Page:String Figures and How to Make Them.djvu/179

146 If a second person put his hand through the middle diamond of the figure, his wrist will be caught in a loop if the strings be dropped from the left hand, and the right hand strings pulled to the right. His wrist will not be caught if the strings be dropped from the right hand and the left hand strings pulled to the left.

This figure is closely related to the Torres Straits catch, the "King Fish." The result produced by the first four movements of the "King Fish" differs from the result of the first four movements of this catch merely in the twist in the left index loop. The opening movements of this figure are very neat, and, so far as I know, are not found in any other string figure. Of course the same result can be obtained, if after Opening A you release the right index loop and give the fight thumb and index loops a single twist.

All these catches, whether of wrist or finger, as well as the tricks in which the string is unexpectedly drawn from the hand or neck, possess a great attraction to all natives; it is truly delightful to witness their pleasure when they are successful, and their gratification at the observer's astonishment which it will amply repay him to make very evident.

CIRCLES AND TRIANGLES Dr. Furness obtained this figure from the same woman who taught him the preceding catch. The native name is Bur-bur-ani jau, which has some reference

to a dog. I have called it "Circles and Triangles" until the translation of the native name can be made.

First: Opening A.

Second: Pass each thumb away from you over the far thumb string and the index loop, and pick up from below on the back of the thumb both strings of the little finger loop (Fig. 323, Left hand), and return the thumb to its position (Fig. 323, Right hand).

Third: Bend each index finger well down into the original thumb loop, the strings of which pass toward the centre of the figure, and move the index away