161 



The left arm is seiiii-exteiuled, aud tbe left band, in position (X 1), 

 inoditied by l)t-in<; edgewise np and down. The right arm is then brought 

 before the body, and the hand, in position (X), horizontal, is nnide to 

 exert a carving motion at the knuckle or metacarpophalangeal joints of 

 the left hand, which is concluded by a scooping or carving movement. 

 {Ofo and ^fiss(>^l^•i I.) " That by whicth we open joints and cut or carve." 



Deaf-mute ttiitural sUjns. — Imitate the act of whittling with one fore- 

 finger upon tiie other. {Ballard.) 



Pass one forefinger over the other several times. (Hasenslah.) 



■ Skinniiiii with a. 



The hands are placed as in the sign for Knife, then the right hand 

 is held a little obliquely, /. c, with forearm semi-pronated, and drawn, 

 but never pushed, across the left palm repeatedly, advancing a little 

 •toward the flnger-ends with each strepe. {i]rai>daii and Hidatsa I.) 



Hold the left closed hand, palm down, a short distance before the 

 body, and make repeated cuts in front of the knuckles with the flattened 

 right hand. {I'ai-Ute I.) " Represents holding a Hap of skin and sei)a- 

 rating it from the body." 



To kill with a. 



Clinch the right hand and strike forcibly toward the ground before 

 the breast from the height of the face. {Uie\.) " A))pears to have 

 originated when flint knives were still used." 



Kiion. (Comp;neC><oo<l ; Indecixiioii ; lln<lei*!>>tniid ami I efs.) 



The forefinger of the right hand held up nearly opposite to the 

 nose, and brought with a half turn to the right and carried a little out- 

 ward. Place any of the articles [.s(c] befoi-e this sign, which will then 

 signify, I know, you know, he knows. P>oth hands being made use of 

 in the manner describe<l imjilies to know much. {Dunbar.) 



Spread the thumb and index-finger of the right hand, sweep toward 

 the breast, moving them forward and outward, so that the palm turns 

 up. ( Wied.) The right arm is flexed and raised ; the hand is then 

 brought before the forehead between the eyes as in position (1 1, 

 modified by being ])alm outward and tbe index more opened); the 

 hand and forearm then describe a quadrant forward and downward. 

 There is no conceivable similarity between this sign and Wied\s as 

 executed and it is probable that tbe conceptions are likewise of differ- 

 ent source or association. This same sign is used for Knowledge in an 

 abstract sense. (Boteler.) "To have in mind or utter from the 

 mind." 

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