V—Arched, joined, thumb resting near end of forefinger, downward. W—Hand horizontal, flat, palm downward.
X—Hand horizontal, flat, palm upward. Y—Naturally relaxed, normal; used when hand simply follows arm with no intentional disposition.

Fig. 342b.

NOTE CONCERNING THE FOREGOING TYPES.

The positions are given as they appear to an observer facing the gesturer, and are designed to show the relations of the fingers to the hand rather than the positions of the hand relative to the body, which must be shown by the outlines (see Outlines of Arm Positions) or description. The right and left hands are figured above without discrimination, but in description or reference the right hand will be understood when the left is not specified. The hands as figured can also with proper intimation be applied with changes either upward, downward, or inclined to either side, so long as the relative positions of the fingers are retained, and when in that respect no one of the types exactly corresponds with a sign observed, modifications may be made by pen or pencil on that one of the types, or a tracing of it, found most convenient, as indicated in the Examples, and referred to by the letter of the alphabet under the type changed, with the addition of a numeral—e.g., A 1, and if that type, i.e., A, were changed a second time by the observer (which change would necessarily be drawn on another sheet of types or another tracing of a type selected when there are no sheets provided), it should be referred to as A 2.

[ EXAMPLES.]


Fig. 343.

Word or idea expressed by sign: To cut, with an ax.
DESCRIPTION.

With the right hand flattened (X changed to right instead of left),palm upward, move it downward to the left side repeatedly from differentelevations, ending each stroke at the same point. Fig. 343.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

From the act of felling a tree.


Fig. 344.

Word or idea expressed by sign: A lie.
DESCRIPTION.

Touch the left breast over the heart, and pass the hand forward fromthe mouth, the two first fingers only being extended and slightlyseparated (L, 1—with thumb resting on third finger, Fig.344a). Fig. 344.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

Double-tongued.


L 1, Fig. 344a.


Fig. 345.

Word or idea expressed by sign: To ride.
DESCRIPTION.

Place the first two fingers of the right hand, thumb extended(N 1, Fig. 345a) downward, astraddle the first two joined andstraight fingers of the left (T 1, Fig. 345b), sidewise, to theright, then make several short, arched movements forward with hands sojoined. Fig. 345.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

The horse mounted and in motion.


N 1, Fig. 345a.


T 1, Fig. 345b.


Fig. 346.

Word or idea expressed by signs: I am going home.
DESCRIPTION.

(1) Touch the middle of the breast with the extended index (K), then(2) pass it slowly downward and outward to the right, and when thehand is at arm’s length, at the height of the shoulder, (3) clinchit (A) suddenly and throw it edgewise toward the ground. Fig. 346.

CONCEPTION OR ORIGIN.

(1) I, personality; (2) motion and direction; (3) locality of mypossessions—home.

EXPLANATION OF MARKS.

The following indicative marks are used in the above examples:

. . . . . . . . . . . Dotted lines indicate movements to place the hand and arm in position to commence the sign and not forming part of it.

- - - - - - - - - - Short dashes indicate the course of hand employed in the sign, when made rapidly.