26 



Hands witli fingers extended, bninglit together in front of the body, 

 pahnar suifaee.s of little lingers joined, and hands sloping obliquely up- 

 ward with backs looking towards the sides, extended lingers pointing to 

 the front, &c. ; /. e., hands held in imitation of a straight scoop, then 

 without separating the hands carry tliein forward and downward with 

 a quick upsetting motion. (Dakota I.) " iScooping up and throwing 

 away ashes." 



Asleep or sleeping'. 



Place the hands open o^'er the face, close the eyes and gently press 

 them down, at same time gently incline the head and body to the right, 

 until attaining an angle of about 45°, or lower, remain in that position 

 a few moments. (Ojibica IV.) 



Ass. See ^liile. 



Assent. See Yes. 



Astonisliiiieiit. See Surprise. 



Attention. 



Hold the riglit hand flat and extended, palm down, at arm's leiigtii 

 and directed toward the person addressed, shaking it from side to side 

 several times. [Ab.saroha I; Shoshoni and Banal; I.) 



To attract a person's attention previous to commencing conversation 



The right hand (T) carried directly out in front of the body, with arm 

 fully extended and there moved sidewise with rapid motions. [Dakota I.) 



Aurora borealls. 



First make the sign for the ITIoon in Iront of the body, at the level 

 of the breast, and then on both sides of it at the same time make ivith 

 both hands the sign for tire. 



This recpiires explanation. The Sioux believe the northern lights to 

 be the reflection of a tire built on either side of the moon to warm it. 

 (Dakota I.) 



Autumn. 



With the thumb and forefinger of right hand describe a crescent (other 

 fingers closed), back of closed fingers outward, luxnd carried iu this posi- 

 tion from above and to the left of the head iu front of body toward the 

 right and downward moderately rapid with a curved and small up and 

 down waving motion made by turning the forearm and hand in imita- 

 tion of a leaf carried from the tree by a slight breeze. ( Dakota I.) "The 

 falling of the leaves." 



