had been stopped by Cape Romanzoff, or new game had called for modification, or a mixing of new peoples had modified their tools (Figs. 15-17). The index-finger cavity and the hole for the index finger are here dropped entirely, after extending from Greenland uninterruptedly to Cape Romanzoff. The handle is conspicuously wide, while the body of the implement is very slender and light. The thumb-groove is usually chamf
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BRISTOL BAY TYPE.
BRISTOL BAY TYPE.
The throwing-stick from Bristol Bay resembles in general characteristics those from Nunivak Island and Cape Vancouver. In outline it has the shape of the broadsword. Its cross-section is bayonet-shaped. It has no distinct handle beyond a slight projection from the end. The thumb-groove is shallow and chamfered on the lower side to fit exactly. There is a long, continuous notch for the four fingers, in which the index finger and the middle finger are set off by pegs. There is a depression, more o
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KADIAK OR UNALASHKA TYPE.
KADIAK OR UNALASHKA TYPE.
In the National Museum are four throwing-sticks, one of them left-handed, exactly alike—two of them marked Kadiak and two Unalashka (Figs. 20-22). They return to the more primitive type of the area from Kotzebue Sound to Greenland, indicating that the implement culminated in Norton Sound. In outline this southern form is thin and straight-sided, and those in possession are all of hard wood. The back is carved in ridges to fit the palm of the hand and muscles of the thumb. There is no thumb-groov
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PLATE I.
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. Fig. 1. Eskimo using the throwing-stick....
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PLATE II.
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. Fig. 2. Greenland throwing-sti
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PLATE III.
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. Fig. 3. Ungava throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE IV.
PLATE IV.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 4. Cumberland 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 Cumberland Gulf, by W.A. Mintzer, in 1876. Museum number, 30013. Fig. 4. Cumberland Gulf throwing-sti
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PLATE V.
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 Cumberland Gulf type. Col
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PLATE VI.
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 c
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PLATE VII.
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. Fig. 9. Port Clarence and Cape Nome throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE VIII.
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. Fig. 10. Norton Sound throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE IX.
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 resemb
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PLATE X.
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. Fig. 13. Yukon River throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE XI.
PLATE XI.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 14. Throwing-stick from Saint Michael's. This specimen is very noteworthy on account of the absence of the index-finger pocket, a mark characteristic of the Vancouver type, Fig. 17. If the middle peg of the Vancouver example were removed the resemblance would be close, but the clumsy spur at the bottom of the shaft groove is Norton Sound rather than Nunivak. Collected by Lucien M. Turner, at Saint Michael's, in 1876. Museum number, 24335. Fig. 14. Saint Michael's t
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PLATE XII.
PLATE XII.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 15. Nunivak type. The characteristic marks are the absence of any cavity for the index finger, the nicely-fitting handle, the disposition of the finger-pegs, and the delicate point on the ivory spur at the bottom of the shaft groove. Collected by W.H. Dall, at Nunivak Island, in 1874. Museum number, 16239. (This specimen is left-handed.) Fig. 15. Nunivak Island throwing-stick, front and back, left-handed....
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PLATE XIII.
PLATE XIII.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 16. Specimen from Nunivak, right-handed. The cuts on the front and back are noteworthy. Collected by W.H. Dall, at Nunivak Island, in 1874. Museum number, 16238. Fig. 16. Nunivak Island throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE XIV.
PLATE XIV.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 17. Specimen from Cape Vancouver. In all respects it is like those of Nunivak, excepting a peg-rest for the little finger. Collected by E.W. Nelson, at Cape Vancouver, in 1879. Museum number, 38669. Fig. 17. Cape Vancouver throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE XV.
PLATE XV.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Figs. 18, 19. Bristol Bay type. In no essential characters do these sticks differ from those of Nunivak. The handle is smaller, and they appear to have been made with steel tools. Fig. 18 collected by C.L. McKay, at Bristol Bay, Alaska, in 1883. Museum number, 72398. Fig. 19 collected by William J. Fisher, at Kadiak, in 1884. Museum number, 90467. Fig. 18. Bristol Bay throwing-stick, front and back. Fig. 19. Bristol Bay throwing-stick, front and back....
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PLATE XVI.
PLATE XVI.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Fig. 20. Unalashkan throwing-stick. It would be better to call this form the Southern type. The noticeable features in all our specimens are the parallel sides, the hard material, thinness, the carving for the fingers, but above all the reappearance of the eccentric cavity for the index finger. This cavity is not a great perforation, as in the Point Barrow type, but an eccentric pocket, a compromise between the Northern cavity and that of the East. Collected by Sylvanus
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PLATE XVII.
PLATE XVII.
(Mason. Throwing-sticks.) Figs. 21, 22. Throwing-sticks of the Southern type. Fig. 21 is left-handed, collected by Dr. T.T. Minor, at Kadiak, in 1869. Museum number, 7933. Fig. 22 collected by W.H. Dall, at Unalashka, in 1873. Museum number, 12981. At Sitka two specimens were collected, unfortunately not figured, with the following characters laid down in the beginning of this paper: 1. Short, very narrow and deep, and carved all over with devices. 2. No handle distinct from the body. 3, 4, 5, 6
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