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In Ute the name for bear is "he seizes," or "the hugger." In this case the verb is used for the noun, and in so doing the Indian names the bear by predicating one of his characteristics. Thus noun and verb are undifferentiated.

— John Wesley Powell Introduction to the Study of Indian Languages (1880)

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The verb is relatively of much greater importance in an Indian tongue than in a civilized language.

Introduction to the Study of Indian Languages (1880)

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Honest investigation is but the application of common sense to the solution of the unknown. Science does not wait on Genius, but is the companion of Industry.

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In my supposed death I had attained to a glory which I fear my continued life has not fully vindicated.

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Indian nouns are extremely connotive; that is, the name does more than simply denote the thing to which it belongs; in denoting the object, it also assigns to it some quality or characteristic.

Introduction to the Study of Indian Languages (1880)

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