83 



Make the sign for iVi^ht, followed by that for Before, in time. 



{Kainwa I; Comanche III; Apache II; Wichita II.) 



Dead, death. 



Tiirow the forefinger from the perpendicular into a horizontal position 

 towards the earth, with the back downward. {Long.) 



Hold the left hand flat over the face, back outward, and pass with the 

 similarly held right hand below the former, gently striking or touch- 

 ing it. (Wicd.) The sign given (O^o and i)/(',v.vof(>t I) has no similarity 

 in execution or conception with Wied^s. {Boteler.) This sign may con- 

 vey the idea of "under" or "burial," quite difierently executed irom 

 most others reported. Dr. .l/cC/fesHe;/ conjectures this sign to be that of 

 wonder or surprise at hearing of a death, but not a distinct sign for the 

 latter. 



The finger of the right hand jtassed to the left hand and then cast 

 down. (Mac<jon'an.) 



I'lace the palm of tlie hand at a short distance from the side of the 

 head, then withdraw it gently in an oblique downward direction and 

 incline the head and upi)er part of the body in the same direction. 

 (Ojihwa II.) This authority notes that there is an ai)parent connection 

 between this conception and execution and the etymology of the corre- 

 sponding terms in Ojibwa: " he dies," is nibo; " he sleeps," is niba. The 

 common idea expressed by the gesture is a sinking to rest. The origi 

 nal significance of the i-oot /u'6 seems to be. "leaning;" aniheia, "it is 

 leaning; ffvi/fte^vce/u', " he inclines the head sideward." The word «("&« 

 or nihe (only in comi)ounds) conveys the idea of " night," perhaps as the 

 falling over, the going to rest, or the death, of the day. The term for 

 " leaf" (of a tree or plant), which is anihinh, may s|)ring from the same 

 root, leaves being the leaning or downhanging parts of the i>lant. With 

 this may be compared theC'hahta term for "leaves," literally translated 

 " tree hair." 



Hold both hands open, with palms over ears, extend fingers back on 

 brain, close eyes, and incliiie body a little forward and to right or left 

 very low, and remain motionless a short time, ])ronouncing the word 

 Re-nec-boo slowly. {Ojihira IV.) 



Left hand flattened and held back upward, thumb inward in front of 

 and a few inches from the breast. Kight hand slightly clasped, fore- 

 finger more extended than the others, and passed suddenly under tlie 

 left hand, the latter being at the same time gently moved towards thD 

 breast. {Cheyenne I.) " Gone under." 



The left hand is held slightly ar<'hed, palm down, nearly at arm's 

 length before the breast; the right extended. Hat, palm down, and 



