1855.] Notes on the Languages spoken hy the Mi-Shmis. 813 



4 3 2 1 



Bring the rice from the basket. 



12 3 4 



E tappe maclii Kade-gadya, 



4 3 2 1 



How far is the river from this ? 

 In ordinary conversation these particles are frequently omitted, 

 where the sense can be ascertained without them. 



1 2 3 3 2 1 



Haban ta my a a ? Is there a tiger in the jungle ? 

 Eya, Bidega, There is. Fear not. 



Tamya elapi ha onde, If there is a tiger I shall shoot him. 

 Nyo mpo tawan thui aha ? Are your arrows poisoned ? or liter- 

 ally, Have you any poison in your qitiver of arrows? 



The Language oe the Mi jhu Mi-shmis. 

 Of Nouns. 



Gender. — This language possesses a variety of substantive terms, 

 sufficient to denote all that is needful in the distinction of sex 

 among human beings. Thus : 



Ktchong, Man ; Kmai, Woman. 



Kepai, Father ; Mum, Mother. 



Sha, Son ; Kmai sha, Daughter. 



Tchep-mai, Brother ; Ke-tchep mai, Sister. 



Kesa, Boy ; Mai-sa, Girl. 



In the case of the inferior animals, the difference of gender is 

 denoted by the terms JNga-long, male, and Kmai, female, appended 

 to the noun Egj. 



Mascidine. Feminine. 



Manyong, an elephant ; Manyong nga long, Manyong Kmai. 



Toppu, a tiger ; Toppu nga long, Toppu Kmai. 



Kampai, a goat ; Kampai nga long, Kampai Kmai. 



Leh, a hog ; Leh nga long, Leh Kmai. 



The only exception to this rule occurs, as we have noticed also in 

 the language of the Taying Mishmis, in the case of the domestic 

 fowl Kai. Male, Kai apai. Female, Kai Kmai. 



Number. — The noun admits of no plural form, in those instances 

 in which the noun does not express a collective or a plural idea, a 

 numeral added to it renders the expression sufficiently intelligible. 



