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
chamfered out very thoroughly so as to fit the flexor muscle
conveniently. There are frequently finger-grooves and finger-tip
cavities in addition to the pegs. The cavity for the index finger having
disappeared, provision is made for that important part of the hand by a
separate peg and groove. The middle finger is also pegged off, and the
last two fingers have to shift for themselves. The hook for the shaft of
the weapon has a fine point like a little bead, the whole implement
being adapted to the light seal-harpoon darts. Mr. Dall collected a
large number of two-pegged sticks from Nunivak Island and four
three-pegged sticks labeled the same. Mr. Nelson also collected four
three-pegged sticks, but labels them Kushunuk; Cape Vancouver, on the
mainland opposite Nunivak (Fig. 17). In these three-pegged sticks the
ring-finger and the little finger are inclosed together. This should be
compared with Mr. Turner's Saint Michael specimen, in which the last
three fingers are inclosed together (Fig. 14). It remains to be seen and
is worthy of investigation whether crossing a narrow channel would add a
peg to the throwing-stick. One of these Nunivak specimens is
left-handed.