From card: "Introduced by Makah 70 years ago. [i.e. about 70 years prior to 1917]. Same as 299054. Bright aniline colors, design [drawing resembling a zigzag is on card] in black."

LEDGER, CATALOG CARD AND SI ARCHIVE DISTRIBUTION DOCUMENTS SAY SENT TO THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK. 1905.

Described p. 101 in Brown, James Temple. 1883. The whale fishery and its appliances. Washington: Govt. print. off.: "Harpoon Head And Laniard. Head made of piece of sheet-brass; barbs, elk-bone, ornamented, covered with a coating of spruce gum. Laniard, sinews of the whale neatly laid up, and served with twine to keep out water, which is injurious to the fibers. Sheath, bark. Makah Indians, Cape Flattery, 1883. James G. Swan. The harpoons formerly used by these Indians were made of mussel shells; at present of copper sheathing, brass, or old saw-blades. The serving for the laniards was formerly made exclusively from the fibers of the nettle, which are also used now by the old men; and though the young men, in some instances, use cotton twine, yet they prefer the nettle. A harpoon that has been successfully used acquires additional value."

From card: "A clam basket with carrying band".