145 



and thumb closed ; place the ri};ht-hand fingers astride of the forefinger 

 of the left, and both hands jerked together, up and down, to represent 

 the motion of a horse. [Dakota III.) 



The two hands being clinched and near together, palms downward, 

 thumbs against the forefingers, throw them, each alternately, forward 

 and backward about a foot, through an ellipsis two or three times, from 

 about six inches in front of the chest, to imitate the galloping of a horse, 

 or the hands may be held forward and not moved. {Dakota lY.) 



Place the extended and separated index and second fingers of the 

 right hand astraddle of the extended forefinger of the left. {Dakota VI, 

 VII; Hidatsal; Arikara I.) 



The left hand is placed before the chest, back upward, in the position 

 of an index-hand pointing forward; then the first and second fingers 

 of the right hand (only) being extended, separated, and pointing down- 

 ward, are set one on each side of the left forefinger, the inter-digital 

 space resting on the forefinger. The palm faces downward and back- 

 ward. This represents a rider astride of a horse, {^^an(lan and Hidatm I.) 



Close hands, except forefingers, which are curved downward; move 

 them forward in rotation, imitating the fore feet of the horse, and make 

 puffing sound of " Uh, uh!" {Omaha I.) "This sign represents the 

 horse racing off to a safe distance, then puffs as he tosses his head." 



The arm is flexed and with the hand extended is brought on a level 

 with the mouth. The hand then assumes the position (W 1), modified 

 by being held edges up and down, palm toward the chest, instead of 

 flat. The arm and hand being held thus about the usual height of a 

 horse are made to pass in an undulating manner across the face or body 

 about one foot distant from contact. The latter movements are to re- 

 semble the animal's gait. {Oto I.) " Height of animal and movement 

 of same." 



The index and second fingers of the right hand are placed astraddle 

 the extended forefinger of the left. ( Wyandot I.) 



Hold the right hand flat, extended, with fingers joined, lay the thumb 

 inward against the palm, then pass the hand at arm's length before the 

 face from left to right. {Kaiowa I ; Comanche III ; Apache II ; Wichita II.) 



Another : Place the extended and separated index and second fingers 

 astraddle the extended and horizontal forefinger of the left hand. {Kai- 

 oica I ; Comanche III ; Apache H ; Wichita II.) " This sign is only used 

 communicating with uninstructed white men, or with other Indians when 

 whose sign for Horse is specifically distinct." 

 19 



