1907-8.] 
A Note on the Homan Numerals. 
179 
graphic sign for this gesture in considerable detail, on account of the 
obscurity of its origin and the varied history of its form. The evolu- 
tion of the remaining signs may be treated more briefly. 
IV. (50-100). Again we proceed as before, by successive repetitions 
from the earlier series of gestures, until the natural limit of the new 
progression is reached, as L, LX, LXX, LXXX, LXXXX, LXXXXX. 
Now, the extended-arms position cannot be employed to signify the 
completion of this series of five similar gestures, for that position has 
already acquired a particular significance and value. The only avail- 
able gesture, therefore, is that of the right arm moving into (if the 
expression be allowed) the “ teapot-handle ” position ; this movement, 
being a true gesture, is capable of being repeated. The conventional 
symbol for it would be approximately <,*• and, as such, would readily 
be assimilated to, and represented by, the early form of the Latin C. 
The gesture which this C represented signified the completion of the 
preceding series of five similar gestures (viz. the gestures corresponding 
to the signs LXXXXX), and thus it would inevitably acquire the value 
of that series and ultimately supersede it. In this way <, i.e. C, 
acquired the value of 100. 
Y. (100-500). Again, C, being a true gesture, can be repeated until 
the natural limit is reached, as C, CC, CCC, CCCC, CCCCC. No 
further movement of the right arm is available, as a value has already 
been allotted to each possible gesture ; nor can the left arm be anew 
extended, crossed, or raised, for a similar reason. The only method of 
signifying the completion of this series of five similar gestures is, 
therefore, to put the left arm in the same “ teapot-handle ” position. 
As this was only a position, and did not undergo transition to a 
movement or gesture, it would be denoted as a position, i.e. the 
upright stroke for the body (cf. the upright wedge | which precedes 
all names of men in Assyrian cuneiforms) would be included in the 
symbol. This gives us the form l>, which, as all the earlier symbols 
acquired alphabetic representation, would readily approximate to t>, 
* It may be inferred that, at this elementary stage, when the values 500 and 1000 had 
not been evolved nor had any signs been allotted to them, the highest known denomination, 
viz. 100, would monopolise the total symbol for “man” (see p. 181). This inference is 
corroborated by the fact that the sign for 100 occurs in the cognate Etruscan system as (££) ; 
and one may assume that not until the higher values 500 and 1000 were evolved was the 
Koman sign for 100 differentiated from the sign for “man,” which was thus set free to 
represent 1000. An analogy may be found in the fact that, while many tribes use the term 
“man” to denote 20 (i.e. the fingers and toes), the Tasmanians actually reach the limit of 
“man” with one hand (i.e. 5). See Tylor, Primitive Culture , 4th ed., London, 1903, i. 242-264. 
