5. mi biche misa = one hand.
  10. mikriba misa sai = both hands.
  20. mikriba misa idecho ibi sai = both hands together with the feet.

Illustrations of this kind might be multiplied almost indefinitely; and it is well to note that they may be drawn from all parts of the world.  South America is peculiarly rich in native numeral words of this kind; and, as the examples above cited show, it is the field to which one instinctively turns when this subject is under discussion.  The Zamuco numerals are, among others, exceedingly interesting, giving us still a new variation in method.  They are[77]

   1. tsomara.
   2. gar.
   3. gadiok.
   4. gahagani.
   5. tsuena yimana-ite = ended 1 hand.
   6. tsomara-hi = 1 on the other.
   7. gari-hi = 2 on the other.
   8. gadiog-ihi = 3 on the other.
   9. gahagani-hi = 4 on the other.
  10. tsuena yimana-die = ended both hands.
  11. tsomara yiri-tie = 1 on the foot.
  12. gar yiritie = 2 on the foot.
  20. tsuena yiri-die = ended both feet.

As is here indicated, the form of progression from 5 to 10, which we should expect to be “hand-1,” or “hand-and-1,” or some kindred expression, signifying that one hand had been completed, is simply “1 on the other.”  Again, the expressions for 11, 12, etc., are merely “1 on the foot,” “2 on the foot,” etc., while 20 is “both feet ended.”

An equally interesting scale is furnished by the language of the Maipures[78] of the Orinoco, who count

   1. papita.
   2. avanume.
   3. apekiva.
   4. apekipaki.
   5. papitaerri capiti = 1 only hand.
   6. papita yana pauria capiti purena = 1 of the other hand we take.
  10. apanumerri capiti = 2 hands.
  11. papita yana kiti purena = 1 of the toes we take.
  20. papita camonee = 1 man.
  40. avanume camonee = 2 men.
  60. apekiva camonee = 3 men, etc.

In all the examples thus far given, 20 is expressed either by the equivalent of “man” or by some formula introducing the word “feet.”  Both these modes of expressing what our own ancestors termed a “score,” are so common that one hesitates to say which is of the more frequent use.  The following scale, from one of the Betoya dialects[79] of South America, is quite remarkable among digital scales, making no use of either “man” or “foot,” but reckoning solely by fives, or hands, as the numerals indicate.

   1. tey.
   2. cayapa.
   3. toazumba.
   4. cajezea = 2 with plural termination.
   5. teente = hand.
   6. teyentetey = hand + 1.
   7. teyente cayapa = hand + 2.
   8. teyente toazumba = hand + 3.
   9. teyente caesea = hand + 4.
  10. caya ente, or caya huena = 2 hands.
  11. caya ente-tey = 2 hands + 1.
  15. toazumba-ente = 3 hands.
  16. toazumba-ente-tey = 3 hands + 1.
  20. caesea ente = 4 hands.