332 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
ing, Fig. 439, from Naumoff, an Alaskan, in San Francisco in 1882; also 
the interpretation. 
The drawing was in imitation of similar ones made by the natives to 
inform their visitors or friends of their departure for a purpose desig- 
nated. They are depicted upon strips of wood, which are placed in 
conspicuous places near the doors of the habitations. 
KK KORS 7 ee 
a b 
Fic. 439.—Alaskan notice of hunt. 
The following is the explanation of the characters: a, the speaker, 
with the right hand indicating himself and with the left pointing in the 
direction to be taken; b, holding a boat-paddle, going by boat; c, the 
right hand to the side of the head, to denote sleep, and the left elevated 
with one finger erect to signify one night; d, a circle with two marks in 
the middle, signifying an island with huts upon it; e, same as a; f, a 
circle to denote another island; g, same as ¢c, with an additional finger 
elevated, signifying two nights; h, the speaker, with his harpoon, mak- 
ing the sign of a sea-lion with the left hand. The flat hand is held 
edgewise with the thumb elevated, then pushed outward from the body 
ina slightly downward curve. At iis represented a sea-lion; j, shooting 
with bow and arrow; k, the boat with two persons in it, the paddles 
projecting downward; /, the winter or permanent habitation of the 
speaker. 
The following, Fig. 440, is of a similar nature to the preceding, and 
was obtained under similar circumstances. 
Fia. 440.— Alaskan notice of departure. 
The explanation of the above characters is as follows: 
The letters a, ¢, e, g, represent the person spoken to. 
b. Indicates the speaker with his right hand to the side or breast, in- 
dicating self, the left hand pointing in the direction in which he is going. 
d. Both hands elevated, with fingers and thumbs signifies many, ac- 
cording to the informant. When the hands are thus held up, in sign- 
language, it signifies ten, but when they are brought toward and back- 
ward from one another, many. 
Jf. The right hand is placed to the head to denote sleep—many sleeps, 
or, in other words, many nights and days; the left hand points down- 
ward, at that place. 
h. Theright hand is directed toward the starting point, while the left 
is brought upward toward the head—to go home, or whence he came. 
The drawing presented in Fig. 441 was made by a native Alaskan, 
and represents information to the effect that the artist contemplates 
