86 THE GREAT DENE RACE.

proper shape for the same purpose the copper bars they derived from the
sea coast. Later on, pewter and silver, which first came to them under the
’ shape of spoons, and American coins introduced by the traders, were also
put to the same uses. The Navahoes act likewise with regard to the cheap
Mexican dollar pieces and some of their bracelets are quite heavy and much
broader than those of the north. They are also worn by men and women
among them, while the northern tribes restrict their use
to the fair sex.

The regular bracelets are called natthan, or “that
[being heavy] which lies around”, by the Carriers. A dif-
ferent kind is made of glass beads sewed with sinew
= / thread according to such patterns as suit the fancy of
‘See the wearer. These wristlets are further adorned with

Fig. 10. ribbons, pearl buttons, etc., and are proper to youths,
who call them d/a-tceen, “hand-stick (or handle)’.

The primitive Dénés were not acquainted with finger-rings. But as soon
as they became aware of the existence of such ornaments among the white
traders, they set upon fabricating some, generally after the pattern illustrated
by fig. 10, when they lacked the means of buying those of brass or copper
offered by the strangers. The material, when home made, was again cariboo
horn. To-day even the Carriers, who prefer buying to manufacturing, occa-
sionally hammer silver coins into good sized finger-rings, as do also very
generally the Navahoes.

Practically all the Dénés, especially the women, have their fingers loaded
with three or four rings. Only the poorer individuals content themselves with
one or two. Anklets, as worn by the natives of Africa, were never known
among our people.