LANGUAGES OF THE KILIMA-NJAJRO DISTRICT. 467 
the demonstrative pronouns where it forms the plural 
(Jcu-na, hu-lo , Icu-lde , &c.). It is evidently an old 
plural prefix of neuter gender. There are no “ cases ” 
distinguishable in the Masai noun, but when it is used 
in a “ vocative ” sense the definite article is dropped 
and the class prefix substituted. Thus, in addressing 
children you say “ Na-hera ! ” “ Oh, children ! ” 
instead of Eh-lcera , “the children,” “ O-dunani! ” 
66 Oh, man ! 9 9 66 Eiboni ! ” “ Oh, chief! ” 
It is difficult to treat of the Masai verb without 
entering somewhat into the question of the construc¬ 
tion of the Masai language. 
I believe that it is possible to trace most of the 
fundamental ideas which form the base of this speech 
to monosyllabic roots. Many of these are still existing 
in their primitive form, side by side with their poly¬ 
syllabic variants, and it is not difficult to guess at the 
agglutinative processes which have built up the struc¬ 
ture of the language. 
The particles which are used to form the different con¬ 
cepts that are built up from a single root may be placed 
before or after the stem. Sometimes they consist of in¬ 
dependent verbal roots, prefixed or affixed, or they may 
be simple reduplications of the primitive idea with a view 
of intensifying it, or adverbial or prepositional prefixes, 
or affixed particles used in a passive sense, and so on. 
An example will better illustrate my meaning. 
From the root, ud, “ digging, boring, hollowing,” 
is derived— 
eng-McZ-nk (eng. = the art. fern. 
(“the month ”) ud = the root. 
uk another stem, meaning “ shining, glit¬ 
tering ; ” therefore 
eng-M(i-uk means the glittering cavity, viz. “ the 
mouth.”) 
h h 2 
