throughout the structure of the language, constituting indeed its fundamental In the plural only of the substantive principle. is the One set of adjective symbols express adjective indicated. the ideas peculiarly appropriate to animates, and another set is

exclusively applicable to inanimates.

Good and bad, black and

white, great and small, handsome and ugly, have such modifica tions as are practically competent to indicate the general nature

of the objects referred to, whether provided with, or destitute And not only so, but by the figurative

of, the vital principle.

use of these forms, to exalt inanimate masses into the class of living beings, or to strip the latter of the properties of life.

Examples illustrating this principle are quoted, and explained in complex and simple forms. the latter, it is said Ask a

Of

:

name for a rock, and he will answer, auzbebik. Ask him the name for red rock, and he will answer, miskwauChippewa the bik ;

for white rock, waubaubik ; for black rock, mukkuddawaubik ; for bright rock, wassyaubik ; for yellow rock, ozabwaubik ; for green rock, ozahw ushkwaubik ; for smooth shoisbkrock,

waubik, etc., compounds in which the words, red, white, black yellow, etc., unite with aubik.

HUDSON RIVER INDIANS.

Let this mode of interrogation be continued, and -extended to other adjectives, or the same adjectives applied to other objects, and results equally regular and numerous will appear.

we shall be told, is an island

;

Minnis,

miskominnis, a red island ;

mukkuddaminnis, a black island, etc. Annokwut, is a cloud ; miskwaunakwut, a red cloud j waubabnokwut, a white cloud, etc.