366 SIGN LANGUAGE AMONG NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
generally forgotten, it has been considered as a metaphorical compli- 
ment. Itis also said that Governor Fletcher was not named by the 
Troquois “ Cajenquiragoe,” “the great swift arrow,” because of his speedy 
arrival at a critical time, but because they had somehow been informed 
of the etymology of his name—“‘arrow maker” (Fr. fléchier). 
GENDER. 
This is sometimes expressed by different signs to distinguish the sex of 
animals, when the difference in appearance allows of such varied portrait- 
ure. Au example is in the signs for the male and female buffalo, given by 
the Prince of Wied. The former is, “Place the tightly closed hands on 
both sides of the head, with the fingers forward ;” the latter is, “‘Curvethe 
two forefingers, place them on the sides of the head and move them several 
times.” Theshort stubby horns of the bull appear +o be indicated, and 
the cow’s ears are seen moving, not being covered by the bull’s shock 
mane. ‘Tribes in which the hair of the women is differently arranged 
from that of men often denote their females by corresponding gesture. 
In many cases the sex of animals is indicated by the addition of a generic 
sign for male or female. 
TENSE. 
While it has been mentioned that there is no inflection of signs to ex- 
press tense, yet the conception of present, past, and future is gestured 
without difficulty. A common mode of indicating the present time is 
by the use of signs for to-day, one of which is, “‘(1) both hands extended, 
palms outward; (2) swept slowly forward and to each side, to convey 
the idea of openness.” (Cheyenne II.) This may combine the idea of 
now with openness, the first part of it resembling the general deaf-mute 
sign for here or now. 
Two signs nearly related together are also reported as expressing the 
meaning now, at once, viz.: “ Forefinger of the right hand extended, up- 
right, &e. (J), is carried upward in front of the right side of the body 
and above the head so that the extended finger points toward the center 
of the heavens, and then carried downward in front of the right breast, 
forefinger still pointing upright.” (Dakota I.) ‘‘Place the extended 
index, pointing upward, palm to the left, as high as and before the top 
of the head; push the hand up and down aslight distance several times, 
the eyes being directed upward at the time.” (Hidatsa 1; Kaiowa I; 
Arikara 1; Comanche IIL; Apache Il; Wichita II.) 
Time past is not only expressed, but some tribes give a distinct modi- 
fication to show a short or long time past. The following are examples: 
Lately, recently—Hold the left hand at arm’s length, closed, with fore- 
finger only extended and pointing in the direction of the place where 
the event occurred; then hold the right hand against theright shoulder, 
closed, but with index extended and pointing in the direction of the left. 
The hands may be exchanged, the right extended and the left retained, 
