Chapter I: Am Going Home (3)

The discovery of enemies, game, or anything else, is announced by riding rapidly to and fro, or in a circle. The idea that there is a difference in the signification of these two directions of riding appears, according to many of the Dakota Indians of the Missouri Valley, to be erroneous. Parties away from their regular encampment are generally in search of some special object, such as game, or of another party, either friendly or hostile, which is, generally understood, and when that object is found, the announcement is made to their companions in either of the above ways. The reason that a horseman may ride from side to side is, that the party to whom he desires to communicate may be at a particular locality, and his movement--at right angles to the direction to the party--would be perfectly clear. Should the party be separated into smaller bands, or have flankers or scouts at various points, the only way in which the rider's signal could be recognized as a motion from side to side, by all the persons to whom the signal was directed, would be for him to ride in a circle, which he naturally does. (_Dakota_ VI, VII, VIII.) Fig. 338.

The latter was noticed by Dr. Hoffman in 1873, on the Yellowstone River, while attached to the Stanley Expedition. The Indians had again concentrated after their first repulse by General Custer, and taken possession of the woods and bluffs on the opposite side of the river. As the column came up, one Indian was seen upon a high bluff to ride rapidly round in a circle, occasionally firing off his revolver. The signal announced the discovery of the advancing force, which had been expected, and he could be distinctly seen from the surrounding region. As many of the enemy were still scattered over the neighborhood, some of them would not have been able to recognize this signal had he ridden to and from an observer, but the circle produced a lateral movement visible from any point.

---- Of enemies, or other game than Buffalo. See also NOTES ON CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO SIGNALS.

The discovery of enemies is indicated by riding rapidly around in a circle, so that the signal could be seen by their friends, but out of sight of the discovered enemy. (_Dakota_ I.)

When enemies are discovered, or other game than buffalo, the sentinel waves his blanket over his head up and down, holding an end in each hand. (_Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.)

---- Of game, wood, water, &c.

This is communicated by riding rapidly forward and backward on the top of the highest hill. The same would be communicated with a blanket by waving it right and left, and then directly toward the game or whatever the party might be searching for, indicating that it is not to the right or to the left, but directly in front. (_Dakota_ I.)

DRILL, MILITARY.

"It is done by signals, devised after a system of the Indian's own invention, and communicated in various ways.

"Wonderful as the statement may appear, the signaling on a bright day, when the sun is in the proper direction, is done with a piece of looking-glass held in the hollow of the hand. The reflection of the sun's rays thrown on the ranks communicates in some mysterious way the wishes of the chief. Once standing on a little knoll overlooking the valley of the South Platte, I witnessed almost at my feet a drill of about one hundred warriors by a Sioux chief, who sat on his horse on a knoll opposite me, and about two hundred yards from his command in the plain below. For more than half an hour he commanded a drill, which for variety and promptness of action could not be equaled by any civilized cavalry of the world. All I could see was an occasional movement of the right arm. He himself afterwards told me that he used a looking-glass." (Dodge's _Plains of the Great West_, _loc. cit._, pp. 307, 308.)

FRIENDSHIP.

If two Indians [of the plains] are approaching one another on horseback, and they may, for instance, be one mile apart, or as far as they can see each other. At that safe distance one wants to indicate to the other that he wishes to be friendly. He does this by turning his horse around and traveling about fifty paces back and forth, repeating this two or three times; this shows to the other Indian that he is not for hostility, but for friendly relations. If the second Indian accepts this proffered overture of friendship, he indicates the same by locking the fingers of both hands as far as to the first joints, and in that position raises his hands and lets them rest on his forehead with the palms either in or out, indifferently, as if he were trying to shield his eyes from the excessive light of the sun. This implies, "I, too, am for peace," or "I accept your overture." (_Sac, Fox, and Kickapoo_ I.) It is interesting in this connection to note the reception of Father Marquette by an Illinois chief who is reported to have raised his hands to his eyes as if to shield them from overpowering splendor. That action was supposed to be made in a combination of humility and admiration, and a pretended inability to gaze on the face of the illustrious guest has been taken to be the conception of the gesture, which in fact was probably only the holding the interlocked hands in the most demonstrative posture. An oriental gesture in which the flat hand is actually interposed as a shield to the eyes before a superior is probably made with the poetical conception erroneously attributed to the Indian.

The display of green branches to signalize friendly or pacific intentions does not appear to have been noticed among the North American Indians by trustworthy observers. Captain Cook makes frequent mention of it as the ceremonial greeting among islands he visited. See his _Voyage toward the South Pole. London_, 1784, Vol. II, pp. 30 and 35. Green branches were also waved, in signal of _friendship_ by the natives of the island of New Britain to the members of the expedition in charge of Mr. Wilfred Powell in 1878. _Proceedings of the Royal Geological Society_, February, 1881, p. 89.

HALT!

---- Stand there! he is coming this way.

Grasp the end of the blanket or robe; wave it downward several times. (_Omaha_ I.)

---- To inquire disposition.

Wave the folded blanket to the right and left in front of the body, then point toward the person or persons approaching, and carry it from a horizontal position in front of the body rapidly downward and upward several times. (_Dakota_ I.)

MANY.

Wave the blanket directly in front of the body upward and downward several times. Many of _anything_. (_Dakota_ I.)

PEACE, COUPLED WITH INVITATION.

Motion of spreading a real or imaginary robe or skin on the ground. Noticed by Lewis and Clark on their first meeting with the Shoshoni in 1805. (_Lewis and Clark's Travels_, &c., London, 1817, vol. ii, p. 74.) This signal is more particularly described as follows: Grasp the blanket by the two corners with the hands, throw it above the head, allowing it to unfold as it falls to the ground as if in the act of spreading it.

QUESTION.

The ordinary manner of opening communication with parties known or supposed to be hostile is to ride toward them in zigzag manner, or to ride in a circle. (Custer's _My Life on the Plains_, _loc. cit._, p. 58.)

This author mentions (p. 202) a systematic manner of waving a blanket, by which the son of Satana, the Kaiowa chief, conveyed information to him, and a similar performance by Yellow Bear, a chief of the Arapahos (p. 219), neither of which he explains in detail.

---- I do not know you. Who are you?

Point the folded blanket at arm's length toward the person, and then wave it toward the right and left in front of the face. You--I don't know. Take an end of the blanket in each hand, and extend the arms to full capacity at the sides of the body, letting the other ends hang down in front of the body to the ground, means, Where do you come from? or who are you? (_Dakota_ I.)

SAFETY. ALL QUIET. SEE NOTES ON CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO SIGNALS.

SURRENDER.

Hold the folded blanket or a piece of cloth high above the head. "This really means 'I want to die right now.'" (_Dakota_ I.)

SURROUNDED, WE ARE.

Take an end of the blanket in each hand, extend the arms at the sides of the body, allowing the blanket to hang down in front of the body, and then wave it in a circular manner. (_Dakota_ I.)

SIGNALS MADE WHEN THE PERSON OF THE SIGNALIST IS NOT VISIBLE.

Those noted consist of SMOKE, FIRE, or DUST signals.

_SMOKE SIGNALS GENERALLY._

They [the Indians] had abandoned the coast, along which bale-fires were left burning and sending up their columns of smoke to advise the distant bands of the arrival of their old enemy. (Schoolcraft's _History_, &c., vol. iii, p. 35, giving a condensed account of De Soto's expedition.)

"Their systems of telegraphs are very peculiar, and though they might seem impracticable at first, yet so thoroughly are they understood by the savages that it is availed of frequently to immense advantage. The most remarkable is by raising smokes, by which many important facts are communicated to a considerable distance and made intelligible by the manner, size, number, or repetition of the smokes, which are commonly raised by firing spots of dry grass." (Josiah Gregg's _Commerce of the Prairies_. _New York_, 1844, vol. ii, p. 286.)

The highest elevations of land are selected as stations from which signals with smoke are made. These can be seen at a distance of from twenty to fifty miles. By varying the number of columns of smoke different meanings are conveyed. The most simple as well as the most varied mode, and resembling the telegraphic alphabet, is arranged by building a small fire, which is not allowed to blaze; then by placing an armful of partially green grass or weeds over the fire, as if to smother it, a dense white smoke is created, which ordinarily will ascend in a continuous vertical column for hundreds of feet. Having established a current of smoke, the Indian simply takes his blanket and by spreading it over the small pile of weeds or grass from which the smoke takes its source, and properly controlling the edges and corners of the blanket, he confines the smoke, and is in this way able to retain it for several moments. By rapidly displacing the blanket, the operator is enabled to cause a dense volume of smoke to rise, the length or shortness of which, as well as the number and frequency of the columns, he can regulate perfectly, simply by a proper use of the blanket. (Custer's _My life on the Plains_, _loc. cit._, p. 187.)

They gathered an armful of dried grass and weeds, which were placed and carried upon the highest point of the peak, where, everything being in readiness, the match was applied close to the ground; but the blaze was no sooner well lighted and about to envelop the entire amount of grass collected than it was smothered with the unlighted portion. A slender column of gray smoke then began to ascend in a perpendicular column. This was not enough, as it might be taken for the smoke rising from a simple camp-fire. The smoldering grass was then covered with a blanket, the corners of which were held so closely to the ground as to almost completely confine and cut off the column of smoke. Waiting a few moments, until the smoke was beginning to escape from beneath, the blanket was suddenly thrown aside, when a beautiful balloon-shaped column puffed up ward like the white cloud of smoke which attends the discharge of a field-piece. Again casting the blanket on the pile of grass, the column was interrupted as before, and again in due time released, so that a succession of elongated, egg-shaped puffs of smoke kept ascending toward the sky in the most regular manner. This bead-like column of smoke, considering the height from which it began to ascend, was visible from points on the level plain fifty miles distant. (Ib., p. 217.)

* * * * *

The following extracts are made from Fremont's _First and Second Expeditions_, 1842-3-4, Ex. Doc., 28th Cong. 2d Session, Senate, Washington, 1845:

"Columns of smoke rose over the country at scattered intervals--signals by which the Indians here, as elsewhere, communicate to each other that enemies are in the country," p. 220. This was January 18, 1844, in the vicinity of Pyramid Lake, and perhaps the signalists were Pai-Utes.

"While we were speaking, a smoke rose suddenly from the cottonwood grove below, which plainly told us what had befallen him [Tabeau]; it was raised to inform the surrounding Indians that a blow had been struck, and to tell them to be on their guard," p. 268, 269. This was on May 5, 1844, near the Rio Virgen, Utah, and was narrated of "Diggers," probably Chemehuevas.

ARRIVAL OF A PARTY AT AN APPOINTED PLACE, WHEN ALL IS SAFE.

This is made by sending upward one column of smoke from, a fire partially smothered by green grass. This is only used by previous agreement, and if seen by friends of the party, the signal is answered in the same manner. But should either party discover the presence of enemies, no signal would be made, but the fact would be communicated by a runner. (_Dakota_ I.)

SUCCESS OF A WAR PARTY.

Whenever a war party, consisting of either Pima, Papago, or Maricopa Indians, returned from an expedition into the Apache country, their success was announced from the first and most distant elevation visible from their settlements. The number of scalps secured was shown by a corresponding number of columns of smoke, arranged in a horizontal line, side by side, so as to be distinguishable by the observers. When the returning party was unsuccessful, no such signals were made. (_Pima and Papago_ I.) Fig. 339. A similar custom appears to have existed among the Ponkas, although the custom has apparently been discontinued by them, as shown in the following proper name: Cu-de ga-xe, Smoke maker: He who made a smoke by burning grass returning from war.

_SMOKE SIGNALS OF THE APACHES._

The following information was obtained by Dr. W.J. HOFFMAN from the Apache chiefs named on page 407, under the title of TINNEAN, (_Apache_ I):

The materials used in making smoke of sufficient density and color consist of pine or cedar boughs, leaves and grass, which can nearly always be obtained in the regions occupied by the Apaches of Northern New Mexico. These Indians state that they employ but three kinds of signals, each of which consists of columns of smoke, numbering from one to three or more.

ALARM.

This signal is made by causing three or more columns of smoke to ascend, and signifies danger or the approach of an enemy, and also requires the concentration of those who see them. These signals are communicated from one camp to another, and the most distant bands are guided by their location. The greater the haste desired the greater the number of columns of smoke. These are often so hastily made that they may resemble puffs of smoke, and are caused by throwing heaps of grass and leaves upon the embers again and again.

ATTENTION.

This signal is generally made by producing one continuous column, and signifies attention for several purposes, viz, when a band had become tired of one locality, or the grass may have been consumed by the ponies, or some other cause necessitated removal, or should an enemy be reported, which would require farther watching before a decision as to future action would be made. The intention or knowledge of anything unusual would be communicated to neighboring bands by causing one column of smoke to ascend.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A CAMP; QUIET; SAFETY.

When a removal of camp has been made, after the signal for ATTENTION has been given, and the party have selected a place where they propose to remain until there may be a necessity or desire for their removal, two columns of smoke are made, to inform their friends that they propose to remain at that place. Two columns are also made at other times during a long continued residence, to inform the neighboring bands that a camp still exists, and that all is favorable and quiet.

_FOREIGN SMOKE SIGNALS._

The following examples of smoke signals in foreign lands are added for comparison.

Miss Haigh, speaking of the Guanches of the Canary Islands at the time of the Spanish conquest, says: "When an enemy approached, they alarmed the country by raising a thick smoke or by whistling, which was repeated from one to another. This latter method is still in use among the people of Teneriffe, and may be heard at an almost incredible distance." (_Trans. Eth. Soc. Lond. vii_, 1869, sec. ser., pp. 109, 110.)

"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 Brules 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-U[n]'(_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 outline's 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.

FIG. 342a.

FIG. 342b.

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.

X Represents the termination of movements.

[Symbol: Circle about a dot] Indicates the point in the gesture line at which the hand position is changed.

INDEX.

Abbreviations in signs, 338
Abnaki, Intelligence communicated by, 369
Absaroka, Tribal signs for, 458
Abstract ideas expressed in signs, 348
Actors, modern, Use of gestures by, 308
Addison, Gestures of orators, 294
Aeschylus, Theatrical gestures, 286
Affirmation, Sign for, 286, 454
Alarm, Signs for, 529, 538
Alaskan Indians, Dialogue between, 492
Alaskans, Sign language of the, 313
Alive, Sign for, 421
All together, Sign for, 523
Anger, Sign for, 301
, Signal for, 529
Antelope, Signs for, 410
Antiquity of gesture speech, 285
Apache pictographs connected with signs, 372
, Tribal signs for, 459
Apaches, Smoke signals of the, 538
Aphasia, Gestures in, 276
Applause, Signs for, 300
Application, Practical, of sign language, 346
Approbation, Sign for, 286
Arapaho, Tribal signs for, 460
Arbitrary signs, 340
Archaeologic research connected with sign language, 368
Argyle, Duke of, Gestures of Fuegans, 293
Arikara, Tribal signs for, 461
Arm positions, Outlines of, in sign language, 545
Arrangement in descriptions of signs, 546
Art, Modern Italian, exhibiting gestures, 292
Articulate speech, preceded by gesture, 274, 284
Artificial articulation, 275, 307
Asking, Signs for, 291, 297
Assinaboin, Tribal signs for, 461
Astute, Sign for, 305
Athenaeus, Account of Telestes, 286
, Classification of gestures, 285
Atsina, Tribal signs for, 462
Attention, Signal for, 539
Austin, Rev. Gilbert, Chironomia, 289
Australians, Gestures of, 306
Authorities in sign language, List of, 401
Ax, Sign for, 380
Bad, Signs for, 411
Banak, Tribal signs for, 462
Battle, Sign for, 419
Bear, Signs for, 412
Bede, The venerable, Treatise on gestures, 287
Bell, Prof. A. Graham, Vocal articulation of dogs, 275
Blackfeet, Tribal signs for, 462
Blind, Gestures of the, 278
Born, Signs for, 356
Bossu, M., Signs of the Atakapa, 324
Brave, Signs for, 352, 364, 414
Brother, Sign for, 521
Brule Dakota colloquy in signs, 491
Buffalo, Sign for, 488
Signals for, discovered, 532
Bushmann, J.C.E., Signs of Accocessaws, 324
Butler, Prof. James D., Italian signs, 408
Burton, Capt. R.F., Arapaho language, 314
Cabeca de Vaca, Signs of Timucuas, 324
Caddo, Tribal sign for, 464
Camp, Signals for, 532, 539
Capture, Sign for, 506
Chesterfield, Lord, Gestures of orators, 311
Cheyenne, Tribal signs for, 464
Chief, Signs for, 353, 416
Child, Signs for, 304, 356
Children, Gestures of young, 276
Chinese characters connected with signs, 356, 357
, Expedient of the, in place of signs, 306
Chinook jargon, 313
Chironomia, by Rev. Gilbert Austin, 289
Cistercian monks, Gestures of the, 288, 364
Clarke, Mr. Ben., Local source of sign language, 317
Classic pantomimes, 286
Cold, Signs for, 345, 486
Collaborators in sign language, List of, 401
Collecting signs, Suggestions for, 394
Comanche, Tribal signs for, 466
Come here, Signals for, 529, 532
Comedie Francaise, Gestures of the, 309
Comparison, Degrees of, in sign language, 363
Conjunctions in sign language, 367
Conventionality of signs, 333, 336, 340
Corbusier, Dr. William H., local source of sign language, 317
, Sign for strong, 304
Corporeal gestures generally, 270, 273
Correspondents, Foreign, on sign language, 407
Crafty, Sign for, 303
Cree, Tribal signs for, 466
Cresollius, Precedence of gestures, 282
Value of gestures, 280
Cut with an ax, Sign for, 550
Dakota calendar, 373, 377, 382, 384
, Tribal signs for, 467
Dalgarno, George, Gestures real writing, 355
, Works of, 284, 287
Danger, Signals for, 529, 532
Darwin, Charles, Analysis of emotional gestures, 270
, Gestures of Fuegans, 293
Day, Signs for, 371
Deaf and dumb, American annals of the, 293
Deaf-Mute College, National, Test of signs at the, 321
Deaf-mutes, Methodical signs of, 362
, Milan Convention on instruction of, 307
, Signs of instructed, 362, 397
, Signs of uninstructed, 277
, Sounds uttered by uninstructed, 277
Death, Signs for, 353, 420, 497
Deceit, Signs for, 303
Defiance, Signals for, 530
Denial of the existence of sign language, Mistaken, 326
Derision, Sign for, 301
Dialects, Numerous, connected with gesture language, 294, 306
Dialogues in sign language, 486
Dictionary of sign language, Extracts from, 409
Disappearing Mist, Account of, 327
Discontinuance of sign language, Circumstances connected with the,
312
Discourses in signs, 521
Discovery, Signals for, 533
Diversities in signs, Classes of, 341
Divisions of sign language, 270
Dodge, Col. Richard I., Abbreviations of signs, 339
, Identity of sign language, 316, 335
Dog, Signs for, 321, 387
Done, finished, Sign for, 513, 522, 528
Dorsey, Rev. J. Owen, Mistaken denial of signs, 326
Doubt, Sign for, 512
Drink, Sign for, 301, 344, 357
Dumas, Alexandra, Sicilian signs, 295
Dupe, Sign for, 305
Dust signals, 541
Eat, Sign for, 301, 480
Egyptian characters connected with signs, 304, 355, 357, 358, 359,
370, 379, 380
Emblems distinguished from signs, 389
Ethnologic facts connected with signs, 384
Etymology of words from gestures, 352
Evening, Signs for, 353
Evolution, distinguished from invention of sign language, 319, 388
Exchange, Signs for, 454
Facial expression generally, 270, 273
play, giving detailed information, 271
Fatigue, Sign for, 305
Fay, Prof. E.A., contributions on signs, 309, 408
Fear, Sign for, 506
Female, Signs for, 300, 357
Ferdinand, King of Naples, speech in signs, 294
Fingers, Details of position of, in sign language, 392
, Special significance in disposition of, by Italians, 285
Fire arrows, Signals by, 540
, Signs for, 344, 380
Flathead, Tribal signs for, 468
Fool, Signs for, 297, 303, 345, 505, 506
Foreign correspondents on sign language, 407
Fox, Tribal sign for, 468
Fremont, General J.C., Signs of Pai-Utes and Shoshonis, 324
Friend, friendship, Signs for, 384, 491, 527
Gallaudet, President T.H., Facial expression, 271
, President E.M., Test of Utes in signs, 321, 323
Gender in sign language, 366
Gestures as an occasional resource, 279
as survival of a sign language, 330
, blind, of the, 278
, Etymology of words from, 352
in mental disorder, 276
, Involuntary response to, 280
, fluent talkers, of, 279
Language not proportionate to development of, 293, 314
low tribes of men, of, 279
lower animals, of, 275
modern actors, used by, 308
modern orators, used by, 311
young children, of, 276
Gilbert, G.K., Pueblo etchings, 371, 372, 373
Glad, Sign for, 495
Good, Signs for, 424
Grammar, Sign language with reference to, 359
Grass, Sign for, 343
Greek vases, Figures on, explained by modern Italian gestures,
289, 290
Grow, Sign for, 343
Habitation, Signs for, 427
Haerne, Mgr. D. de, Works on sign language, 292
Hale, Horatio, Mohawk signs, 327
Halt! Signals for, 530, 535
Hand positions, Types of, 547
Hand-shaking, connected with signs, 385
Harpokrates, Erroneous character for, 304
Hear, Signs for, 376
Hento (Gray Eyes), Wyandot signs, 327
Heredity, Cases of, in speech, 276, 277
Hesitation, Signs for, 291
Hidatsa, Tribal signs for, 469
History of sign language, 285
Hoffman, Dr. W.J. Collaboration of, in sign language, 399
Holmes, W.H., Artistic aid of, 400
Home, Signs for, 483, 485
Homomorphy of signs with diverse meanings, 342
Horn sign, Italian, 298, 299
Horse, Signs for, 433
House, Signs for, 427
Humboldt, Signs of South Americans, 307
Hunger, Signs for, 304, 485
Illustration, Scheme of, in sign language, 544
Illustrations, Examples of, for collaboration on sign language, 550
Indian, generically, Signs for, 469
languages, Discussion of, 516
Indians, Condition of the, favorable to sign language, 311
, Theories respecting the signs of, 313
Innuits, Sign language of, 307
Inquiry, Signs for, 291, 297, 303, 447, 480, 486, 494
, Signals for, 531, 536
Insult, Sign of, 304
Interjectional cries, 283
Interrogation, Mark of, in sign language, 367
Invention of new signs in sign language, 387
Involuntary response to gestures, 280
Isolation, Loss of speech by, 278
Italians, Modern, Signs of, 285, 305
Jacker, Very Rev. Edward, Disuse of signs, 325
Jorio, The canon Andrea de, Works on sign language, 289
Joy, Signs for, 300
Justice, Sign for, 302
Kaiowa, Tribal signs for, 470
Keep, Rev. J. R., Syntax of Sign language, 360
Kickapoo, Tribal signs for, 470
Kill, Signs for, 377, 437
Kin ch[=e]-[)e]ss, Address of, 521
Knife, Sign for, 386
Kutine, Tribal signs for, 470
Language, Primitive, theories upon, 282
Lately, Signs for, 366
Lean Wolf's Complaint, in signs, 526
Leibnitz, Signs connected with philology, 349
syntax, 360
Leonardo da Vinci, 292
Lie, falsehood, Signs for, 345, 393, 550
Lightning, Signs for, 373
Lipan, Tribal sign for, 471
Loss of speech by isolation, 278
Love, Signs for, 345, 521
Low tribes of men, Gestures of, 279
Lower animals, Gestures of, 275
Lucian, de saltatione, 287
Man, Sign for, 416
Mandan, Tribal sign for, 471
Mano in fica, Neapolitan sign, 300
Many, Signs for, 445, 496, 524, 535
Marriage, Signs for, 290
Maya characters connected with signs, 356, 376
Medicine, Signs for, 386
Medicine-man, Signs for, 380
Mental disorder, Gestures in, 276
Methodical signs of deaf-mutes, 362
Mexican characters connected with signs, 357, 375, 377, 380, 382
Michaelius, Algonkin signs, 324
Milan convention on instruction of deafmutes, 307
Missouri River, Sign for, 477
Modern use of sign language, 293
Money, Sign for, 297
Moose, Sign for, 495
Moqui pictographs connected with signs, 371, 373
Morgan, Lewis H., Atsina signs, 312
Morse, E.S., Japanese signs, 442
Mother, Sign for, 479
Motions relative to parts of body in sign language, 393
Much, Signs for, 446
Mueller, Max, Theories relating to language, 277, 281, 283
Narratives in sign language, 500
Natci's narrative in signs, 500
National Deaf-Mute College, 321, 408
Natural pantomime, 280
signs, 307, 340
Na-wa-gi-jig's story in signs, 508
Neapolitan gestures and signs, 289, 296-305
Negation of affirmative in sign language, 391
, Signs for, 290, 299, 300, 304, 355, 440, 494
Night, Signs for, 358
Nothing, none, Signs for, 322, 355, 356, 443
Now, Signs for, 366
Occasional resource, Gestures as an, 279
Ojibwa dialogue in signs, 499
pictographs connected with signs, 371, 372, 376, 380, 381
, Tribal sign for, 472
Old man, Sign for, 338
Omaha colloquy in signs, 490
Onomatopeia, 283
Opposite, Signs for, 353
Opposition in sign language, 364
Oral language defined, 273
, primitive, 274
Orators, modern, Gestures used by, 311
Origin of sign language, 273
Osage, Tribal signs for, 472
Ouray, head chief of Utes, 315, 328
Pani, Tribal signs for, 472
Pantomime, Natural, 280
Pantomimes, Classic, 286
Partisan, Signs for, 384, 418
Patricio's narrative in signs, 505
Peace, Signals for, 530, 534, 535
, Signs for, 438
Pend d'Oreille, Tribal sign for, 473
Period, Mark of, in sign language, 368
Permanence of signs, 329
Peruvian characters connected with signs, 371
Philology, Relation of sign language to, 349
Phrases in sign language, 479
Pictographs connected with sign language, 368
Porter, Prof. Samuel, Thought without language, 277
Possession, Sign for, 484, 524
Powell, J.W., Indian orthography, 484
, Inflexions in Indian languages, 351
, Linguistic classification, 403
Prepositions in sign language, 367
Pretty, Signs for, 300
Primitive language, Theories upon, 282
oral language, 274
Prisoner, Sign for, 345
Proper names in sign language, 364, 476
Pueblo pictographs connected with signs, 373
, Tribal sign for, 473
Punctuation in sign language, 367
Quantity, Signs for, 291, 359, 445
Question, Signs for, 291, 297, 303, 447, 480, 486, 494
, Signals for, 531, 536
Quintilian, Antiquity of gesture language, 285
, Powers of gesture, 280
, Questioning by gesture, 449
, Rules for gesture, 285
Rabbit, Sign for, 321
Rabelais, Forced and mistaken signs, 338
, Head shaking, 441
, Primitive language, 282
, Sign for marriage, 290
, Signs addressed to women, 310
, Universal language, 287
Raffaelle, Attention to gestures, 292
Railroad cars, Sign for, 322
Rain myth, Signs for, 344, 357, 372
Rapport necessary in gestures, 310
Rejection, Signs for, 298, 299
Researches in sign language, how made, 395
Results sought in study of sign language, 346
Ride, Sign for, 551
Ruxton, 324
Sac, or Sanki, Tribal sign for, 473
Safety, Signals for, 536
Sahaptin, Tribal sign, for, 473
Same, similar, Sign for, 385
Sayce, Prof. A.H., Origin of language in gestures, 283, 284
Scocciare, Italian sign for, 298
Seraglio, mutes of the, Gestures of the, 307
Shawnee, Tribal sign for, 474
Sheepeater, Tribal signs for, 474
Shoshone, Tribal signs for, 474
Sibscota, Mutes of Seraglio, 307
Sicard, Abbe, Deaf mute signs, 277, 288, 362
Sicily, Gesture language in, 295
Sign language, Abstract ideas expressed in, 348
, Alaskans, of the, 513
, Antiquity of, 285
, Apache pictographs connected with, 372
, Archaeologic research connected with, 368
, Arrangement in description of signs in, 546
, Australian, 306
, Authorities in, list of, 401
, Chinese characters connected with, 356, 357
, Cistercian monks, of, 283, 364
, collaborators in, List of, 401
, comparison, Degrees of, in, 363
, Conjunctions in, 367
, Convention, not requiring, 334
, Corporeal gestures in, 270, 273
, correspondents, Foreign, on, 407
, deaf-mutes, of uninstructed, 277
, dialects, numerous, connected with, 294
, Dialogues in, 486
, Dictionary of, Extracts from, 409
, Discontinuance of, 312
, Discourses in, 521
, Egyptian characters connected with, 304, 355, 357-359, 370,
379, 380
, Emotional gestures in, 270
, Ethnologic facts connected with, 384
evolved rather than invented, 319
, Facial expression in, 270, 273
, fingers, Details of position of, in, 392, 547
, Gender in, 366
, Grammar connected with, 359
, hand positions, Types of, in, 547
, History of, 285
, illustration, Scheme of, in, 544
, Indian and deaf-mute, compared, 320
and foreign, compared, 319
Special and peculiar is the, 319
Indians, North American, Once universal among, 324-326
Conditions favorable to, 311
Innuits, of the, 307
, interrogation, Mark of, in, 367
, Invention of new signs in, 387
, Italians, modern, of, 285, 305
, languages, Indian, compared with, 351
, Maya characters connected with, 356, 376
, Mexican characters connected with, 357, 375, 377, 380, 382
, Mistaken denial of existence of, 326
, Modern use of, 293
, Modern use of, by other than North American Indians, 320
, Motions relative to parts of body in, 393, 545
, Narratives in, 500
, Negation or affirmative in, 391
, Ojibwa pictographs connected with, 371, 372, 380, 381
, Opposition in, 364
, Oral language not proportioned to development of, 293, 314
, Origin of, 273
, Origin of, from a particular tribe, 316
, Outlines of arm positions in, 545
, period, Mark of, in, 368
, Peruvian characters connected with, 371
, Phrases in, 479
, Pictographs connected with, 368
, Practical application of, 346
, preceded articulate speech, 274, 284
, Prepositions in, 367
, Prevalence of Indian system of, 323
, Proper names in, 364, 476
, Pueblo pictographs connected with, 373
, Punctuation, in, 367
, Philology, relation of, to, 349
, Researches, Mode in which made on, 395
, Resemblance to Indian languages, 351
, Results sought in the study of, 346
, Seraglio, of the mutes of the, 307
, Sicilian, 295
, Sociologic conditions connected with, 293, 304
, South American, 307
, Survival of, 306
, Syntax connected with, 359
, Tense in, 366
, Time in, 366
, Tribal signs in, 458
, writing, Origin of, connected with, 354
Signals, Apache, 534
, bodily action, Executed by, 529
, Cheyenne and Arapaho, 542
, Dust, 541
, Fire arrows used in, 540
, Foreign, 549
, Smoke, 536
when person signaling is not seen, 536
with objects in connection with personal action, 532
Signs, Abbreviation in, 338
, Arbitrary, 340
, Conventional, 333, 336, 340
deaf-mutes, of uninstructed, 277
, diversities in, Classes of, 341
, Forced, 336
, Homomorphy of, with diverse meanings, 342
, Mistaken, 336
, Natural, 307, 340
, Oral language, not proportioned to development of, 293, 314
, Permanence of, 329
, Power of, compared with speech, 347, 349
, Surviving in gesture, 330
, Symmorphs in, 343
, Synonyms in, 341
, Systematic use of, distinguished from uniformity of, 330
, Theories of Indians, respecting the, 313
Silence, Sign for, 304
Small, Sign for, 302
Smoke, Sign for, 343, 380
signals, 536
, Foreign, 539
Smyth, E. Brough, Australian, signs, 306, 408
Sociologic conditions connected with use of gestures, 293
Soldier, Signs for, 344, 449, 505
South Americans, Signs of, 307
Speak, speech, Signs for, 345, 373
Squirrel, Sign for, 321
Steamboat, Sign for, 388
Stone, Signs for, 386, 515
Stupidity, Signs for, 303
Submission, Signals for, 531
Suggestions for collecting signs, 394
Sun, Signs for, 344, 370
Sunrise, Sign for, 371
Surrender, Signals for, 531, 536
Surrounded, Signal for, 536
Suspicion, Sign for, 306
Swedenborg, Primitive language, 288
Symbols, distinguished from signs, 388
Symmorphs in signs, 343
Synonyms in signs, 341
Syntax, Sign language with reference to, 359
Talkers, fluent, Gestures of, 279
Tendoy-Huerito dialogue in signs, 486
Tennanah, Tribal sign for, 475
Tense in sign language, 336
Theft, Signs for, 292, 345
Time, in sign language, 386
, long, Sign for, 522
, Signs for, 350, 508
To-day, Signs for, 386
Trade, Signs for, 381, 450, 495
Tree, Signs for, 343, 496, 524
Tribal signs, 458
Trumbull, Dr. J. Hammond, Composition of Indian words, 351
Tso-di-a'-ko's Report, in signs, 524
Tylor, Dr. E.B., Sign language, 293, 320, 323
Uniformity of signs distinguished from their systematic use, 330
Ute, Tribal signs for, 475
Village, Signs for, 386
Vinci, Leonardo da, use of gestures, 292
Wagon, Sign for, 322
Want, Sign for, 344
Warning, Sign for, 301, 302
Washington, City of, Sign for, 470
Water, Signs for, 357, 494
White man, Signs for, 450, 469, 491, 000, 526
Whitney, Prof. W.D., Primitive speech, 283
Wichita, Tribal signs for, 476
Wilkins, Bishop, Philosophic language, 288
Williams, Mr. B.O., 326
Wiseman, Cardinal, Gesture of blind man, 278
, Italian signs, 408
Woman, Sign for, 497
Worthlessness, Sign for, 301
Writing, origin of, Gestures connected with the, 354
Wyandot, Tribal sign for, 476