352 Observations on the Language of Signs. . 
the other, so as to rub against its palm. then up on the 
other side of it. The left hand here represents the low 
door of the skin lodge, and the right the man stooping cen 
to pass in.” 
This sign, though peculiar, is natural as reapettat the 
mode of living of the Indians, but is not universally appli- — 
cable. It corresponds with the sign for the preposition 
under. 
The sign for an object discovered, as distinguished from 
the simple act of seeing, is made by the aborigines with 
much nicety and precision, and may with propriety, be 
adopted in a universal language. 
Seeing.—The fore finger in the attitude of pointing is 
passed from the eye towards the real or imaginary object.” 
Seen or discovered.—The sign of a man or other animal 
is made, after which, the finger is pointed towards and ap- - 
proached to your own eye; itis the preceding sign re- 
versed.” 
The Indian sign for a man, is a finger held vertically, 
which differs frem the deaf and dumb sign. Their sign 
for a bison, is the same as the deaf and dymb Sign for a 
cow, Viz. 
“ The two fore fingers are placed near the ears, Spies 
ting so as to represent the horns of the animal.” 
Now when a party of Indians, are out on a hunting, or 
warlike expedition, they may discover a man, the scout of a 
hostile party, or an herd of buffaloes. The sign for discov- 
ery in such a case will be different from that of the simple 
act of seeing. 
In general we cast our eyes upon an object with indiffer- 
ence, and in seeing, simply distinguish a man from an 
animal, a tree from a shrub, a house from a barn ; or we 
determine the relative shape, size, or distance of an ob- 
ject. This is done by the coup d’eil, and therefore the act 
of seeing, in the universal language of signs, is to direct the 
finger from the eyes to the object. 
But when we discover an object, we look and look again, 
and then in the true natural language of signs it comes to 
our eyes, as the Indians have correctly represented it, be- 
cause we have repeatedly directed theseyes to the spot 
where the discovery is made, and not seeing it the first, 
second, or third time, the object clearly comes to our eyes, 
