SHOSHONI, OR SNAKE.

The forefinger is extended horizontally and passed along forward in a serpentine line. (Long.)

Right hand closed, palm down, placed in front of the right hip; extend the index and push it diagonally toward the left front, rotating it quickly from side to side in doing so. (Absaroka I; Shoshoni and Banak I.) “Snake.”  Fig. 297.

[Illustration:  Fig. 297.]

Right hand, horizontal, flat, palm downward (W), advanced to the front by a motion to represent the crawling of a snake. (Dakota III.)

With the right index pointing forward, the hand is to be moved forward about a foot in a sinuous manner, to imitate the crawling of a snake.  Also made by the Arapahos. (Dakota IV.)

Place the closed right hand, palm down, in front of the right hip; extend the index, and move it forward and toward the left, rotating the hand and finger from side to side in doing so. (Kaiowa I; Comanche II, III; Apache II; Wichita II.)

Make the motion of a serpent with the right finger. (Kutine I.)

Close the right hand, leaving the index only extended and pointing forward, palm to the left, then move it forward and to the left. (Pai-Ute I.) The rotary motion of the hand does not occur in this description, which in this respect differs from the other authorities.

——­, Sheepeater.  Tukuarikai.

Both hands, half closed, pass from the top of the ears backward, downward, and forward, in a curve, to represent a ram’s horns; then, with the index only extended and curved, place the hand above and in front of the mouth, back toward the face, and pass it downward and backward several times. (Shoshoni and Banak I.) “Sheep,” and “to eat.”

SIHASAPA.  SEE UNDER DAKOTA.

SIOUX.  SEE DAKOTA.

TENNANAH.

Right hand hollowed, lifted to mouth, and describing waving line gradually descending from right to left; left hand describing mountainous outline, one peak rising above the other. (Kutchin I.)” Mountain-river-men.”

UTE.

“They who live on mountains” have a complicated sign which denotes “living in mountains,” and is composed of the signs SIT and MOUNTAIN. (Burton.)

Rub the back of the extended flat left hand with the extended fingers of the right, then touch some black object.  Represents black skin.  Although the same sign is generally used to signify negro, an addition is sometimes made as follows:  place the index and second fingers to the hair on the right side of the head, and rub them against each other to signify curly hair.  This addition is only made when the connection would cause a confusion between the “black skin” Indian (Ute) and negro. (Arapaho II; Cheyenne V.)

Left hand horizontal, flat, palm downward, and with the fingers of the right hand brush the other toward the wrist. (Dakota III.)