Indian Archery : Page 422

Notches were formed on the ends of the bow to containthe string; these notches were often in the form of an abruptshoulder terminating in a pin over which the string wasfitted. Some tribes were so advanced in technique as to applya sinew backing. This backing was produced by poundingor chewing deer sinew until it was separated into fibres;these were dried and stored for future use. In applying asinew backing, fish skins and heads were boiled thus makinga glue; the sinew fibres were then carefully placed on theback of the bow and set in the glue. After the glue wasthoroughly dry, the back of the bow was smoothed withsand or sand stone after which the bow was liberally greasedwith bear grease.