I08 MENTAL EVOLUTION IN MAN. 



Tylor observes : — " As a means of communication, there is 

 no doubt that the Indian pantomime is not merely capable of 

 expressing a few simple and ordinary notions, but that to the 

 uncultured savage, with his few and material ideas, it is a very 

 fair substitute for his scanty vocabulary." * And Colonel 

 •Mallery, in the admirable treatise already referred to, shows in 

 detail to what a surprising extent this " Indian pantomime" is 

 thus available as a substitute for speech. The following may be 

 selected from among the numerous dialogues and discourses 

 which he gives, and which all present the same general 

 character. It is communicated by Mr. Ivan Pehofif, who took 

 notes of the conversation at the time. The two conversers 

 were Indians of different tribes. 



"(i) Kefiaitze. — Left hand raised to height of eye, palm 

 outward, moved several times from right to left rapidly ; 

 fingers extended and closed ; pointing to strangers with left 

 hand. Right hand describes a curve from north to east. — 

 ' Which of the north-eastern tribes is yours ? ' 



"(2) Tcnnajial. — Right hand, hollowed, lifted to mouth, 

 then extended and describing waving line gradually descend- 

 ing from right to left. Left hand describing mountainous 

 outline, apparently one peak rising above the other. Said by 

 Chalidoolts to mean, ' Tenan-tnu-kohtana, Mountain-river- 

 men.' 



" (3) K. — Left hand raised to height of eye, palm outward, 

 moved from right to left, fingers extended. Left index 

 describes curve from cast to west. Outline of mountain and 

 river as in preceding sign. — 'How many days from Mountain- 

 river ? * 



" (4) T. — Right hand raised towards index, and thumb 

 forming first crescent and then ring. This repeated three 

 times. — ' Moon, new and full three times.' 



"(5) Right hand raised, palm to front, index raised and 

 lowered at regular intervals — 'Walked.' Both hands imitating 

 paddling of canoe, alternately right and left. — ' Travelled three 

 months on foot and by canoe.' 



* Loc. cit. , p. 39. 



