26 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF INDIAN LANGUAGES. 
The method of using the fingers and toes in counting should be care- 
fully studied and minutely explained; also the method of indicating num- 
bers to others in like manner. The most common method for counting in 
“this manner is to turn down the little finger of the left hand for one, the 
next finger in order for two, the next finger for three, the next for four, and 
the thumb for five; then the thumb of the right hand for six, &e., until the 
little finger of the right hand is turned down for ten. This may be varied 
by turning down the little finger of the right hand for six and the thumb of 
the right hand for ten. 
In indicating numbers to others by the use of the fingers the little 
finger of the left hand may be extended and the other fingers turned down 
for one; the other numbers will be expressed by extending the fingers in 
the same order in which they were turned down for counting. In counting 
by tens, the Indian may close the fingers of both hands to indicate each 
ten, or he may extend the fingers of each hand, holding them with the palms 
turned toward the person spoken to. 
In counting, some Indians resort to the fingers only, others to the 
fingers and toes. The first may result in a decimal system; the second in a 
vigesimal. All the facts relating to counting should be discovered and 
recorded it 
§ 9—_MEASURES. 
It is very desirable to discover primitive methods of measuring—that 
is, the methods used prior to the advent of the white man. Sometimes a 
finger’s length is used. In this case describe which finger is used, and how 
the measure is applied. 
A frequent method for measurement of lengths is from the extremity 
of the long finger to the first wrinkle of the wrist, 7. e., a hand. Another 
hand unit has been discovered. Having the fingers and thumb extended, 
the beginning is at the extremity of the thumb, and the string is passed 
along its outer margin to the first wrinkle of the wrist, then crossing the 
wrist along this wrinkle to the outer margin of the palm of the hand, along 
this margin to the extremity of the little finger and along the tips of the 
fingers to the extremity of the first finger, then along the outer margin of 
the first finger and inner margin of the thumb to the point of beginning; 
