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Show DEATH, DEAD. 21 ing the sign for day as above ( McChesney), which is used to complete the sign for to- day. ( McChesney.) Death, dead. Seven signs. 1. Right hand, fingers front at height of stomach, then, with a sort of flop, throw the hand over with the palm up, finger pointing a little to the right and front, hand held horizontal. ( Brisbin.) " Upset, keeled over." 2. Left hand flattened and held, back upward, thumb inward, in front of and a few inches from the breast; right hand slightly clasped, forefinger more extended than the others, and passed suddenly under the left hand, the latter being at the same time gently moved toward the breast. ( Titchke-mdtski.) •' Gone under." 3. Hold the left hand flat against the face, back outward; then pass the right hand, held in the same manner, under the left, striking and touching it lightly. ( Wied.) The same idea of " under " or " burial," quite differently executed. Dr. McChesney, however, conjectures this sign to be that of wonder or surprise at hearing of a death, but not a distinct sign for the latter. 4. Throw the forefinger from the perpendicular into a horizontal position toward the earth with the back downward. { Long.) 5. Place the left forefinger and thumb against the heart, act as if taking a hair from the thumb and forefinger of the left hand with the forefinger and thumb of the right and slowly cast it from you, only letting the left hand remain at the heart, and* let the index- finger of the right hand point outward toward the distant horizon. ( Holt.) 6. Palm of hand upward, then a wave- like motion toward the ground. ( Ealy.) 7. Place the palm of the hand at a short distance from the side of the head, then withdraw it gently in an oblique downward direction, inclining the head and tipper part of the body in the same direction. ( JacJcer.) The last authority notes that there is an apparent connection between this conception and execution and the etymology of the corresponding terms in Ojibwa: " he dies," is nibo; " he sleeps," is niba. The common idea expressed by the gesture is a sinking to rest The original significance of the root nib seems to be " leaning;" anibeia, " it is leaning;" anibehweni, " he inclines the head sidewards." The word niba or nibe ( only in compounds) |
