Place the right hand, palm down, before the right side of the chest; place the tips of the second and third fingers against the ball of the thumb, allowing the index and little fingers to project to represent the ears. Fig. 265. Frequently the middle fingers extend equally with and against the thumb, forming the head of the animal, the ears always being represented by the two outer fingers, viz, the index and little finger. Fig. 266. (Ute I.) A similar sign is reported by Colonel Dodge as used by the Utes.
Elevate the right hand, extended, with fingers joined, outer edge toward the ground, in front of the body or right shoulder, and pointing forward, resting the curved thumb against the palmar side of the index. This sign appears also to signify animal generically, being frequently employed as a preliminary sign when denoting other species. (Apache I.)
Deaf-mute natural signs:
Imitate the motion of the elbows of a man on horseback. (Ballard.)
Act in the manner of a driver, holding the lines in his hands and shouting to the horse. (Cross.)
Move the hands several times as if to hold the reins. (Larson.)
Deaf-mute signs:
The French deaf-mutes add to the straddling of the index the motion of a trot. American deaf-mutes indicate the ears by placing two fingers of each hand on each side of the head and moving them backward and forward. This is sometimes followed by straddling the left hand by the fore and middle fingers of the right.
——, A man on a.
Same sign as for Horse, with the addition of erecting the thumb while making the gesture. (Dodge.)