ON THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS AMONG 



Signs made use of by the Indian Nations to the West of the Mis- 

 sissippi, refered to in the foregoing letter. 



White, with the under side of the fingers of the right hand, 

 rub gently upon that part of the left hand which corresponds 

 with the knitting of the bones of the fore-finger and thumb. 



Egg. The right hand held up with the fingers and thumb 

 extended and approaching each other as if holding an Egg 

 within. 



Stone. The right hand shut give several small blows on the 

 left. 



The same or similar to ivhat went before, Place the two fore- 

 fingers parallel to each other and push them forward a little. 



Water. The hand formed into a bowl and brought up to the 

 mouth passing a little upwards without touching the mouth. 



Rain. Begin with the sign of water, then raise the hands even 

 with the forehead, extending the fingers outwards and give 

 a shaking motion as if to represent the dripping of water. 



Snow. Begin with the sign of rain, then the sign of air or 

 cold and conclude with the sign of white. 



Ice. Begin with the sign of water then of cold, then the earth 

 and lastly a stone with the sign of sameness or similarity. 



Hail. Begin with the sign of water, then the sign of cold, 

 next the sign of a stone, then the same, then the sign of 

 white and lastly conclude with the sign of an Egg ; all 

 which combined gives the idea of hail. 



Frost. Begin with the sign of water, then the sign of night 

 or darkness, then the sign of cold, then the sign of white, 

 and lastly the earth. 



Cloud. Begin with the sign of water, then raise the two hands 

 as high as the forehead and placing them with an inclination 

 of 15° let them gently cross one another. 



Fire. The two hands brought near the breast touching or ap- 

 proaching each other and half shut, then moved outwards 

 moderately quick, the fingers being extended and the hands 

 a little separated at the same time, as if to imitate the appear- 

 ance of name. 



Bring, fetch or give me. The hand half shut with the thumbs 



