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 repetition 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 associated with a certain finger of the left hand, and another
meaning when associated 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.