Observations on the Language of Signs. 353 
and hence the distinction between sight and discovery is 
founded in the universality of sign language. For instance, 
—suppose a mineral is presented to this society and laid 
upon the table. [ cast my eyes upon it, and simply see it, 
without marking its distinguishing characteristics. I look 
at it again and observe itis an earthy mineral. It is brought 
nearer, and I see it is limestone, and upon taking it up to 
see more particularly, I find it to be granular limestone, or 
white marble of the primitive kind, and I soon become 
convinced that I have correctly determined its geological 
character by turning it over, when I discover in its fracture 
a small nodule of quartz, and a fine chrystal of tremolite. 
Thus the discovery is brought to light, and is directed to 
my external vision, and is thence conveyed to the intel- 
lectual sight where it is retained after the object is re- 
moved. | : 6 
Again, when the Indians are in search of game, as be- 
fore observed, it is easy to imagine how, in the discovery 
of an herd of deer, or bisons, or a war party of an enemy, 
the objects come to the visual organ, and hence arises the 
proper characteristic sign, which is natural and universal. 
In these instances the sight is constantly in operation, and 
yet hours and days may pass without seeing any thing in- 
teresting to them, but suddenly a discovery is made of game 
or of an enemy from behind a hill, a tree, or out of a ra- 
vine, whither the eyes had before been frequently directed. 
Thus, too, we see the object strikes the eye, and as it 
were emerges from obscurity, and gives the true and char- 
acteristic distinction in the language of signs between see- 
mg and discovering. rs 
To see, is a radical word in sign language ; from which 
may be derived the words to look, to gaze, to behold, as 
well as to discover. These are all sensible actions of the 
visual organs, or in the language of Sicard, * operations of 
the organic eye ;’’* and he defines them thus. 
To see is a simple sensible action, to see, 
Tolookisadouble  —_—s do. to see, see, 
To gazeisatriple do. to see, see see, 
To behold is a quadruple do. to see, see, see, see, 
To discover isa quintuple do. to see, see, see, see, see. 
* Theorie des signes. 
Vou. VIII.—No. 2 45 
