CXVIII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OP ETHNOLOGY 



language itself, and tlic reality of the regions becomes sacred, 

 as language is held to be sacred. The theory of the regions 

 is not only woven into their speech and into their institutions, 

 but it becomes one of the principal elements of picture \vritiug 

 and is represented by some form of the cross signifying the 

 east, west, north, and south, to wliich are attached some other 

 devices for representing the zenith, nadir, and center. Thus 

 the swastika is found as a symbol among many savage tribes, 

 and it seems to be universal among barbaric tribes. 



These world symbols often govern methods of architecture. 

 The theory of worlds is of vast extent and of profound influ- 

 ence. It is found to pervade tribal society not only in America, 

 but elsewhere throughout the world. I am tempted in this 

 place to go to the Orient for an example to show how laws and 

 the maxims of laws are formulated in savage and barbaric 

 society, but I must premise the statement by explaining one 

 other method of formulating laws. The particulars of law are 

 often represented by numbers — one number for each finger of 

 the hand ; and the reciprocal rights and duties by the five num- 

 bers represented by the five fingers of the other hand. Thus 

 by pointing in the direction of one region with the proper finger 

 of the right or left hand any particular law or maxim can be 

 expressed in gesture speech. 



I quote from the Sigalowada Sutta, a table of aphorisms 

 published by Rhys-Davids in his book on Buddhism, which 

 might be duplicated as a method of schematization in many of 

 the tribes of North America. The scheme in which the apho- 

 risms are arranged is by regions. It has the same design as a 

 scheme that the swastika has as a jjicture writing, and both are 

 as natural to the human race as the recognition of the cardinal 

 points. The regimentation in kinshi}) society is taken liy anal- 

 ogy from the I'ecognized relationship of consanguinity and 

 affinity for schematic and mnemonic purposes. The following 

 schemes prevail among savage and barbaric people for a great 

 variety of purposes: Schemes of four, five, six, or seven are 

 derived from the regions, schemes of five are fixed and perpet- 

 uated by the number of fingers on the hand, schemes of ten 

 are derived from the mimber of fingers on both hands, and 



