62 COMPOUND SIGNS 



2. Several parts or specific marks. " Hail " is shown by the sign for 

 " white," then its falling rapidly from above and striking head, arms, &c, 

 or by signs for " rain " and " hard." 



3. Origin or source, and use of the object (for the object itself, by 

 metonymy). A pen would once have been understood by the sign for 

 " goose," before mentioned, followed by the action of writing. 



4. Effects for causes (also by metonymy). For " wind" blow with the 

 month and make with the hands the motion of the wind in a determined 

 direction. 



5. Form and use. 



The family of signs composing this category is very numerous. The 

 form is generally traced with the forefinger of the right hand in space, or 

 by the deaf-mutes sometimes upon a surface represented by the left hand 

 open ; but the latter device, i. e., of using the left hand as a supposed draft- 

 ing surface, has not been reported of the Indians. The use, or employment, 

 is expressed by the position of the hands or arms, or by a pantomimic 

 movement of the whole body. A good example is "hospital," composed of 

 "house," "sick," and "many." 



6. Outline of the object and the place where it is found. Example : The 

 horns drawn from the head in one of the signs given above for " deer." 

 (Titchkemdtski.) 



7. Shape, and one or more specific marks. Other signs given for "deer" 

 may be instanced. 



8. Way of using and specific marks of the object. " Chalk " would be 

 distinguished from "pen," before given, by the sign of " white," followed 

 by the action of writing. 



9. Shape, mode of using, and specific marks. "Paper" would be 

 shown by tracing its length and breadth, if necessary by the motion of 

 folding, succeeded by that of writing, and, to make it still more distinct, 

 by "white." 



10. End for which an object is used, or its make, and the place where it is 

 found. Example : "Sword," by drawing from a supposed sheath and strik- 

 ing; and "milk," by signs for "white," "milking," and "drinking." 



11. Place and specific mark. The deaf-mute shows "spider" by opening 



