Page:Native Tribes of South-East Australia.djvu/753

XI endeavour to give such a translation in signs as seems to him best to express the reply to the question put to him.

I have not been able to do more than superficially touch upon this subject. I have recorded the few data which I have been able to obtain, and it is to be hoped that those who are in a position to do so will more fully investigate and record at least one complete system. Central Australia seems to be best suited for this, where the aborigines have apparently more fully developed the use of gestures than in other parts of Australia. Here follow some of the signs:—

All.—Hold out the clenched hands and open and shut them several times (Wurunjerri).

All gone.—Extend both hand and arms, as if in the act of swimming, then point in the direction in which they have gone (Died). Hold out both hands with widely extended fingers, and the palms downward, in the direction in which they have gone (Aldolinga).

All right.— Hold the hand out, palm upwards, and describe several horizontal circles with it (Aldolinga). Nod the head twice (Kuriwalu).

Anger.—Pout the lips out (Dieri).

Above.—The head is bent back and the eyes look upwards, the right hand being held higher than the head and above it (Dieri).

Attention.—Hold up the open hand, palm outwards, and move it once or twice up and down (Wurunjerri). Wave the open hand, palm upwards, several times towards the body (Kuriwalu).

Bad (meaning "decayed").—Avert the face and screw up the mouth and nose as if in disgust (Dieri). Shake the head and blow through the nostrils (Eucla).

Before.—Point forwards and a little downwards with the right hand and forefinger (Aldolinga). Point with the hand in front downwards (Dieri) ; also, the hand being held level with the waist, move it to the front (Dieri).