Among South American vigesimal systems, the best known is that of the
Chibchas or Muyscas of the Bogota region, which was obtained at an early
date by the missionaries who laboured among them. This system is much less
extensive than that of some of the more northern races; but it is as
extensive as almost any other South American system with the exception of
the Peruvian, which was, however, a pure decimal system. As has already
been stated, the native races of South America were, as a rule, exceedingly
deficient in regard to the number sense. Their scales are rude, and show
great poverty, both in formation of numeral words and in the actual extent
to which counting was carried. If extended as far as 20, these scales are
likely to become vigesimal, but many stop far short of that limit, and no
inconsiderable number of them fail to reach even 5. In this respect we are
reminded of the Australian scales, which were so rudimentary as really to
preclude any proper use of the word "system" in connection with them.
Counting among the South American tribes was often equally limited, and
even less regular. Following are the significant numerals of the scale in
question:

CHIBCHA, OR MUYSCA.[371]

10. hubchibica.
20. quihica ubchihica = thus says the foot, 10 = 10-10,
or gueta = house.
30. guetas asaqui ubchihica = 20 + 10.
40. gue-bosa = 20 x 2.
60. gue-mica = 20 x 3.
80. gue-muyhica = 20 x 4.
100. gue-hisca = 20 x 5.

NAGRANDA.[372]

10. guha.
20. dino.
30. 'badinoguhanu = 20 + 10.
40. apudino = 2 x 20.
50. apudinoguhanu = 2 x 20 + 10.
60. asudino = 3 x 20.
70. asudinoguhanu = 3 x 20 + 10.
80. acudino = 4 x 20.
90. acudinoguhanu = 4 x 20 + 10.
100. huisudino = 5 x 20,
or guhamba = great 10.
200. guahadino = 10 x 20.
400. dinoamba = great 20.
1000. guhaisudino = 10 x 5 x 20.
2000. hisudinoamba = 5 great 20's.
4000. guhadinoamba = 10 great 20's.

In considering the influence on the manners and customs of any people which
could properly be ascribed to the use among them of any other base than 10,
it must not be forgotten that no races, save those using that base, have
ever attained any great degree of civilization, with the exception of the
ancient Aztecs and their immediate neighbours, north and south. For reasons
already pointed out,