MNEMONIC. 



This has been the most apparent, and probably the most ancient, pur- 

 pose for which pictographs have been made. It commenced by the use 

 of material objects which afterwards were reproduced graphically in 

 paintings, etchings, and carvings. 



In the present paper many examples appear of objects known to have 

 been so used, the graphic representations of which, made with the same 

 purpose, are explained by knowledge of the fact. Other instances are 

 mentioned as counected with the evolution of pictographs, and possibly 

 to interpret some of the latter which are not yet understood. 



The qnipu of the Peruvians is one of the most instructive devices for 

 the general aid of memory, and as applicable to a variety of subjects, 

 also having value for comparison with and reference to all other objects 

 of this character. A good account of the qnipu, quoted from Travels 

 in Peru, during the years 1838-1842, * * by Dr. J. J. von Tschudi 

 [Wiley and Putnam's Library, Vols. XOIII-XCIV], New York, 1847, 

 Pt. II, pp. 344, 345, is as follows : 



THE QUIPU OF THE PERUVIANS. 



The ancient Peruvians had no manuscript characters for single sounds ; but they 

 had a method by which they composed words and incorporated ideas. This method 

 consisted in the dexterous intertwining of knots on strings, so as to render them aux- 

 iliaries to the memory. The instrument consisting of these strings and knots was 

 called the Quipi*. It was composed of one thick head or top string, to which, at cer- 

 tain distances, thiuuer ones were fastened. The top string was much thicker than 

 these pendent strings, and consisted of two doubly twisted threads, over which two 

 single threads were wound. The branches, if I may apply the term to these pendent 

 strings, were fastened to the top ones by a single loop ; the knots were made in the 

 pendent strings, and were either single or manifold. The length of the strings used 

 in making the quipu were various. The transverse or top string often measures 

 several yards, and sometimes only a foot long; the branches are seldom more than 

 two feet long, and iu general they are much shorter. 



The strings were often of different colors; each having its own particular significa- 

 tion. The color for soldiers was red; for gold, yellow; for silver, white; for corn, 

 green, &c. This writing by knots was especially employed for numerical and statisti- 

 cal tables; each single knot representing ten ; each double knot stood for one hundred; 

 each triple kuot for one thousand, &c. ; two single knots standing together made 

 twenty; and two double knots, two hundred. 



This method of calculation is still practiced by the shepherds of the Puna. They 

 explained it to me, and I could, with very little trouble, construe their quipus. On 

 the first branch or string they usually place the numbers of the bulls* on the second, 



Tit 



