Rocky Mountains. 381 



17. The discharging- of a gun — Is indicated by slapping 

 the back of the right hand partially closed, into the palm of 

 the left. 



18. Death — By throwing the fore finger from the per- 

 pendicular, into a horizontal position towards the earth, with 

 the back downwards. 



19. Killing — The hands are held with the edge upwards, 

 and the right hand strikes the other transversely, as in the 

 act of chopping- This sign seems to be more particularly ap- 

 plicable to convey the idea of death, produced by a blow of 

 the tomahawk or war-club. 



20.. Bison — The two fore fingers are placed near the ears, 

 projecting, so as to represent the horns of the animal. 



21. Surrounding the Bison — The sign No. 20, is first 

 made, the hands with the fore fingers and thumbs in a semi- 

 circle, are then brought two or three times together. 



22. Discharging the arrow — The hands are placed as in 

 the attitude of drawing the arrow in the bow, (this is also 

 the sign for the bow) and its departure is indicated by spring- 

 ing the fingers from the thumbs, as in the act of sprinkling 

 water. 



23. To speak — The motion is like sprinkling water from 

 the mouth by springing the fore finger from the thumb, the 

 hand following a s"hort distance from the mouth at each re- 

 silience, to show the direction of the word, or to whom it is 

 addressed; this motion is repeated three or four times. 



24. Haranguing — The above motion repeated rapidly, the 

 hand at each motion pursuing a different direction, to show 

 that the talk is addressed to various persons. 



25. §>iiantity, or great number — The hands and arms are 

 passed in a curvilinear direction outwards and downwards, 

 as if we were showing the form of a large globe; then the 

 hands are closed and elevated, as if something was grasped 

 in each hand, and held up about as high as the face. 



26. Exchange — The two fore fingers are extended per- 



