254 



Deaf-mute natural sif/n. — Rain indicated by a repeated downward 

 motion of the extended lingers. Wind, by a sidewise sweeping motion 

 of the hands and blowing through the lii)S. [Ballard.) 



Strong;, Strensth. 



The hands are clinched ; the left forearm is held almost perpendicularly 

 near the breast, so that the fist is nearly opposite to the throat ; the 

 right arm is then carried up between the left and the breast, and con- 

 tinued on over the left fist to the outside of the latter ; the right arm is 

 then brought down so as to have the same direction with the other, and 

 the fists rest opposite to each other in a line from the breast. This 

 motion resembles the act of wringing a thick towel. If he would say 

 " 1 am strong," he strikes himself upou the breast two or three times 

 with his fist previously to the motion above described. If he would 

 say "you are strong," he previously points to you, etc. {Lotuj.) 



Deaf-mute natural sitiii. — Imitate the action of a person exerting mus- 

 cular force. (Ballard.) 



Api)lied to man or animal. 



Both arms raised on their respective sides to level with the shoulders, 

 back of hands upward, fists (A.) are quickly thrown downward to the 

 level of the stomacli on their respective sides, and brought to a sudden 

 stop with a rebounding motion. The muscle of the arms, chest, and 

 back are all brought iuto action in making this sign. {Dalota 1.) " Ex. 

 hibitiug muscular power." 



As a cord, rope, etc. 



With both hands in front of the breast, fists (B), hands separated a 

 few inches, make movements as though pulling on a cord or rope that 

 would not yield. In addition to the muscles of the arms, etc., those of 

 the face are brought more into action than in the above sign. {Dakota 

 I.) " Cannot break it. It is strong." 



8Hb»ii!<i<>>Boii, 



■\Yith Itotli hands in front of face, open ( W, palms oblique, downward, 

 with the little-finger edge of the hands lowest), the fingers close to 

 and pointing together, the head is slightly inclined forward and eyes 

 cast down, hands are moved obliquely iuwai'd and downward till they 

 come close to or reach the breast. Generally repeated two or three times 

 (Cheyenne II.) 



The right hand, with fingers extended (S), is carried to the right and 

 to the left in front of the body and back to in front of the right shoulder, 

 where all the lingers are closed excepting the index, which iioints up- 

 right, back of hand outward, and then the lumd is thrown slowly for- 

 ward in front of the body so that it is horizontal, back downward, index- 



