If they have but one to express, they use the forefinger of either hand, pronouncing at the same time the proper word.

The Bahnars,[14] one of the native tribes of the interior of Cochin China, exhibit no particular order in the sequence of fingers used, though they employ their digits freely to assist them in counting.

Among certain of the negro tribes of South Africa[15] the little finger of the right hand is used for 1, and their count proceeds from right to left.

With them, 6 is the thumb of the left hand, 7 the forefinger, and so on.

They hold the palm downward instead of upward, and thus form a complete and striking exception to the law which has been found to obtain with such substantial uniformity in other parts of the uncivilized world.