Among others, the scale of the Pigmies of Central Africa[103] and that of
the Mosquitos[104] of Central America show this tendency. In the Pigmy
scale the words for 1 and 6 are so closely akin that one cannot resist the
impression that 6 was to them a new 1, and was thus named.


MOSQUITO. PIGMY.

1. kumi. ujju.
2. wal. ibari.
3. niupa. ikaro.
4. wal-wal = 2-2. ikwanganya.
5. mata-sip = fingers of 1 hand. bumuti.
6. matlalkabe. ijju.
7. matlalkabe pura kumi = 6 and 1. bumutti-na-ibali = 5 and 2.
8. matlalkabe pura wal = 6 and 2. bumutti-na-ikaro = 5 and 3.
9. matlalkabe pura niupa = 6 and 3. bumutti-na-ikwanganya = 5 and 4.
10. mata wal sip = fingers of 2 hands. mabo = half man.

The Mosquito scale is quite exceptional in forming 7, 8, and 9 from 6,
instead of from 5. The usual method, where combinations appear between 6
and 10, is exhibited by the Pigmy scale. Still another species of numeral
form, quite different from any that have already been noticed, is found in
the Yoruba[105] scale, which is in many respects one of the most peculiar
in existence. Here the words for 11, 12, etc., are formed by adding the
suffix _-la_, great, to the words for 1, 2, etc., thus:

1. eni, or okan.
2. edzi.
3. eta.