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 be seen again after we pass Cape Vancouver. From Ungava to
Point Barrow the index-finger hole is eccentric and the finger passes
quite through the implement and to the right of the harpoon or
spear-shaft. In the Kotzebue type the index finger cavity is subjacent
to the spear-shaft groove, consequently the forefinger would be wounded
or at least in the way by passing through the stick. The spear or
harpoon-shaft groove is wide and shallow and passes immediately over the
index cavity. The hook is of ivory and stands up above the wood. It
needs only to be mentioned that this type, as well as those with
eccentric forefinger perforations are used with the naked hand.
In the quarto volume of Beechey's Voyage, page 324, is mentioned a
throwing-stick from Eschscholtz Bay, with a hole for the forefinger and
a notch for the thumb, the spear being placed in the groove and embraced
by the middle finger and the thumb. This last assertion is very
important. When I first began to examine a large number of the
implements, I could not explain the cavities for the finger-tips until
this note suggested that the shaft rides outside of and not under the
fingers. To test the matter I had a throwing-stick made to fit my hand,
and found that the spear could get no start if clamped close to the
throwing-stick by all the fingers; but if allowed to rest on the back of
the fingers or a part of them, and it is held fast, by the thumb and
middle finger, it had just that small rise which gave it a start from
the propelling instrument.
In the national collection is a specimen marked Russian America,
collected by Commodore John Rodgers, resembling in many respects the
Kotzebue Sound type. The handle is of the same razor-strop shape, but on
the upper side are three deep depressions for the finger-tips. In
several of the objects already described provision is made for the tips
of the last three fingers by means of a gutter or slight indentations.
But in no other examples is there such pronounced separation of the
fingers. In very many of the Norton Sound skin-dressers, composed of a
stone blade and ivory handle, the fingers are separated in exactly the
same manner. These skin-dressers are from the area just south of
Kotzebue Sound. The back of the Rodgers specimen is ornamented in its
lower half by means of grooves. In its upper half are represented the
legs and feet of some animal carved out in a graceful manner. The
index-finger cavity is central and is seen on the upper side by a very
slight rectangular perforation, which, however, does not admit the
extrusion of any part of the index-finger. The upper surface is formed
by two inclined planes meeting in the center. Along this central ridge
is excavated the groove for the spear-shaft, deep at its lower end and
quite running out at its upper extremity. The hook for the end of the
harpoon-shaft in this specimen resembles that seen on the
throwing-sticks of the region south of Cape Vancouver. The whole
execution of this specimen is so much superior to that of any other in
the Museum and the material so different as to create the suspicion that
it was made by a white man, with steel tools (Fig 8).