Part 4 (2/2)

In the Choctaw language[95] the relation between 2 and 7, and 3 and 8, is no less clear. Here the words are:

2. tuklo. 7. untuklo.

3. tuchina. 8. untuchina.

The Nez Perces[96] repeat the first three words of their scale in their 6, 7, and 8 respectively, as a comparison of these numerals will show.

1. naks. 6. oilaks.

2. lapit. 7. oinapt.

3. mitat. 8. oimatat.

In all these cases the essential point of the method is contained in the repet.i.tion, in one way or another, of the numerals of the second quinate, without the use with each one of the word for 5. This may make 6, 7, 8, and 9 appear as second 1, second 2, etc., or another 1, another 2, etc.; or, more simply still, as 1 more, 2 more, etc. It is the method which was briefly discussed in the early part of the present chapter, and is by no means uncommon. In a decimal scale this repet.i.tion would begin with 11 instead of 6; as in the system found in use in Tagala and Pampanaga, two of the Philippine Islands, where, for example, 11, 12, and 13 are:[97]

11. labi-n-isa = over 1.

12. labi-n-dalaua = over 2.

13. labi-n-tatlo = over 3.

A precisely similar method of numeral building is used by some of our Western Indian tribes. Selecting a few of the a.s.siniboine numerals[98] as an ill.u.s.tration, we have

11. ak kai washe = more 1.

12. ak kai noom pah = more 2.

13. ak kai yam me nee = more 3.

14. ak kai to pah = more 4.

15. ak kai zap tah = more 5.

16. ak kai shak pah = more 6, etc.

A still more primitive structure is shown in the numerals of the Mboushas[99] of Equatorial Africa. Instead of using 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, or 2d 1, 2d 2, 2d 3, 2d 4, in forming their numerals from 6 to 9, they proceed in the following remarkable and, at first thought, inexplicable manner to form their compound numerals:

1. ivoco.

2. beba.

3. belalo.

4. benai.

5. betano.

6. ivoco beba = 1-2.

7. ivoco belalo = 1-3.

8. ivoco benai = 1-4.

9. ivoco betano = 1-5.

10. dioum.

No explanation is given by Mr. du Chaillu for such an apparently incomprehensible form of expression as, for example, 1-3, for 7. Some peculiar finger pantomime may accompany the counting, which, were it known, would enlighten us on the Mbousha's method of arriving at so anomalous a scale. Mere repet.i.tion in the second quinate of the words used in the first might readily be explained by supposing the use of fingers absolutely indispensable as an aid to counting, and that a certain word would have one meaning when a.s.sociated with a certain finger of the left hand, and another meaning when a.s.sociated with one of the fingers of the right. Such scales are, if the following are correct, actually in existence among the islands of the Pacific.

BALAD.[100] UEA.[100]

1. parai. 1. tahi.

2. paroo. 2. lua.

3. pargen. 3. tolu.

4. parbai. 4. fa.

5. panim. 5. lima.

6. parai. 6. tahi.

7. paroo. 7. lua.

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