Chapter XXX: Front Matter (30)

“The natives have an easy method of telegraphing news to their distant friends. When Sir Thomas Mitchell was traveling through Eastern Australia he often saw columns of smoke ascending through the trees in the forests, and he soon learned that the natives used the smoke of fires for the purpose of making known his movements to their friends. Near Mount Frazer he observed a dense column of smoke, and subsequently other smokes arose, extending in a telegraphic line far to the south, along the base of the mountains, and thus communicating to the natives who might be upon his route homeward the tidings of his return.

“When Sir Thomas reached Portland Bay he noticed that when a whale appeared in the bay the natives were accustomed to send up a column of smoke, thus giving timely intimation to all the whalers. If the whale should be pursued by one boat’s crew only it might be taken; but if pursued by several, it would probably be run ashore and become food for the blacks.” (Smyth, _loc. cit._, vol. 1, pp. 152, 153, quoting Maj. T. L. Mitchell’s _Eastern Australia_, vol. ii, p. 241.)

Jardine, writing of the natives of Cape York, says that a “communication between the islanders and the natives of the mainland is frequent; and the rapid manner in which news is carried from tribe to tribe, to great distances, is astonishing. I was informed of the approach of Her Majesty’s Steamer Salamander, on her last visit, two days before her arrival here. Intelligence is conveyed by means of fires made to throw up smoke in different forms, and by messengers who perform long and rapid journeys.” (Smyth, _loc. cit._, vol. 1, p. 153, quoting from _Overland Expedition_, p. 85.)

Messengers in all parts of Australia appear to have used this mode of signaling. In Victoria, when traveling through the forests, they were accustomed to raise smoke by filling the hollow of a tree with green boughs and setting fire to the trunk at its base; and in this way, as they always selected an elevated position for the fire when they could, their movements were made known.

When engaged in hunting, when traveling on secret expeditions, when approaching an encampment, when threatened with danger, or when foes menaced their friends, the natives made signals by raising a smoke. And their fires were lighted in such a way as to give forth signals that would be understood by people of their own tribe and by friendly tribes. They exhibited great ability in managing their system of telegraphy; and in former times it was not seldom used to the injury of the white settlers, who at first had no idea that the thin column of smoke rising through the foliage of the adjacent bush, and raised perhaps by some feeble old woman, was an intimation to the warriors to advance and attack the Europeans. (R. Brough Smyth, F.L.S., F.G.S., _The Aborigines of Victoria_. _Melbourne_, 1878, vol. i, pp. 152, 153.)

_FIRE ARROWS._

“Travelers on the prairie have often seen the Indians throwing up signal lights at night, and have wondered how it was done. * * * They take off the head of the arrow and dip the shaft in gunpowder, mixed with glue. * * * The gunpowder adheres to the wood, and coats it three or four inches from its end to the depth of one-fourth of an inch. Chewed bark mixed with dry gunpowder is then fastened to the stick, and the arrow is ready for use. When it is to be fired, a warrior places it on his bowstring and draws his bow ready to let it fly; the point of the arrow is then lowered, another warrior lights the dry bark, and it is shot high in the air. When it has gone up a little distance, it bursts out into a flame, and burns brightly until it falls to the ground. Various meanings are attached to these fire-arrow signals. Thus, one arrow meant, among the Santees, ‘The enemy are about’; two arrows from the same point, ‘Danger’; three, ‘Great danger’; many, ‘They are too strong, or we are falling back’; two arrows sent up at the same moment, ‘We will attack’; three, ‘Soon’; four, ‘Now’; if shot diagonally, ‘In that direction.’ These signals are constantly changed, and are always agreed upon when the party goes out or before it separates. The Indians send their signals very intelligently, and seldom make mistakes in telegraphing each other by these silent monitors. The amount of information they can communicate by fires and burning arrows is perfectly wonderful. Every war party carries with it bundles of signal arrows.” (_Belden_, _The White Chief; or Twelve Years among the Wild Indians of the Plains_. _Cincinnati and New York_, 1871, pp. 106, 107.)

With regard to the above, it is possible that white influence has been felt in the mode of signaling as well as in the use of gunpowder, but it would be interesting to learn if any Indians adopted a similar expedient before gunpowder was known to them. They frequently used arrows, to which flaming material was attached, to set fire to the wooden houses of the early colonists. The Caribs were acquainted with this same mode of destruction as appears by the following quotation:

“Their arrows were commonly poisoned, except when they made their military excursions by night; on these occasions they converted them into instruments of still greater mischief; for, by arming the points with pledgets of cotton dipped in oil, and set on fire, they fired whole villages of their enemies at a distance.” (_Alcedo_. _The Geograph. and Hist. Dict. of America and the West Indies_. Thompson’s trans. _London_, 1812, Vol. I, p. 314.)

_DUST SIGNALS._

When an enemy, game, or anything else which was the special object of search is discovered, handfulls of dust are thrown into the air to announce that discovery. This signal has the same general signification as when riding to and fro, or, round in a circle on an elevated portion of ground, or a bluff. (_Dakota_ VII, VII.)

When any game or any enemy is discovered, and should the sentinel be without a blanket, he throws a handful of dust up into the air. When the Brulés attacked the Ponkas, in 1872, they stood on the bluff and threw up dust. (_Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.)

There appears to be among the Bushmen a custom of throwing up sand or earth into the air when at a distance from home and in need of help of some kind from those who were there. (_Miss L. C. Lloyd_, _MS. Letter_, dated July 10, 1880, from Charlton House, Mowbray, near Cape Town, Africa.)

_NOTES ON CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO SIGNALS._

The following information was obtained from WA-Uⁿ´ (_Bobtail_), MO-HI´-NUK´-MA-HA´-IT (_Big Horse_), Cheyennes, and O-QO-HIS´-SA (_The Mare_, better known as “Little Raven”), and NA´-WATC (_Left Hand_), Arapahos, chiefs and members of a delegation who visited Washington, D.C., in September, 1880, in the interest of their tribes dwelling in Indian Territory:

A party of Indians going on the war-path leave camp, announcing their project to the remaining individuals and informing neighboring friends by sending runners. A party is not systematically organized until several days away from its headquarters, unless circumstances should require immediate action. The pipe-bearers are appointed, who precede the party while on the march, carrying the pipes, and no one is allowed to cross ahead of these individuals, or to join the party by riding up before the head of the column, as it would endanger the success of the expedition. All new arrivals fall in from either side or the rear. Upon coming in sight of any elevations of land likely to afford a good view of the surrounding country the warriors come to a halt and secrete themselves as much as possible. The scouts who have already been selected, advance just before daybreak to within a moderate distance of the elevation to ascertain if any of the enemy has preceded them. This is only discovered by carefully watching the summit to see if any objects are in motion; if not, the flight of birds is observed, and if any should alight upon the hill or butte it would indicate the absence of anything that might ordinarily scare them away. Should a large bird, as a raven, crow, or eagle, fly toward the hill-top and make a sudden swerve to either side and disappear, it would indicate the presence of something sufficient to require further examination. When it is learned that there is reason to suspect an enemy the scout, who has all the time been closely watched by the party in the rear, makes a signal for them to lie still, signifying _danger or caution_. It is made by grasping the blanket with the right hand and waving it earthward from a position in front of and as high as the shoulder. This is nearly the same as civilized Americans use the hand for a similar purpose in battle or hunting to direct “lie quiet”!

Should the hill, however, be clear of any one, the Indian will ascend slowly, and under cover as much as possible, and gain a view of the country. If there is no one to be seen, the blanket is grasped and waved horizontally from right to left and back again repeatedly, showing a clear surface. If the enemy is discovered, the scout will give the _alarm_ by running down the hill, upon a side visible to the watchers, in a zigzag manner, which communicates the state of affairs.

Should any expedition or advance be attempted at night, the same signals as are made with the blanket are made with a firebrand, which is constructed of a bunch of grass tied to a short pole.

When a war party encamps for a night or a day or more, a piece of wood is stuck into the ground, pointing in the direction pursued, with a number of cuts, notches, or marks corresponding to the number of days which the party spent after leaving the last camp until leaving the present camp, serving to show to the recruits to the main party the course to be followed, and the distance.

A hunting party in advancing takes the same precautions as a war party, so as not to be surprised by an enemy. If a scout ascends a prominent elevation and discovers no game, the blanket is grasped and waved horizontally from side to side at the height of the shoulders or head; and if game is discovered the Indian rides back and forth (from left to right) a short distance so that the distant observers can view the maneuver. If a large herd of buffalo is found, the extent traveled over in going to and fro increases in proportion to the size of the herd. A quicker gait is traveled when the herd is very large or haste on the part of the hunters is desired.

It is stated that these Indians also use mirrors to signal from one elevation to another, but the system could not be learned, as they say they have no longer use for it, having ceased warfare (?).

SCHEME OF ILLUSTRATION.

In the following pages the scheme of graphic illustration, intended both to save labor and secure accuracy, which was presented in the _Introduction to the Study of Sign Language_, is reproduced with some improvements. It is given for the use of observers who may not see that publication, the material parts of which being included in the present paper it is not necessary that the former should now be furnished. The TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS were prepared for reference by the corresponding letters of the alphabet to avoid tedious description, should any of them exactly correspond, or by alteration, as suggested in the note following them. These, as well as the OUTLINES OF ARM POSITIONS, giving front and side outlines with arms pendant, were distributed in separate sheets to observers for their convenience in recording, and this will still be cheerfully done when request is made to the present writer. When the sheets are not accessible the TYPES can be used for graphic changes by tracing the one selected, or by a few words indicating the change, as shown in the EXAMPLES. The OUTLINES OF ARM POSITIONS can also be readily traced for the same use as if the sheets had been provided. It is hoped that this scheme, promoting uniformity in description and illustration, will be adopted by all observers who cannot be specially addressed.

Collaborators in the gestures of foreign uncivilized peoples will confer a favor by sending at least one photograph or sketch in native costume of a typical individual of the tribe, the gestures of which are reported upon, in order that it may be reproduced in the complete work. Such photograph or sketch need not be made in the execution of any particular gesture, which can be done by artists engaged on the work, but would be still more acceptable if it could be so made.

OUTLINES FOR ARM POSITIONS IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

The gestures, to be indicated by corrected positions of arms and by dotted lines showing the motion from the initial to the final positions (which are severally marked by an arrow-head and a cross--see EXAMPLES), will always be shown as they appear to an observer facing the gesturer, the front outline, Fig. 340, or side, Fig. 341, or both, being used as most convenient. The special positions of hands and fingers will be designated by reference to the TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS. For brevity in the written description, “hand” may be used for “right hand,” when that one alone is employed in any particular gesture. When more convenient to use the profile figure in which the right arm is exhibited for a gesture actually made by the left hand and arm it can be done, the fact, however, being noted.

In cases where the conception or origin of any sign is ascertained or suggested it should be annexed to the description, and when obtained from the gesturer will be so stated affirmatively, otherwise it will be considered to be presented by the observer. The graphic illustration of associated facial expression or bodily posture which may accentuate or qualify a gesture is necessarily left to the ingenuity of the contributor.

_ORDER OF ARRANGEMENT._

The following order of arrangement for written descriptions is suggested. The use of a separate sheet or part sheet of paper for each sign described and illustrated would be convenient in the collation. It should always be affirmatively stated whether the “conception or origin” of the sign was procured from the sign-maker, or is suggested or inferred by the observer.

_Word or idea expressed by Sign:_ __________________

DESCRIPTION:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN:

____________________________________________________

_Tribe:_ ________________________________

_Locality:_ ______________________________

_Date:_ _____________________ 188_.

__________________________
_Observer._

TYPES OF HAND POSITIONS IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

A--Fist, palm outward, horizontal.

B--Fist, back outward, oblique upward.

C--Clinched, with thumb extended against forefinger, upright, edge outward.

D--Clinched, ball of thumb against middle of forefinger, oblique, upward, palm down.

E--Hooked, thumb against end of forefinger, upright, edge outward.

F--Hooked, thumb against side of forefinger, oblique, palm outward.

G--Fingers resting against ball of thumb, back upward.

H--Arched, thumb horizontal against end of forefinger, back upward.

I--Closed, except forefinger crooked against end of thumb, upright, palm outward.

J--Forefinger straight, upright, others closed, edge outward.

K--Forefinger obliquely extended upward, others closed, edge outward.

L--Thumb vertical, forefinger horizontal, others closed, edge outward.]

M--Forefinger horizontal, fingers and thumb closed, palm outward.

N--First and second fingers straight upward and separated, remaining fingers and thumb closed, palm outward.

O--Thumb, first and second fingers separated, straight upward, remaining fingers curved edge outward.

P--Fingers and thumb partially curved upward and separated, knuckles outward.

Q--Fingers and thumb, separated, slightly curved, downward.

R--Fingers and thumb extended straight, separated, upward.

S--Hand and fingers upright, joined, back outward.

T--Hand and fingers upright, joined, palm outward.

U--Fingers collected to a point, thumb resting in middle.

V--Arched, joined, thumb resting near end of forefinger, downward.

W--Hand horizontal, flat, palm downward.

X--Hand horizontal, flat, palm upward.

Y--Naturally relaxed, normal; used when hand simply follows arm with no intentional disposition.]

NOTE CONCERNING THE FOREGOING TYPES.

The positions are given as they appear to an observer facing the gesturer, and are designed to show the relations of the fingers to the hand rather than the positions of the hand relative to the body, which must be shown by the outlines (see OUTLINES OF ARM POSITIONS) or description. The right and left hands are figured above without discrimination, but in description or reference the right hand will be understood when the left is not specified. The hands as figured can also with proper intimation be applied with changes either upward, downward, or inclined to either side, so long as the relative positions of the fingers are retained, and when in that respect no one of the types exactly corresponds with a sign observed, modifications may be made by pen or pencil on that one of the types, or a tracing of it, found most convenient, as indicated in the EXAMPLES, and referred to by the letter of the alphabet under the type changed, with the addition of a numeral--_e.g._, A 1, and if that type, _i.e._, A, were changed a second time by the observer (which change would necessarily be drawn on another sheet of types or another tracing of a type selected when there are no sheets provided), it should be referred to as A 2.

EXAMPLES.

_Word or idea expressed by sign: To cut, with an ax._

DESCRIPTION.

With the right hand flattened (X changed to right instead of left), palm upward, move it downward to the left side repeatedly from different elevations, ending each stroke at the same point. Fig. 343.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

From the act of felling a tree.

_Word or idea expressed by sign: A lie._

DESCRIPTION.

Touch the left breast over the heart, and pass the hand forward from the mouth, the two first fingers only being extended and slightly separated (L, 1--with thumb resting on third finger, Fig. 344a). Fig. 344.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

Double-tongued.

_Word or idea expressed by sign: To ride._

DESCRIPTION.

Place the first two fingers of the right hand, thumb extended (N 1, Fig. 345a) downward, astraddle the first two joined and straight fingers of the left (T 1, Fig. 345b), sidewise, to the right, then make several short, arched movements forward with hands so joined. Fig. 345.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

The horse mounted and in motion.

_Word or idea expressed by signs: I am going home._

DESCRIPTION.

(1) Touch the middle of the breast with the extended index (K), then (2) pass it slowly downward and outward to the right, and when the hand is at arm’s length, at the height of the shoulder, (3) clinch it (A) suddenly and throw it edgewise toward the ground. Fig. 346.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

(1) I, personality; (2) motion and direction; (3) locality of my possessions--home.

EXPLANATION OF MARKS.

The following indicative marks are used in the above examples:

........... Dotted lines indicate movements to place the hand and arm in position to commence the sign and not forming part of it.

- - - - - - Short dashes indicate the course of hand employed in the sign, when made rapidly.

-- -- -- -- Longer dashes indicate a less rapid movement.

---- ---- Broken lines represent slow movement.

> Indicates commencement of movement in representing sign, or part of sign.

× Represents the termination of movements.

☉ Indicates the point in the gesture line at which the hand position is changed.

* * * * *
* * * *

_Errors and Inconsistencies: Sign Language_

--Missing or misplaced periods adjoining a close parenthesis were
silently regularized.
--In the List of Illustrations, “Ib.” and “Do.”/“do.” were
consistently printed without final period; it has been supplied
by the transcriber.
--Inconsistent accentuation of “Natci”/“Nátci” is unchanged, as is
the variable punctuation (comma or period) between a book’s title
and place of publication.
--The terms “jr.” and “sr.” are always printed in lower case.

The verses in the section on Gestures of Actors are loosely quoted from “The Rosciad” by Charles Churchill, which more accurately reads:

“When to enforce some very tender part,
The right hand slips by instinct on the heart,
His soul, of every other thought bereft,
Is anxious only where to place the left;”

on my alluding to the tact which the pupil ... had
[_text unchanged: error for “talent”?_]
“He quickly turned round...
[_preceding row of asterisks is printed in the original_]
diminutive of Peppe, which is diminutive of Guiseppe [Guiseppe]
linear hieroglyphs given by Champollion (_Dictionnaire Égyptien_)
[Egyptien]
His left hand sleeps by instinct on the heart;
[_obvious error for “right”; see full passage quoted above_]
The Arikara sign for _soldier_ is by placing
[_text unchanged: “is made by”?_]
the Greek τύπτω, [the Greek, τύπτω]
The Chinese character for _man_ is Fig. 130, [_man_, is]
The Egyptian generic character for _female_ is [Symbol: semicircle]
(Champollion, _Dict._), [(Champollion, _Dict._,)]
I have not seen it used with the sign for pleasure or that of hunger,
[_obvious error unchanged: see beginning of paragraph_]
_Travels in the Interior of North America_, _London_
[_... North America_;]
Extend and spread the right, fore, and middle fingers
[_punctuation unchanged_]
described with precise detail as in EXTRACTS FROM DICTIONARY
[_text unchanged: superfluous “as”?_]
_Rhet. ad Herenn._, l. 3 [_Rhet. ad Herenn_,]
is commonly called James’ Long’s Expedition
[_not an error: “James” is the author’s surname_]
The one collected by Prince MAXIMILIAN VON WIED-NEUWIED
[_“von” printed in plain text_]
Apache chiefs from Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico [chief]
Elevate the right-hand, extended, with fingers joined
[_anomalous hyphen in original_]
a short of wrenching motion [_error for “a sort of”?_]
the same movements on the left side of the body. [the body,]
lower sides of the extended left forefinger [_final “r” invisible_]
from right to left under the nose. (_Arapaho_ II...)
[_opening parenthesis missing_]
“It is said that after a battle the Utes took many Sioux prisoners
and cut their throats; hence the sign ‘cut-throats’.”
[_inner quotes missing:
“It is said that after a battle the Utes took many Sioux prisoners
and cut their throats; hence the sign “cut-throats.”]
“Cut-throats.” Fig. 290. [Fig 290.]
along the shores of these the reptile was found [_text unchanged_]
throw right hand forward--_go_ or _going_ [forward--“_go_]
(39) Sign for _camp_ as before (No. 10)--_camp_. [(No. 10) _camp_]
(117) Repeated No. 70--_Ga-bi-wa-bi-ko-ke_. [Ga-bi-wa bi-ko-ke]
my trowsers two [_error for “too”?_]
he again gave the negative sign--_No Indian there_
[negative sign.--]
pointing upward--_All look the same_, or _alike_.
[_“alike” printed in plain (not Italic) type_]
mạkimakă´da-halidié [_hyphen at line break may not be needed_]
_Miss L. C. Lloyd_, _MS. Letter_ [_Miss L. C. Lloyd_,,]

* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION--BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.

J. W. Powell, Director.

Catalogue

of

LINGUISTIC MANUSCRIPTS

in the

Library of the Bureau of Ethnology.

By

JAMES C. PILLING.

[Transcriber’s Note (Linguistic Manuscripts):

Book sizes printed as 4^o, 8^o, 12^o with superscript “o” have been
written out as 4to, 8vo, 12mo.]

CONTENTS.

Introductory 555
List of manuscripts 562

* * * * *

CATALOGUE OF LINGUISTIC MANUSCRIPTS

IN THE LIBRARY OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.

* * * * *

Mr. Henry R. Schoolcraft, while engaged in the preparation of his work--“Information respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States”--sent to various persons residing among the Indians a “Comparative Vocabulary of the Languages of the Indian Tribes of the United States,” a quarto paper of 25 pages, comprising 350 words, and the numerals one to one billion. The returns from this were for the most part incorporated in his work; a few, however, found their way into the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

In 1853-’54, Mr. George Gibbs, while engaged under Gov. Isaac I. Stevens in “Explorations for a route for the Pacific Railroad near the 47th and 49th parallels of north latitude,” became interested in the study of the languages of the Indians inhabiting the Northwest, and collected many vocabularies. To further extend this work, he prepared and had printed a folio paper of three leaves entitled “A vocabulary of 180 words which it is desired to collect in the different languages and dialects throughout the Pacific Coast for publication by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington.”

These were sent to such persons as, in his judgment, were competent to furnish the material desired, and many of them, filled or partly filled, were returned to him. A second edition of this vocabulary, 6 ll., folio, was issued.

In 1863 there was published by the Smithsonian Institution a pamphlet with the following title:

Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. | --160-- | Instructions |
for research relative to the | Ethnology and Philology | of |
America. | Prepared for the Smithsonian Institution. | By | George
Gibbs. | Washington: | Smithsonian Institution: | March, 1863.

2 p. ll., pp. 1-51. 8vo.

In his introductory remarks, Professor Henry thus states the object of the paper:

“The Smithsonian Institution is desirous of extending and completing its collections of facts and materials relative to the Ethnology, Archæology, and Philology of the races of mankind inhabiting, either now or at any previous period, the continent of America, and earnestly solicits the coöperation in this object of all officers of the United States Government, and travellers or residents who may have it in their power to render any assistance.”

Under the head of Philology, Mr. Gibbs gave a brief account of some of the peculiarities of Indian languages, with general directions for the best method of collecting certain words; a simple and practical alphabet; and a vocabulary in English, Spanish, French, and Latin of 211 words. Speaking of the latter, he says:

“In view of the importance of a uniform system in collecting words of the various Indian languages of North America, adapted to the use of officers of the government, travellers, and others, the following is recommended as a STANDARD VOCABULARY. It is mainly the one prepared by the late Hon. Albert Gallatin, with a few changes made by Mr. Hale, the Ethnologist of the United States Exploring Expedition, and is adopted as that upon which nearly all the collections hitherto made for the purpose of comparison have been based. For the purpose of ascertaining the more obvious relations between the various members of existing families this number is deemed sufficient. The remote affinities must be sought in a wider research, demanding a degree of acquaintance with their languages beyond the reach of transient visitors.”

The vocabulary given in this paper was separately printed on writing paper, 10 ll., 4to, and reprinted, 6 ll., folio, and was distributed widely among the missionaries, Indian agents, travelers, and local collectors in ethnology, and has served a valuable purpose, resulting in the collection by the Smithsonian Institution of a large number of vocabularies, comprising many of the languages and dialects of the Indian tribes of the United States, British America, and Mexico.

This material, as it was received, was placed in the hands of Mr. Gibbs for revision and classification--a work in which he was engaged at the time of his death, which occurred before any of it was published.

In 1876, Professor Henry turned this material over to Maj. J. W. Powell, then in charge of the United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region, to be consolidated and published in connection with like material collected by himself and his assistants while among the Indians of the western portion of the United States. A number were accordingly published in the “Contributions to North American Ethnology,” Vols. I and III, a quarto series issued by the Survey.

Wishing to extend the work already begun by the Smithsonian Institution, Major Powell, in 1877, prepared the following paper:

Introduction | to the | Study of Indian Languages, | with words,
phrases, and sentences to be collected. | By J. W. Powell. |
Washington: | Government Printing Office. | 1877.

Pp. 1-104, 10 ruled ll., 4to.

In his opening remarks, referring to the manuscripts derived from the distribution of Mr. Gibbs’ paper, the author says: “It has, in fact, greatly stimulated investigation, giving wiser direction to inquiry, and the results have abundantly proved the value of the ‘Instructions’ and the wisdom of its publication; and it serves to mark an epoch in the history of ethnographic investigation in America. The material which has thus been accumulated is of great amount, and its study has led to such important conclusions that it is deemed wise to prepare a new system of instruction, more comprehensive in plan and more elaborate in detail. First, it is found necessary to enlarge the alphabet so as to include a greater number of sounds, which have been discovered in the North American languages, and to mark other letters with greater precision. Second, it is necessary to enlarge the vocabulary so as to modify it somewhat, as experience has dictated, so that new words may be collected. Third, it is desirable that many simple phrases and sentences should be given--so chosen as to bring out the more important characteristics of grammatic structure.”

In the preparation of this paper, the alphabet was considered to be of prime importance. Concerning it, the author says: “After devoting much time to the consideration of the subject, and the examination of many alphabets devised by scholars and linguists, none was found against which there was not serious objections, and the author attempted to devise an alphabet which would contain all the supposed requirements; but there were many difficulties in the way, and many compromises to be made in weighing the various considerations. At this stage of the work he applied to the eminent philologist, Prof. W. D. Whitney, for assistance. After much consultation and the weighing of the many considerations arising from the large amount of manuscript material in the author’s hands, Professor Whitney kindly prepared the following paper on the alphabet.”

The words, phrases, and sentences to be collected are arranged in schedules, each preceded by instructions, and followed by blanks for additions, as follows:

I. Persons, 15 words.

II. Parts of the body, 103 words.

III. Relationships:
Relationships arising from the first and second generations,
58 words.
Relationships arising from the third generation, 224 words.
Relationships arising from the fourth generation, 24 words.
Names of children in order of birth, 26 words.

IV. Social organization.

V. Governmental organization, 22 words.

VI. Religion, 6 words.

VII. Disposal of the dead, 8 words.

VIII. Dress and ornaments, 39 words.

IX. Dwellings, 26 words.

X. Implements and utensils, 36 words.
Basket-ware, 15 words.
Woodenware, 7 words.
Utensils of shell, horn, bone, &c., 5 words.
Stone implements, 13 words.
Pottery, &c., 11 words.

XI. Food, 6 words.

XII. Games and sports, 5 words.

XIII. Animals:
Mammals, 91 words.
Parts of the body, &c., of mammals, 36 words.
Birds, 192 words.
Parts of the body, &c., of birds, 26 words.
Fish, 12 words.
Parts of the body, &c., of fish, 12 words.
Reptiles, 6 words.
Insects, 11 words.

XIV. Trees, shrubs, fruits, &c., 8 words.

XV. The firmament, meteorologic and other physical phenomena
and objects, 41 words.

XVI. Geographic terms, 8 words.

XVII. Geographic names.

XVIII. Colors, 13 words.

XIX. Numerals:
Cardinal numbers, 58 words (1-1000).
Ordinal numbers, 30 words.
Numeral adverbs denoting repetition of action, 23 words.
Multiplicatives, 22 words.
Distributives, 23 words.

XX. Measures.

XXI. Divisions of time, 29 words.

XXII. Standard of value.

XXIII. New words, 84 words.

XXIV. Phrases and sentences, 545 phrases, &c.

This paper was prepared with special reference to the wants of the collector, being printed on bond paper and bound in flexible cloth. It was widely distributed and, like that of Mr. Gibbs, resulted in the collection of valuable linguistic material.

In 1879 Congress consolidated the various surveys, including that of the Rocky Mountain Region, into the United States Geological Survey, but made provision for continuing the publication of the Contributions to North American Ethnology under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and directed that the ethnologic material in Major Powell’s hands be turned over to the Institution. Thus the Bureau of Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution was organized, and Major Powell was placed at its head.

By this time the growing interest manifested in the study of North American linguistics rendered necessary the preparation of a new edition of the Introduction. In the words of the author:

“The progress made by various students, and the studies made by the author, alike require that a new edition be prepared to meet the more advanced wants and to embody the results of wider studies. Under these circumstances the present edition is published. It does not purport to be a philosophic treatment of the subject of language; it is not a comparative grammar of Indian tongues; it is simply a series of explanations of certain characteristics almost universally found by students of Indian languages--the explanations being of such a character as experience has shown would best meet the wants of persons practically at work in the field on languages with which they are unfamiliar. The book is a body of directions for collectors.

“It is believed that the system of schedules, followed _seriatim_, will lead the student in a proper way to the collection of linguistic materials; that the explanations given will assist him in overcoming the difficulties which he is sure to encounter; and that the materials when collected will constitute valuable contributions to philology. It has been the effort of the author to connect the study of language with the study of other branches of anthropology, for a language is best understood when the habits, customs, institutions, philosophy--the subject-matter of thought embodied in the language--are best known. The student of language should be a student of the people who speak the language; and to this end the book has been prepared, with many hints and suggestions relating to other branches of anthropology.”

The title of this publication is as follows:

Smithsonian Institution--Bureau of Ethnology | J. W. Powell Director
| Introduction | to the | Study of Indian Languages | with | Words
Phrases and Sentences to be Collected | By J. W. Powell | Second
edition--with charts | Washington | Government Printing Office |
1880

Pp. i-xii, 1-228, and 8 ruled leaves. 4to.

The following is the

TABLE OF CONTENTS.