Sometimes the finger gives a name not its own to the numeral with which it is associated in counting--as in the Chippeway dialect, which has _nawi-nindj_, middle of the hand, and _nisswi_, 3; and the Cheyenne, where _notoyos_, middle finger, and _na-nohhtu_, 8, are closely related.

In other parts of the world isolated examples of the transference of finger names to numerals are also found.

Of these a well-known example is furnished by the Zulu numerals, where "_tatisitupa_, taking the thumb, becomes a numeral for six.
Then the verb _komba_, to point, indicating the forefinger, or 'pointer,' makes the next numeral, seven.

Thus, answering the question, 'How much did your master give you ?' a Zulu would say, '_U kombile_,' 'He pointed with his forefinger,' _i.e._ 'He gave me seven'; and this curious way of using the numeral verb is also shown in such an example as '_amahasi akombile_,' 'the horses have pointed,' _i.e._ 'there were seven of them.' In like manner, _Kijangalobili_, 'keep back two fingers,' _i.e._ eight, and _Kijangalolunje_, 'keep back one finger,' _i.e._ nine, lead on to _kumi_, ten."[87] Returning for a moment to the consideration of number systems in the formation of which the influence of the hand has been paramount, we find still further variations of the method already noticed of constructing names for the fives, tens, and twenties, as well as for the intermediate numbers.

Instead of the simple words "hand," "foot," etc., we not infrequently meet with some paraphrase for one or for all these terms, the derivation of which is unmistakable.