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 of 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 from you (Fig. 324), by turning the palm away from you, and then straighten the index, which thus takes upon its back both strings of the index loop and also the far thumb string (Fig. 325). Slip the thumbs from their loops, and turn the hands with the palms facing each other (Fig. 326). You now have a loop on each little finger with its strings passing across the palm to the index; and on each index there are three near strings; an upper far string passing from side to side, and two strings which may be called lower far index strings; together they come through a tight loop around the base of the index.

Fourth: Pass each thumb away from you over these two far index strings and under all the other strings, and with the tip of the middle finger press down the upper straight far index string until it is over the back of the thumb, then catch it on the thumb and bring it back toward you as you return the thumb to its position (Fig. 327).

Fifth: Turn each index down and away from you, and let the upper three near index strings slip over its tip; this leaves one loop on the index. Separate the hands (Fig. 328). There is now a loop on each thumb, a loop on each little finger and a loop on each index.

Sixth: Transfer the thumb loops to the index fingers by putting each index from below into the thumb loop, and withdrawing the thumb and returning the index to its position (Fig. 329).

Seventh: Put each thumb from below into the lower index loop, and with the tip of the middle finger press down the upper far index string until it is over the back of the thumb, when you can catch it on the thumb and draw it toward you (Fig. 330, Left hand) as you return the thumb to its position (Fig. 330, Right hand).

Eighth: Withdraw the index fingers from their loops, turn the hands with the fingers pointing away from you, and extend the figure loosely (Fig. 331). If the strings be drawn tight the pattern cannot be seen.

This is a most interesting and novel figure. The First and Second movements are unlike anything occurring in other figures. In the Fourth and Seventh movement, the use of the middle finger to assist the thumb in catching the string is not a native practice; I have put it in to make these movements easier. The finished pattern differs from the usual finished pattern, because it runs down to form a twisted cord if the strings be pulled too tight; moreover it is not extended in the characteristic Caroline Islands fashion.