297 



At*^ina, I^ower iiro% Ventre. 



Both bauds closed, the tips of the Augers pointiug toward the wrist 

 and resting upon the base of the joint, the thumbs lying u])ou and 

 extending over the middle joint of the forefingers ; hold the left before 

 the chest, pointiug forward, palm up, placing the right, with palm down, 

 just back of the left, and uiovc as if picking small objects froui the 

 left with the tip of the right thumb. {Ahmroka I ; Shoshoni and Banalc 

 I.) " Ooru-shellers." 



Bring the extended and separated lingers and thumb loosely to a point, 

 flexed at the metacarpal joints ; point them toward the left clavicle, and 

 imitate a dotting motion as if tattooing the skin. {Kaioum. I ; Comanche 

 III; Apachell; Wichita II.) "They used to tattoo themselves, and 

 live iu the country soutli of the Dakotas." 



Baiiak. 



Make a whistliug sound " phew" (beginning at a high note and ending 

 about an octave lower) ; then draw the extended index across the throat 

 from the left to the right and out to nearly at arm's length. They nsed 

 to cut the throats of their prisoners. {Pai-Utel.) 



Major Haworth states that the Banaks make the following sign for 

 themselves : Brush the flat right hand backward over the forehead as 

 if forcing back the hair. This represents the manner of wearing the 

 tuft of hair backward from the forehead. According to this informant, 

 the Shoshoui use the same sign for Banak as for themselves — Snake. 



BlackTeet. (This title is understood to refer to the Algonkin Black- 

 feet, properly called Sat!<>ika.) 



The finger and thumb encircle the ankle. (Long.) 



Pass the right hand, bent spoon-fashiou, from the heel to the little toe 

 of the right foot. {Burton.) 



The palmar surfaces of the extended fore and second fingers of the 

 right hand ^others closed) are rubbed along the leg just above the ankle. 

 This would not seem to be clear, but these Indians do not make any 

 .sign indicating Mack in connection with the above. The sign does not, 

 however, interfere with any other sign as made by the Sioux. [Dakota 

 I.) "Blackfeet." 



Touch the right foot with the right hand. (Kutine I.) 



Close the right hand, thumb resting over the second joint of the fore- 

 finger, palm toward the face, and rotate over the cheek, though an inch 

 or two from it. (Shoahoni and Banak I.) " From manner of painting 

 the cheeks." 

 38 



