304 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



slav (speaker) , as contradistinguished by the Russians from the Germans, whom 

 they stigmatize as NJemez (tongueless). 



The theory that sign language was the original utterance of mankind does 

 not depend upon such tales or prejudices. After the immeasurable period during 

 which man has been upon the earth, it is not probable that any existing peoples 

 can be found among whom speech has not obviated the absolute necessity for 

 gesture in communication between themselves. 



The assertion made that the sign language of Indians originated from some 

 non-defined tribe or region supposes its comparatively recent origin, whereas the 

 conditions favorable to its development existed very long ago and were co-exten- 

 sive with the territory of North America occupied by any of the tribes. Numer- 

 ous evidences were presented as to its antiquity and generality. But the signs 

 are not now, and from the nature of their formation never were, identical and 

 uniform. The process is the same as among the uninstructed deaf mutes when 

 associated together, which was explained. 



A comparison sometimes made of the diversities of the sign language of the 

 Indians with the dialects and provincialisms of the English language, is incorrect, 

 as there is so small a proportion of the sign-using tribes which make identically 

 the same signs, express the same ideas, and also because the signs are not absolute 

 and arbitrary as are the words of English. 



Sign language, as a product of evolution, has been developed rather than 

 invented, but each of the separate signs had a definite origin arising out of some 

 appropriate occasion, and the same sign may thus have had many different origins 

 due to identity in the circumstances. No signs in common use were at first con- 

 ventional. What may appear to be conventional largely consists in the differing 

 forms of abbreviation which have been adopted. Yet, while all Indians, as well 

 as all gesturing men, have many signs in common, they use many others which 

 have become conventional in the sense that their etymology and conception are 

 not now known or regarded by those using them. The conventions by which 

 such signs were established, occurred during long periods and under many differ- 

 ing circumstances. Our Indians, far from being a homogeneous race and possess- 

 ing uniformity in their language, religions and customs, differ from each other 

 more than all the several nations of Europe, and their semiotic conceptions have 

 correspondingly differed. 



Instances were presented of the ascertained permanence of some Indian 

 signs, and those of foreign peoples and deaf mutes. Tliough they, as well as 

 words, animals and plants, have had their growth, development and change, 

 those which are general both among Indian tribes, and are also found in other 

 parts of the world, must be of great antiquity. Many signs but little differen- 

 tiated were unstable, while others that have proved to be the best modes of ex- 

 pression have survived as definite and established. 



The Indian system as a whole was compared with those of foreign peoples — 

 the ancient Greeks and Romans, the modern Italians, the Turks, Armenians and 



