356 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



is in the Semitic manner, from right to left. This kappa shows 

 how the k form was derived from the Egyptian Hieratic (fig. 2) 

 through the Hebrew kaph. 



Egyptian words showing the connection between " hand " and 

 " cup " (or bowl) are leaf, "the hollow of the hand ;" kef a, " a fist ;" 

 kep, "the fist;" kep, to " seize, catch ;" khep, " one hand ;" kabti, 

 "two hands;" kab, "libation, liquid;" kaf, "to seize; to claw 

 with the hand." If we now compare Polynesian, we shall find 

 the word " cup," and " hand," in its primitive shape and sound. 

 In New Zealand Maori, kapu* means " the hollow of the hand," 

 "curly," " to close the hand," " to drink out of the hollow of 

 the hand;" kapukapu, "to curl," as a wave; kapunga, "the 

 palm of the hand;" kapuranga, "a handful;" kapo "to snatch 

 at," "to catch." This "hollow of the hand " is the primitive 

 " cup," the first bowl from which our early ancestors drank. 

 When the Maori chief was tapu, so that no vessel might touch his 

 lips, he held the hollow of his hand, turned upwards, beneath his 

 lip, and the slave poured the liquid into his master's mouth. 

 So the Brahmin hi India receives his drink, lest the brass lotah 

 should touch his mouth and then be polluted by even the 

 shadow of another. 



It will, of course, be objected that, according to the " cut 

 and dried" rule, no one should be allowed to compare a 

 Maori word with an Egyptian or Hebrew one : but there are 

 some words which I believe to be " world-words," and which 

 were of either very wide adoption or else the root-formation 

 of ancient languages is as yet totally misunderstood. " Cup" is 

 one of these, (including the idea of " hand," and "concave,") 

 and with change of the p, through ph, into/and v, seems almost 

 universal. The Greek kweXW, "a cup;" kvwi], "a cavity," 

 "cavern;" KvpfiuXova, "a cymbal" (from its hollow shape; <;/'. 

 Sanscrit, khumba) ; the Latin cupa, " a tub ;" cavea, " a cavity," 

 "a coop;' - caverna, "a cavern;" "to make hollow;" Irish 

 capan, cupa, copan, copa, all = cup. Scottish cuppel, " a small 

 tub;" Lithuanian kupka, "cup;" Breton hop, Polish kubek, 

 ancient Slav koupa, Servian kupa; all mean "cup." Scandi- 

 navian kupa, " a round vase ;" Danish kop, Swedish kopp, French 

 coupe, Spanish kopa, Italian coppa, Icelandic koppr = cup. 

 Icelandic koppr also means "the eye-socket;" spe-koppan, "a 

 dimple in the cheek," kupa, " a bowl," haus-kupa, " the skull," 

 kupadr, " bowl-shaped ;" Russian kopani, "a cistern;" kubu, " an 

 alembic," kopati, "to hollow out ground, to form a trench;" 

 Sanscrit kambi, " a ladle or spoon ;" kambu, " a shell ;" kumbhika, 

 " a small pot or pitcher ; kupa, " a well, cave, hollow ;" kupi, " a 

 bottle," " the navel ;" kumbhi, " a pot, or jar." Assyrian kabutu, 



* The short a of Uapu is better represented in English letters by kup-poo 

 than by kdh-poo. 



