Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 17, 1906.djvu/95

 Collectanea. 83

index fingers and thumbs proximal to thumb string and index finger string, and distal to little finger string, and turn points distalwards, taking off string. Fig. 3 is reproduced. Process is then repeated through 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, indefinitely."

Dr. Weir's Fig. 3 is the same as diagram 3 above. Mr. Livett gives the same method of transforming the "Scraggly" figure, with the same result. He adds, as a variation, that the thumbs and indices may be turned down before extend- ing, when the loop runs out clear, thus bringing the play to a close. The like move and result can be made with the Korean figure.

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Fig. 12.

It may be noted here that the Scraggly figure may be arrived at by the Korean method, by taking up on the dorsa of thumbs and indices the strings which form the outer angles of the central lozenge, that is to say, those angles which open towards either palm, instead of the sides of the lozenge, as is done in Korea.

It will be observed that the English figure is less simple, and that its title suggests a forgotten name. On the other hand, the Korean is open to the graver charge that it is not playing the game. It is true we have no rule to prohibit the process used — and such names for the play as " Faden abheben" in Germany, "Afpakken" in Flanders, do not hint of any — still the unwritten law is evident. It is the more curious because the Korean figure can be obtained immediately